WIRRAL gymnasts Hannah Saunders and Sian Foster have had plenty to celebrate after a successful 2007 but this year are set for an even busier time on the gymnastics floor after being selected in the National squad.
Recent successes in Stoke saw both young competitors round off the year in style with 12-year-old Hannah becoming British champion in the 11-12 year age group and nine-year-old Sian collecting bronze in the 9-10 age group.
After a well-earned rest over Christmas and New Year, both have a busy calendar ahead of them with the British Championships set to take place in March followed by a flurry of competitions over the summer.
Alan Foster, Sian’s father said: “Sian’s been training a lot since Christmas and recently travelled to Yorkshire to train with the National squad, which she is doing once a month to improve her skill level.”
Karen Martindale is currently training the two promising youngsters and is optimistic about 2008: “I hope Hannah will be able to retain her title in Stoke.
“She’s also in the national age group squad which is a good opportunity to train at the highest possible level and is an opportunity to compete in international competitions.”
The national squads meet every month at either Wakefield, Loughborough or Lilleshaw and both girls are to train with their respected age groups.
“There’s a busy schedule ahead and lots of training for both girls so good luck to them both for the year.” said Karen.
Last year, Hannah landed ninth place when representing Great Britain in the World Tumbling Championships in Quebec, Canada.
She later became British Champion, after competing in the British Tumbling Tournament in the 11/12 year age group in Stoke where she progressed to the finals and tumbled her way down the track to win the title.
In November last year Sian competed in the North West Women’s Artistic Championships in Warrington where she showed her skill on all pieces of apparatus, which includes floor, beam, vault and bars before walking away as the overall North West Champion.
“We are hoping this year will be more of the same, as last year was good all round.
I’m very proud and didn’t know what to expect when she competed in Stoke as it was the first time she had competed at a higher level age group.
“Sian proved everyone wrong when she qualified for the final and claimed a bronze medal.
“It was an unexpected and unbelievable result.” said her father Alan.
Alan also paid respect to Sian’s school, Cole Street Primary in Birkenhead: “If it wasn’t for them introducing her to the sport, she may not have got into gymnastics.”
