DEERNESS Gymnastics Academy got their season off to a flying start when its young acrobats returned from the Regional NDP (National Development Program) Championships with five gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

The regional championships were held in South Shields when 23 acrobats from Deerness competed in seven different categories to earn the right to represent the region at national level.

All five combinations, 12 gymnasts in total, won gold and will now represent their club and the North at the national finals in May.

Gold: Grade 3 Men's Pair: Alec Lowes, 12, Gateshead and Jonathon Henderson, 10, Hexham, Grade 4 Men's Pair: William Bryson, 13, Durham and Matthew De Vallans Toor, 13, Durham, Grade 5 Women's Group: Evie Field, 14, Durham; Jenny Lawson, 13, Chester-le-Street; and Jennifer Murphy, 10, Spennymoor, Grade 6 Women's Group: Chloe Thompson, 17, Newcastle; Chelsea Nesbitt, 16, Sunderland; and Verity Kell, 11, Durham, Grade 4 Women's Pair: Cara Winship, 13, Hetton and Amelia Harrison, 10, Durham.

Silver: Grade 4 Women's Group: Abbie Thompson, 15, Newcastle; Kaira Farrier, 13 Durham; and Bracken Childs, 9, Durham.

Bronze: Grade 4 Women's Group: Rachel Fergus, 16, Washington; Anna Alderson, 17, Durham; and Lucy Stewart, 11, Durham

Grade 4 Men's Pair: Luke Neil, 14, Chester-le-Street and Louis Baxter, 13, School Aycliffe.

Fourth place: Grade 3 Women's Group: Ariana Dubov, 11, Chester-le-Street; Poppy Herring, 12, Durham; and Ebony Young, 10, Newton Aycliffe.

At the same event last year, ten acrobats from Deerness Gymnastics Academy won gold medals and went on to represent the North in the finals.

“These are great results for our developing gymnasts,” said Katie Lawton, acrobatics coach, Deerness Gymnastics Academy.

“Here at Deerness Gymnastics Academy we have a strong history as a competitive club and our young gymnasts have been working so hard to prepare for competition, and gaining the confidence and skills that participating in competitive events brings so its great to see their hard work and commitment resulting in success. which will hopefully inspire and encourage more people to get involved with the club.”

Over 600 of the region’s most promising gymnasts will compete in Durham this weekend as Deerness Gymnastics Academy host both an acrobatic and a tumbling regional gymnastics competition.

The two competitions, tumbling today and acrobatics tomorrow have attracted entries from over ten gymnastics clubs across County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

“We've had a great response to both of these competitions, with many clubs and gymnasts wanting to participate,” said Karl Wharton, director, Deerness Gymnastics Academy. “Competitions like this are a great way to introduce young gymnasts into the sport. Although Deerness Gymnastics Academy is known as a major club in GB gymnastics and home to World, European and British champions the club is also committed in helping to develop happy, healthy and confident children throughout the region.

“This club is very proud of its history in major competitions in both acrobatics and tumbling and it is very rewarding to see our gymnasts representing their country in both disciplines, but it’s also very important for novice and intermediate gymnasts to learn to display their talent and perform their skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.”