MORE than 70 people including club members, parents, family and friends attended Sheringham Gymnastic Club's first annual award presentation evening at Sheringham Sports Pavilion.

MORE than 70 people including club members, parents, family and friends attended Sheringham Gymnastic Club's first annual award presentation evening at Sheringham Sports Pavilion.

Following a club awards testing session, junior members received their Key Steps Vault and Body Management Level One certificates and the seniors were awarded their Proficiency Award certificates.

The club's Gymnasts of the Year awards were also presented in various categories, and a raffle and a family fun quiz provided further entertainment throughout the evening.

Winners of the annual club awards were: Most Improved Junior Boy gymnast - Peter Hammond; Most Improved Senior gymnast - Olivia Harding; Competition Performance of the Year - C J Glover; Junior Gymnast of the Year - Caitlin Stursberg; Gymnasts' Gymnast of the Year - Kezia Harrington; Most Improved Junior Girl Gymnast - Kelsey Pegg; Senior Gymnast of the Year - Chloe Woodhouse.

The awards are not based solely on gymnastic ability but are assessed throughout the year on attendance, effort, attitude, appropriate dress, helping with equipment and all sorts of other things which go towards making a good club gymnast.

All the gymnasts are continually assessed and sometimes the final decisions come down to one or two small things that separate one person from the rest.

Club coach Derek Welch said: 'I was delighted with the support and to see so many people attending, on what was a celebration of the club members' achievements throughout the year. The awards were well deserved and congratulations to all the winners.'

Thanks were also expressed for the help and support from Miriam Welch, Beth Burrows, Sarah Millard and Natalie Lunken, and to the senior girls who help out at the general classes.

Next year the plan is to combine the awards evening with displays and competition performances by the gymnasts. There is a busy schedule planned for 2010 with a range of competitions, displays and events.

The club runs general classes on Mondays at Splash Leisure Centre for children aged seven plus and further details can be obtained from Mr D Welch on 01263 822363 or by emailing dwelch @sheringhamhigh.lpplus.net