Damers have the balance of power (From Dorset Echo)

Damers have the balance of power

8:46am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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CHILDREN in years three and four at Damers First School, Dorchester, showed their flexibility, precision and balance as they took part in a gymnastics display – part of an ongoing programme in West Dorset.

The Key Steps display, which is on West Dorset School Sport Partnership’s schedule and co-ordinated by competition manager Gill Jones, saw the youngsters perform a combination of vaulting skills on two or three pieces of apparatus.

Springboards, tables and a vaulting box were used, with precision take-offs and landings required for the students to score top marks.

Gymnastics coach Jan Thorne said: “Some of the children have found the work difficult to perform, but I am really pleased with what they have achieved.” Families were invited along to watch the children demonstrate their skills and were delighted with the results.

Christine O’Hagan, South West Regional Development Officer for England Gymnastics, who presented the children with their certificates, and Dale Rhodes, West Dorset School Sport Partnership Manager, were also on hand to encourage the children during their performances.

* Children in the Bridport family of schools, including Loders, St Catherine’s and Symondsbury, took part in a Key Steps gymnastics display, at Symondsbury Primary School.

Those achieving two stars with a combination of stretch and tuck jumps on the vault were then encouraged to perform more difficult vaults to try and improve to three stars.

In the floor routines, the children were expected to produce a flowing sequence of movements with excellent technique.

Children from Burton Bradstock, unable to take part in the display due to a residential trip, will also be presented with certificates as they were assessed last week.