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Women's Artistic

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Welcome to Notts Gymnastics Academy, a dedicated training facility, with success from county to an international level of performance. Women's Artistic popularity amongst girls of all ages lies in it’s ability to provide constant challenge and teaches body control, coordination and courage.

Notts Gymnastics Academy is one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain, with a wealth of gymnasts achieving success at European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic Games. There are over 100 Women’s Artistic members ranging from our youngest gymnasts in the Foundation group, starting from as young as 4 years old, to our senior gymnasts competing at National and International level.

Women's Artistic covers four apparatus:

Vault (VT)

Gymnasts approach the vault table from a 25 metre run, transfer their speed to the springboard and seek a quick hand placement to the table. From here the gymnast uses internal spring to launch themselves vertically for a combination of somersaults and twists. A good vault should have good distance/height and include no steps on landing.

Uneven Bars (UB)

The Uneven Bars consists of two bars with the low bar 170cm in height and the high bar 250cm. The distance between the two bars is set at a maximum of 180cm. Swinging and continuous movements are required on this apparatus. Routines typically include movements in both directions as well as above and below the bars. Elements with twists and somersaults with multiple grip changes and high flight often are awarded with the highest scores.

Balance Beam (BB)

The beam stands 1.25 metres from the floor, is five metres long and only 10cm wide. The gymnast performs a combination of acrobatic elements, leaps, jumps, turns, steps, waves and balance elements. These can be done standing, sitting or lying on the beam. It is a requirement that the gymnast uses the entire length of the beam, with routines concluding with a dismount.

Floor Exercise (FX)

The floor area is 12m x 12m and is spring to allow gymnasts to perform a combination of dance movements and sequences interspersed with a variety of tumbling and acrobatic elements. A floor routine is always accompanied by music and the gymnast must use the whole floor area with clear variances in mood, tempo and direction. Individuality, originality, and artistry are the key ingredients of a great routine.

History

In April 1997, advanced gymnasts from Notts Bigwood and Rushcliffe Gym Clubs shared the newly built East Midlands Gymnastics Centre facility at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre in West Bridgford, Nottingham. They decided to join forces under the leadership of Head Coach, Claire Starkey. On April 1st 1998, a new club, Notts Gymnastics Club, was formed and affiliated to the governing body BGA. The gymnasts now compete at county, regional, national and international competitions. In 2010, Notts Gymnastics Club amalgamated with Notts School of Gymnastics (Boys), Notts Acro and Gymnastics for All disciplines to form Notts Gymnastics Academy.

Achievements

Notts has developed through the years and continues to build on its successes. Claire Starkey created the club in 1997 and our first Olympian, Amy Dodsley was selected for the 2004 Great Britain Olympic Team. Since then we have continued to enjoy success on the world stage with notable performances and selections including:

Becky Downie - Olympic team member for Beijing 2008, reserve for London 2012, team member for Rio 2016

Niamh Rippin - reserve for London 2012

Ellie Downie - Olympic team member for Rio 2016

All three gymnasts named above have been part of historic achievements for gymnastics in Great Britatin. Becky and Niamh were members of the 2010 European Silver Medal winning team. Becky and Ellie were key contributors to Great Britain's first ever world team medal taking bronze at 2015 World Championships in Glasgow. Ellie made history in 2017 by becoming the first British gymnast to win an all around gold medal at a Senior European Championships.

Our younger gymnasts are training hard to fulfil their potential and compete on the national and world stage.