This weekend Birkenhead Trampoline Club took eight gymnasts and two coaches to Birmingham for the British Championship.
British championships DMT and Trampoline is the biggest event for the UKs best in the sport.
The athletes where Alfie (16), Beth (23), Declan (14), Isla (12), Jack (20), Lucy(23), Megan(17), and Theo (12).
All athletes had to qualify for this event in a competition held in June, so just achieving qualification was a massive achievement for them all. However, the weekend was one of the club’s most successful British Championships ever.
Seven Birkenhead Trampoline Club athletes took part in the double mini trampoline and Jack competed Trampoline.
Alfie , Beth, Declan, Megan, and Jack all made it through to the Top eight finals of their groups with the biggest group having 29 athletes in it.
Alfie and Declan started the day off in a fantastic Junior Boys aged 13-16 year old final. The top eight compete one pass to get into the top four final.
Declan produced a fantastic pass to place 5th which was incredible as he was competing against boys two years older than him. Alfie produced a stunning 1st pass to place him in the top four and then 2nd pass which awarded him the silver medal and just 0.2 away from the gold medal. This is Alfie’s first year back in the sport after a three-year break.
Next was Beth and Meg, who had already competed twice in order to get through to the finals on Sunday afternoon. These rounds were Qualifications (29 athletes), Semi Finals (top 12) and then the top eight compete in finals.
Both girls completed good first passes to place them both in the top four and in contenbtion for the medals. Beth went up first and with an uncharacteristic mistake lost some points on landing.
Megan was up last of the four and for 17 years old she really held her nerve. She stepped up to the runway and attacked her last pass. She performed beautifully and as we were walking away, the coaches knew she had won a medal, but didn’t know which one.
The scores came up and she had placed 1st. Megan was crowned the Senior British Champion 2023 in DMT, and Beth was placed 3rd.
The club had two senior ladies on the podium, which is a first, and a fantastic achievement. Head coach Sarah Madge was also rewarded for her support of the British Champion and joined the girls on the podium for her award.
Jack was on at the same time as the girls in the Disability trampoline category, he too produced clean routines to award him the British Champion in his category.
Jack is visually impaired and can barely see in front of him. To be able to do the routines that he can do is incredible and very brave. Jack was joined on the podium by his coach Phil O’Sullivan for his recognition for the support of the British champion.
Isla, Lucy, and Theo unfortunately didn’t make the top eight finals, but they all put in brilliant performances that we are all proud of and enjoyed their weekend.
Coach Sarah said, “ Wow what a weekend! We had such a fantastic time and not just for all the medals and achievements. The whole team of athletes, parents, coaches, and supporters really came together to support us, and it was so lovely to be part of it.
“I’m so proud of all the athletes and their achievements and thank them all for letting me be part of their journeys in this sport.”
Alfie, Beth, Declan, and Meg now have their eyes set on qualifying for the world and world age championship which is due to be held this November. It has been over 10 years since the UK hosted this event and the athletes are really excited to take part in a home championship should they gain a spot.
If you would like to join our team and enjoy our sport with us. Please email : sarahbtc@outlook.com 
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