GYMNASTICS: WOMEN'S SENIOR INTERNATIONAL
GREAT BRITAIN vs. USA
17th & 18th MARCH 2007
LISBURN CITY, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
A history for Gymnastics in Northern Ireland
On Saturday, 17th March, St Patrick's Day, and Sunday 18th
March 2007, a very significant Gymnastics event is coming
to Lisburn City, Belfast, to make history for the sport in
Northern Ireland - the Women's Gymnastics Friendly International
GBR vs. the USA.
Held at the beginning of the season, this event will reveal
the important players in both the British and American National
Teams and also who could be at the Olympic Qualifications
for Beijing 2008, (Stuttgart, Germany, September 2007). During
next year's Olympics, a number of those who will compete in
Lisburn are likely to turn into household names.
"The exciting international against one of the most
powerful teams in the World marks the start of a vital period
for Women's Gymnastics. With the European Championships in
April and then the all-important World Championships in Stuttgart
in September, the competition will provide a good indication
of the level and depth of talent we have available for our
Olympic Qualification campaign. I am very grateful to Lisburn
City Council for their major support of the event which will
be a great opening of the new Salto Gymnastics centre",
said Matthew Greenwood, British Gymnastics Technical &
Performance Director.
.
Master-Coach Tony Byrne, Director of the internationally renowned
Salto Gym Club, Lisburn City, added: "This is the most
exciting day in the development of Gymnastics in Northern
Ireland and we hope it will be a platform to develop the whole
of our sport to the levels once achieved before by Holly Murdock."
Adrian Stan, the GB's Women's Technical Director sees in
the event excellent opportunity to learn from one of the world's
gymnastics leading nations, the USA (World Champions 2003
and World Silver medallists in 2006) and to strengthen the
relationship between the two countries first opened two years
ago.
The final line-up will be revealed shortly before the meet
but it is expected that both the host and guest nations will
test some of their best Olympic 2008 hopefuls.
GBR: All the five Junior gymnasts who won
the top 5 position at the European Championships in Volos
(GRE) 2006.
Rebecca Downie (Notts), British Junior all-around Champion,
9th in the AA in Volos and Finalist on Foor (6th);
Laura Jones (Notts)- 5th on Beam,
Hannah Clowes (Liverpool),
Rebecca Wing (Heathrow),
Jodie Standish (Liverpool);
Their young team-mates Marissa King (Huntingdon) and Hannah
Whelan (Liverpool) and the more experienced, 2006 World gymnasts
Olivia Bryl (Barry), Melanie Roberts (Liverpool), Leigh Rogers
(Heathrow) and Emma White (Huntingdon)
USA: Best known of the names in the provisional
entry sheet are Jana Bieger, the most successful American
gymnast at the last World Championships (3 silver medals)
and the two 2006 Team Silver medallists from Aarhus, Ashley
Priess and Natasha Kelly.
Three fresh Senior gymnasts, 2006 Team Champion in the Junior
Pan American Championships:
Shawn Johnson, Bianka Flohr and Samantha Peszek are also expected
to compete, together with Ivana Hong, bronze medallist in
the 2006 Visa Championships.
* Address of the Venue:
Warren Park, Lisburn,
County Antrim
BT28 1LW
Tel: 028 9260 7888
* Competition Format & Schedule:
Saturday, 17th March 2006- Team and Individual All-around
- Start at 2:30pm. Finish appr. 5:00pm
Sunday, 18th March 2006- Apparatus Finals
- Start 1:00am. Finish appr. 3.30pm
The top 3 gymnasts from each team will take part.
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