Acrobats flip out to win Harry Miller trophy

Larkhall played host to its first Harry Miller Sports Acrobatics invitational competition this month.

The event, on Saturday, November 24, was a fantastic day, with five clubs competing from Lanarkshire and Glasgow in Avondale Gym Club in Donaldson Road. Competitors and spectators heard from Jill Livingstone, head coach of the club that Harry founded.

Harry founded the club in 1973 in his home in Hamilton Street, Larkhall, before moving to Larkhall Leisure centre a year later.

He always had a vision of building a purpose built gym enabling gymnasts of all abilities an affordable opportunity to take part in gymnastics.

He achieved this in 1982 with various grants and huge fundraising.

The club has gymnasts who have competed for Britain and Scotland in sports acrobatics and the gym became a centre of excellence for Scottish gymnastics and it hosted completions and training weekends.

Harry coached at the club until he retired in the late 1980s.

Harry passed away last year at the age of 85 and the competition was a fitting tribute to the contribution he made to Larkhall and Sports Acrobatics.

The overall team trophy was won by Spectrum Gymnastics Club.

The trophy was donated by Harry’s wife Jean and was presented to the winners on the day by his proud daughter Jane .