Guernsey hopes in Hull, from left, Sarah Ozanne, Michael Sermon and Joanna Robinson. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0674172)
THE Guernsey trampolining squad are off to the Home Nations tournament for the first time at the weekend.
On Sunday in Hull, three local trampolinists will represent the Channel Islands as they take on the might of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in a grade-two standard competition.
Only grade one trampolinists go to the Olympics and Guernsey’s coach Jill Pritchard is apprehensive but excited about the challenges ahead.
‘It’s a big step up,’ said Pritchard, who is a PE teacher at St Peter Port School. ‘I’m very nervous about it. Guernsey teams do not normally get to go away and play the representative teams from the home nations.
‘But we’ve been working very hard. It’s brilliant. It’s a huge compliment just to be invited. For Great Britain [gymnastics] to ask if we’re bringing a team over was really nice.’
The team comprises 21-year-old Sarah Ozanne, who will compete in the over-15s women’s individual event and in the women’s synchronised competition with Joanna Robinson, 19.
Also travelling is Michael Sermon, a 15-year-old St Sampson’s High schoolboy who will compete in the over-15s men’s individuals.
Pritchard thinks they will hold their own but sees the English team as being by far the best on show.
‘I would expect England to wipe the board with everyone,’ she said.
‘With Northern Ireland and Scotland – I think we’ve got a very good chance against them. In Northern Ireland and Scotland the standard isn’t as high, but I think England’s will be very high.
‘Hopefully, in the synchronised, we’ll come in the middle of the order.’
Article posted on 21st November, 2008 - 2.29pm
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