June 2013 31 www.bahrainthismonth.com happeningskidsteens When? June 14 | Event? Competition | Venue? British School of Bahrain If you, like the rest of the world, consider gymnastics a beautiful sport, then mark your calendars as it takes centre stage this month. Paving the way for what is otherwise a less-than-popular sport in the Kingdom, the British School of Bahrain (BSB) hosts the country’s first-ever gymnastics competition. With the school’s growing Gymnastics Academy, the sport is gaining momentum and it looks like it is here to stay. Aimed specifically at boys and girls under the age of 12, the competition will give gymnasts the chance to show their skills while they compete in a floor routine, on the vault and on the trampette. The competition is split into two categories: novice and intermediate. Within these categories, gymnasts are split into different age groups of four to five years, five to seven years, seven to nine years, and nine years and above. Within each age category, boys and girls will be split into separate groups. The event is expected to bring in over 100 participants. The judging panel features experienced coaches from the BSB and CHAOSS, a local gymnastics club. Medals will be awarded for first, second and third places on floor, vault and mini-tramp in each age group for boys and girls. The fourth, fifth and sixth positions will receive a certificate. Trophies will be awarded to the overall boy and girl winner in each round. “First and foremost, this event will be a fantastic opportunity for gymnasts to experience a competitive environment and show off their fabulous skills in this sport. In addition, we hope it will raise the profile of The Gymnastics Academy, as well as the overall status of gymnastics in the country,” explains organiser Matthew Brant. As with any new endeavour, embarking on a first-of-its-kind event came with no shortage of obstacles. Fortunately, the academy received support from CHAOSS in terms of sponsorship and loaning of equipment. “Until very recently there was only one major gymnastics club in Bahrain. If this is compared to the number of successful tennis or dance clubs on the island, for example, it is easy to see how much potential there is for gymnastics to be developed within the Kingdom. Inter-Gulf competitions are aimed at more elite gymnasts. We wanted to bridge the gap and create an event which is for gymnasts who perhaps haven’t been training as long or who are not yet ready for international competitions,” he continues. The academy was founded in 2012 and the enthusiasm of the children is self-evident. Keep your eyes and ears open during the festive season as the team prepares to put on displays and performances at a number of local events. E Call 38 305-226. Poetry in Motion Last Stroke When? June 7 Event? Swimming championship Venue? St Christopher’s School E Call 17 598-432. Mark your calendars as this month sees the island’s young swimmers complete in one of the Kingdom’s biggest swim meets. The Open Swimming Championships 2013 is hosted by St Christopher’s School and will be grouped under kids of age eight and under, nine to 10, 11 to 12, 13 to 14 and 15 to18. Participants will compete in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley categories with a BD2 charge fee per individual event. Medals will be awarded for first, second and third places with a cup for the overall point winner for boys and girls in each age group.
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