Borders gymnasts reflect on a year packed with success

A busy 12 months began in January, when it hosted trials for its very first display team, Team Evolution, which raised the club’s profile with appearances at the Beltane Concert in June, entertainment between competitions at the club’s annual club championships, and the Langlee Carnival in September.

In mid-November, Team Evolution travelled to Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth, to take part in itsfirst Scottish Gymnastics Gymfest, with a seven-minute routine themed on ‘A Night at the Movies’.

Team Evolution ended the year on a high, closing P.H.D FUNdamentals’ Christmas display, ‘Frosty Fest 2019’.

The team has tackled fund-raising events throughout the year to enter the displays and buy costumes.

This year, the club introduced competition squads in August, with its first competition in September at the Mega Event, hosted by Saltire Team Gym.

The gymnasts were delighted to come home with eight medals for individuals and teams.

P.H.D Fundamentals hosted ‘The Elements’ competition, a friendly event in March, which was the only experience the squad members had gained against another club held in their home turf.

The gymnastics squads are now training for threecompetitions in the new year – one being held in Peebles in March.

As December approached, the club was also bag packing in Asda Galashiels, raising £942.10, and a

further £1260.60 at ‘Frosty Fest 2019’ from a prize draw and bake sale.

All 226 gymnasts took part in a gymnastics or trampoline display, with music and costumes to showcase their skills at the Gytes Leisure Centre in Peebles, with both a morning and afternoon display.

The club was grateful to be able to fundraise so much with generous donations from Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Stobo Castle, Live Borders, Cocoa Black, the Rugby Store and Barony Castle.

The money will be used to build a sustainable future for the club and develop further work done with local charity Peebleshire Youth Trust.

The club was recognised for its efforts and young coaches programme when one of its young coaches, Rachel Campbell, was recognised by ClubSport Tweedale as the recipient of Junior Coach of the Year 2019.

Rachel has gained her coaching qualifications with P.H.D FUNdamentals while coaching at the club, and with gymnastics.

Overall, P.H.D FUNdamentals has had a successful year, with 10 coaches completing new coaching certificates, free sessions delivered in primary schools and community fundraising.

It hopes 2020 will bring even more success and further engagement with its community.