Schoolgirl gymnasts taking on world’s best

A PAIR of Welsh schoolgirls have come a step closer to achieving their dream after being picked to compete in the 2018 Aerobic World Championships.

Nancy Law, 12, from Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil, and Seren Jones, 11, from Aberdare, will fly to Portugal later this year to represent Great Britain in the prestigious gymnastics competition.

A pupil at Cyfarthfa High School, Nancy first started aerobic gymnastics five years ago at her local club in Aberdare.

Now the youngster will compete in both the solo and group categories with Seren against competitors from 40 other countries.

Nancy’s dad Jason, 43, said: “We’re thrilled that all her hard work has paid off.

“This was always the dream so it’s just a lot of relief after all the time and effort.

“We were told she had a strong chance based on her results but anything can happen during a trial.”

The pair’s latest achievement follows after a successful season last year including a gold medal in the group category at the British Gymnastics Championships.

To prepare for world cup the girls will now continue to train five days a week, with four of those sessions at the Weston Aerobic Gymnastics Club in WestonSuper-Mare.

Jason said: “Nancy is quite modest about it, she takes it all in her stride.”

He added: “It can be difficult, especially on a Saturday as training is 10am to 5pm in Weston-Super-Mare.

“Sunday is homework day. It’s hard, especially in the summer when her friends are off and she’s training – she doesn’t stop, she just gets the odd day off.”

As well as training in Weston-SuperMare, the athletes also train one day a week with head coach Shea Jones at the team’s satellite club SJ Aerobics in Aberdare sports centre.

They will now represent the UK after a successful two-day trial in Weston which saw six club gymnasts qualify for the competition, including fellow Welsh gymnast Molly Brown.

Seren’s mum Karen said: “Seren was about five when she started as a bit of fun and when her original club closed and we made the move to Weston she became a bit more serious about it.

“This will be her first competition at that level in this group.

“To think all the hard work and effort has paid off is great and it’s nice for her to get the recognition.”

At 11 years old the pupil at St John the Baptist School will now compete against girls up to the age of 14.

Karen added: “When we go back and forth to Weston we share the lifts – there is one coach who lives in Wales and she helps us out too – it’s teamwork.

“The team are fantastic together. As they spend so much time together they are constantly texting or Facetiming as a big group.”