I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels as though March was both a life time, and just a few weeks ago all at once. In some ways it has seemed forever since the competitions stopped, the gym doors locked, and home training began.

Whilst it has been so impressive to watch how hard everyone has been training at home, in terms of actual gymnastics, its been a long slog for everyone since excitement at the imminent domestic and international competition season being upon us, turned to shock and disbelief as one by one events were cancelled, then resignation and stoicism at the challenge ahead.

In early to mid June we began to see those on the Tokyo squad return to training, Irish gymnasts could return from I believe the 17th of July, then on the 9th of July the government announced that from the 25th, gyms in England may finally reopen. The Welsh gymnasts had longer to wait, they have their announcement, and may return from the 10th of August, although some of the Welsh GB juniors are just this week to start back at the Cardiff centre. Scottish gymnasts have wait longer still, so frustrating for them I’m sure as they see others training again. Only those who are considered to be in contention to represent Scotland at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, have this week began to return

I know that training looks very different than it did before lockdown, but it’s a start and a much longed for step forward. I know not everyone’s gym has been allowed to open as yet, and it must be disheartening seeing others able to train. Hopefully very soon everyone will find themselves back again.

Tokyo 2021 is still set to go ahead at present, a year away, a year to prepare, a year to progress. For the first time in a long time we have some training footage to enjoy from the GB squad athletes, they look well rested as they begin to build once more.

Seniors Becky and Ellie Downie are back training at Notts.

 

 

 

Senior Alice Kinsella at Park Wrekin

 

 

Senior Georgia-Mae Fenton at South Essex

 

 

Senior Claudia Fragapane at Bristol Hawks 

 

 

Seniors Phoebe Jakubczyk and Ameile Morgan, and Junior Alice Sumners at The Academy

 

 

 

 

Senior Annie Young at Norfolk Academy 

 

Greenwich Royals senior Halle Hilton, and City of Birmingham junior Lucy Lewis at Lilleshall

 

Seniors Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, and Jessica Daykin, Espoir Lilli-Clo Thorpe-Richens  at Aylesbury 

 

Senior Emily Thomas at Clwb Cymru Caerdydd

 

Junior Ruby Stacey at Plymouth Swallows 

 

Espoir Tiegan Trafford at Abingdon