Petersfield’s Flex Gymnastics Club took 17 gymnasts to Dynamo Gymnastics Club in Southampton for the 2024 Hampshire grades competition.

Approximately 260 gymnasts from 15 clubs in Hampshire competed across a new grading system, consisting of the preparation, development and performance pathways.

Flex had 11 gymnasts in the preparation pathway, of which there are three grades. The preparation pathway had approximately 120 gymnasts and was divided by age in addition to grade.

In preparation one for those aged eight years old, there were 38 gymnasts. Grace Harding placed second on beam and eighth overall, receiving a distinction.

While in preparation one for those aged nine or ten, Evie Pringle placed sixth overall and Megan Platt placed fourth on range and conditioning, with both girls receiving a commendation in their first grades competition.

Preparation two for those aged nine, consisted of 40 gymnasts. Ella Williams placed first on vault and seventh overall. Ivy King placed sixth on bars, sixth on range and conditioning and tenth overall. Winter Chamberlain placed 13th overall and all three girls received a distinction. Rosie Lymn-Fuller competed in her first grades competition and received a commendation. Ella also received the highest vault score of the competition across the two days.

In preparation two for those aged ten, there were 26 gymnasts. In her first grades competition Lessie Hughes placed fourth on range and conditioning and 12th overall, receiving a commendation.

In preparation two for those aged 11 or 12, Myla Skilton placed sixth on beam and seventh overall, receiving a commendation. Lola Sutton received a commendation and Lola-Rose White placed third on vault and received a pass. All three girls were competing in their first grades competition.

In the development pathway, Flex had two gymnasts competing in development two for those aged 11 and over. Essense Starkey placed first on bars, first on floor, third on beam, third on range and conditioning and first overall, receiving a distinction and becoming the Hampshire development two champion. Ellie Wood placed first on vault and tenth overall, receiving a commendation.

In the performance pathway Flex had gymnasts competing in performance one and performance two. In performance one for those aged ten and over Jessica Willoughby placed first on beam and third on range and conditioning. Chloe Llewelyn-Williams and Jamie Giddings placed fourth and sixth on vault respectively.

In performance two for those aged 11 and over Holly Jelley placed second on range and conditioning, third on vault, third on bars, third on beam, third on floor and third overall.

Jessica, Jamie, Chloe and Holly competed at the performance, pre-excel and excel grade regional finals at Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy. The girls passed their grades with commendations. Jessica finished fifth on bars and Chloe sixth on vault in performance one, and Holly placed sixth on floor and sixth on range and conditioning in performance two.

Essense Starkey, Grace Harding, Ella Williams, Winter Chamberlain and Ivy King qualified for the preparation, development and disability grades south regional finals at Portsmouth Gymnastics Club later this month.