A PLACE in the British Schools’ Trampolining Final on March 12 has been secured by Haslingden High School’s intermediate team.
The four Year 8 and 9 students now hope to be the school’s first female trampoline team to lift a trophy – in previous years it has been boys’ teams who have been successful on the national stage.
In the Northern Zonal final, held at Salford Gymnastics Club, the school faced teams from all over the North of England, including Northern Ireland.
The intermediate team of 14-year-olds Halle Walden and Lucie Waters along with 13-year-olds Lucie Mae Haigh and Katie Knowles each had to complete set moves, which all entrants have to follow, and then a free routine.
Lucie Mae said: “It was really busy and there were around 45 teams in our class.”
They did not know how well they had done until the final presentation and although they hoped to be one of the top three teams, they were surprised and delighted to be awarded second place securing a place in the final in Macclesfield.
Lucie, who is a member of Bury Gymnastics Club, said: “This competition was so big and all the teams were really good, we didn’t expect to do as well as we did. We are the first girls’ team that the school has had to go through to the final.”
Halle, who has been a member of Bury Trampoline Club since 2019, said: “I am nervous for the final because it will be a massive competition.”
The schools Novice team also competed and finished in sixth place. Coaches said they showed great improvement since their first competition.
In the team were 13-year-olds Freya Lax and Scarlett Botham along with 11-year-olds Isobel Mcritchie and Freya Ashworth.
When the team needed an extra member for the Salford competition, Scarlett joined as she has been a gymnast with BEST Club in Burnley for five years.
The teams practised their routines ahead of the competition at Fearns Trampoline Club.