Gymnastics – Flintshire’s finest sweep the board

Dec 12 2008 by Paul Wheelock, Flintshire Chronicle

COUNTY stars cleaned up at the Welsh Gymnastics National Awards dinner.

The gala night at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff was a celebration and recognition of the achievements, dedication and hard work of Wales’ top gymnasts throughout the year.

And Flintshire’s finest had more reason to cheer than most.

Deeside Gymnastic Club’s Sharnah Evans won Tumbling Gymnast of the Year after helping Great Britain to a junior girls gold medal at the European Championships.

The role Deeside’s Ernie Cookson played in the 15-year-old from Queensferry’s development did not got unnoticed, either, as he was named Coach of the Year.

Katy Barley rounded off 12 months to remember by walking away with the Aerobics Gymnast of the Year honour.

The 19-year-old from Treuddyn starred for the Wales and GB senior women’s teams in 2008, with her highlights being when she claimed the senior individual female crown at the Welsh Open & Closed Aerobic Championships and when she finished fourth, higher than any other GB competitor, at the French Aerobic Gymnastics Open.

Saltney Gymnastics Club were jumping for joy after Emilie Hanley and Alex Scott were honoured for their exploits at home and abroad with the Acro Gymnast of the Year title.

And 20-year-old Melanie Roberts from Saltney, the recently retired Wales and GB star, was given the Audrey Bates Award in recognition of her achievements in women’s artistic gymnastics.