European door opens up for dedicated Jude
Top level competition is Hilson’s future
A Lesmahagow gymnast who puts in more than an entire day’s worth of training per week has been tipped for the top.
Jude Hilson (12) puts in 28 hours per week at the Scottish Institute of Sport in Glasgow and mum Clare says it’s testament to her dedication after being recognised for a pathway programme that could lead to European and international competition.
Clare said:“jude went down to Wakefield for the British Gymnastics Tumbling Performance Pathway, where she was put through her paces by Team GB coaches, who selected the top gymnasts over the last year.
“Jude is training under the Federation of International Gymnastics, which is a high level. Before, she had certain moves to perfect and now she’s scored on difficulty.
“That means she can be selected for European and international competitions.
“It would be brilliant to see her rewarded for all the hard work she puts in. It’s starting to pay off, and everything will be worthwhile because she really is working hard – she only has one night off a week, which is a lot for a 12-year-old. In her day off she still trains at school, though.
“It just shows how dedicated she is, but Jude just takes it all in her stride and says‘right, what’s next’and gets on with it – it’s me that’s overwhelmed!”
Lanark Gymnastics Club star Jude Hilson could be set to take part in international and European competition after excelling at Scottish and British level.
Jude (12), from Lesmahagow, emerged as National Development Programme 6 under-13 Scottish champion, adding to a British title she already holds at that level.
Scottish Institute of Sport student Jude will now move up to an entirely different level of gymnastics called Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) which, if selected, could see her involved in international competitions and even European Championships.
Jude won the NDP6 competition at the Scottish Tumble Championships at Bell’s Sports Centre in Perth on October 22.
She was also selected to travel down to Wakefield with coach Morven Alder to train with the GB coaches as part of the British Gymnastics tumbling performance pathway, one of only four gymnasts in the country to do so.
Mum Clare said: “The Scottish Tumble Championships is the biggest event of the year in Scotland for tumblers and the best clubs from all over Scotland attend with their best gymnasts, all set to compete at each grade and age category.
“Lanark had seven kids attend, ranging from NDP1 right up to NDP6 and amongst them was Jude, who already this year has won her first gold medal as part of Team Scotland and been crowned under-13 British champion.
“All the girls did really well, but only Jude emerged as a Scottish champion at NDP 6 under-13 level, giving her both Scottish and British titles at this grade.
“Everyone at the club is extremely proud of what Jude has achieved, as are myself and her dad John.
“Jude has seen her training hours go up to 28 per week since starting the high-performance high school, and her hard work and determination are really paying off.
“We wish her all the best for the new season of tumbling, which starts in December.”
Clare added: “Jude is doing really well; it’s a lot more hours, but she’s loving it.
“She started at the Scottish Institute of Sport back in August as one of only two gymnasts, and she’s a bit tired because we need to leave at 6.45am to get her to school in time, but she’s really enjoying it.
“She had a fantastic year there, where she was British champion, won her first gold for Scotland, and that was all brilliant.”