Esprit's Jade set for Italian job

11:19am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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SWINDON girl Jade Faulkner has made history after being selected in Great Britain's team for the European Championships in Turin next month.

The South Marston girl, 14, becomes the first gymnast trained in the town to achieve such an honour and will compete in Italy from June 5-7.

It is another massive feather in the cap of the Stratton-based Esprit Academy, which has already churned out two British champions and a host of gold medal winners, national squad members and international competitors.

Academy head coach Deb Hows said: "Several months ago, Jade was selected by the national team coach to take part in a number of selection competitions and trials that would establish if she had what it takes.

"She took part in two trials at the National Centre of Excellence in Lilleshall and then travelled as part of a Great Britain delegation to Innsbruck where she won an overall silver medal".

"Her Innsbruck result ensured she was selected to the team for the LG International just last month, where she again excelled as the highest scoring British gymnast.'' That booked Faulkner's place in Turin and Hows will accompany her to Lilleshall at the start of June.

Both will then fly on to Turin with a Great Britain delegation and fellow team members Lynne Hutchinson, from the City of Bath and Kezi Gore and Jo Matcham from City of Canterbury.

• ESPRIT gymnasts again took part in the Scottish Gymfest in Irvine, Scotland.

Twenty two members from the Swindon club travelled for the non-competitive discipline, which combines both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics along with modern dance, set to music.

Team: Kate Faulkner, Micia Falaki, Rowan Gregg, Elise Hale, April Coombes, Daisy Rolt, Scarlett Rolt, Victoria Sutton, Holly Lawson, Alicia Veveris, Eleanor Jones, Becky Flint, Ellouise Reade, Clarice Saloyedoff, Courtney Hows, Ashleigh West, Freya Willcock, Havana Farr, Kathryn Baker, Carla Williams, Lauren Hoard, Gabriela Caruso.