The Pocklingtonian 2017/2018 | Page 77

SPORT// TRAMPOLINING TRAMPOLINING Pocklington School’s Under 13 girls’ trampolining team reached the finals of the National Schools Trampoline Championships, with team member Scarlett McMullen also qualifying as an individual. The team of Lucy Grewer (1st Year), Lucy Harrison-Little, Ally Law and Scarlett (all 2nd Year) qualified after finishing second in the Northern Zonal Finals in Huddersfield. Scarlett also finished second in the individual category – just 0.1 points behind the winner. The team also competed in the National Trampoline Finals in Newtownards, Northern Ireland in March. Games teacher i/c trampolining, Jan Kilsby, said: “This is a fantastic achievement – all the girls in the team performed brilliant routines and held their nerve to qualify. Scarlett produced an excellent set routine which gained a very high score in her category. They’ve all done exceptionally well.” The Prep School’s A team also competed in the Northern Zonal Finals, in the Under 11s category. Hannah Burt, Maisie Burt, Niamh Cowen and Isabelle Dimmack (all Year 5) were unlucky to miss out on reaching the National Finals after performing some great routines. Mrs Kilsby said: “Maisie Burt produced a sound voluntary routine and Hannah Burt pulled off a lovely set routine. Izzy and Niamh hit both their routines with a determination to succeed. Niamh should be congratulated on her ability to hold her nerve and to perform two solid good routines with good form, height and limited travel. All the girls performed brilliantly. Well done.” It is the first time Pocklington School Scarlett McMullen is the Under 13 Schools’ Novice Trampolining Champion after winning her category in the British Gymnastics National Schools’ Trampoline Finals. Pocklington School’s Under 13s team of Lucy Grewer (1st Year), Lucy Harrison- Little, Ally Law and Scarlett (all 2nd Year), were close runners-up in the U13 category at the same event, held in Northern Ireland at the beginning of the Easter holidays. Jan Kilsby, Games teacher i/c Trampolining, said: “I’m proud of Scarlett and the entire team for staying calm and focused in the highly charged atmosphere of a national final, and putting in wonderful performances. They’ve worked very hard and their success is well-deserved.” Almost 500 gymnasts from 160 schools has entered the Championships since 2014, and Mrs Kilsby said she was delighted with the way the teams had taken the competition in their stride. She added: “I’d like to thank the parents for all their amazing support leading up to the competitions and at the events themselves.” across the UK competed in the finals, at Newtownards Leisure Centre, after successfully completing two qualifying rounds. The gymnasts performed two trampoline routines – one “set” and one “voluntary” – and all Pocklington’s competitors performed without any mistakes. Mrs Kilsby said: “We knew Scarlett was among the leaders and that everyone in our team had performed well, but it was a very anxious wait while the scores were totted up. When the results were announced, the girls were delighted.” The trampolinists, supported by their families, have spent many hours practising for the competition, which began last November. Mrs Kilsby has dedicated a lot of her own time to helping the girls prepare, along with her daughter Kayleigh. Mr Kilsby also acted as an official at the competition. THE POCKLINGTONIAN 75