A gymnastics club is continuing a proud family tradition of success with wins at the Southern Regionals.
Red Hot Gymnastics, founded by Janet and Dennis Lake in 1990, has been in the family for more than three decades and is now run by their daughter Zoe, who took over in 2018.
The club attended the Southern Regionals, held at Milton Keynes Gymnastics Club on September 7, where five of their gymnasts came away with medals and three have now been invited to the National Finals, which will be held on November 1 and 2.
Head coach Zoe Lakes said: "Competition days are really long days for the gymnasts but such a great experience. Some of them it was their first one.
"Each and everyone of them did so well and made me very proud. To have some come away with medals and places in the nationals is a massive accomplishment when they were up against some very big clubs."
Ellie, 10, won a gold medal for her floor routine, a silver medal for her vault routine and came third for overall level 9 gymnast
She said: "I was so surprised when they called my name—the other gymnasts were so good, and I didn’t think I had a chance!"
Lyra, 9, won a bronze medal for her bars routine and came joint second for the overall level 10 gymnast.
She said: "It was really crazy, I was accepting I didn’t get into nationals, and then I found out I had. And I had never got a medal before"
Neve, 9, won a bronze medal for her beam routine and came joint second for the overall level 10 gymnast.
She said: "I'm excited because I've never got a medal and never got into nationals."
Zoe turned her focus to coaching after competing nationally from the ages of eight to 17, and becoming a British Championship bronze medallist on bars.
Zoe said: "Taking over the club from my parents who were so successful is an honour and feel now I’m carrying on their name of Red Hot Gymnastics proudly. Our club is friendly and the gymnasts encourage, support and praise each other in such a warming way.
“My coaches did me proud on the day of competition, as they do every session in the classes. We take the time to get to know each gymnast on an individual basis, understanding their capabilities and equally encouraging them to push themselves in a safe manner."
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Zoe currently has two coaches on her team, Penny and Jaz, both are qualified to Level 2, trained in first aid and all three coaches have completed safeguarding awareness training.
Zoe said: "I am truly humbled to have such a wonderful team, supportive parents of the children attending, and equally supportive family of my own. They all support me hugely, and without everyone on my side, this dream wouldn’t be possible. "
Classes currently run three evenings a week during term time, catering to a wide range of ages and abilities and Zoe has recently launched a new preschool class.
They are considering adding a fourth evening to accommodate more gymnasts due to high demand.
For more information, see here: www.facebook.com/redhotgym/
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