UK School Games 2011

The UK School Games gives unique opportuities for young athletes to take part in a multi sport event that mimics the situations you might find at an Olympic or Commonwealth Games. For Bristol Hawks gymnast Claudia Fragapane, who was selected as part of the England team, this was a new experience which she embraced fully. The opening ceremony; athletes village; workshops [eg. ’100% me’ [about being careful what you put into your body]; How to perform under pressure]; fun activities [Learning to drum; using the well equiped games room]; speaking to athlete mentors; dealing with travel arrangements etc. gave a whole new set of circumstances in which to compete. Claudia worked well for the team helping England to achieve the Silver medals behind a very strong Welsh team. Claudia placed 7th in the overall individual standings despite an uncharacteristic fall on her bar dismount. She produced a stunning beam to qualify for the finals in both this apparatus & also the floor. Shannon Lee, another Bristol Hawks gymnast was also in action at the games, producing a great performance in the polevault for Wales. Shannon has made great progress up the rankings in athletics since swopping sports and this just goes to show how valuable gymnastics is as a foundation sport.