AT the London Regional Championships for 13 and 14-year-olds, Europa Gym Club's Kimberley Honey was bidding for her first regional title.

Kimberley, who is 13 and a pupil at Townley Grammar School in Bexleyheath, was one of the favourites even though she had introduced some new moves in her routines.

Despite this, she produced a near-faultless performance and won the gold medal by a wide points margin.

Kimberley said: "I am now looking forward to representing the Bexley team in the London Heathrow Youth Games preliminary rounds, when we have to finish in the top eight to make the finals at Crystal Palace."

Meanwhile, at the two-day National Grade Finals held in Birmingham, some of Europa's young gymnasts had high hopes.

Europa had six out of the eight girls representing the London region in two different age groups,

However, the first sign of problems came when Francesca Bissell strained her arm, ruling her out of the final. It was a massive disappointment for the Regional Championship Level 4 winner.

The Level 4 National Final had Europa's Sophie Brundish, second in the Regional Championships, and third-placed Olivia taking part.

Despite being very nervous in their first national final, both girls performed well especially Olivia, who managed 16th place with a score of 42.025pts and team-mate Sophie l8th with 41.925pts.

In the Level 3 National Finals, Europa had three girls Sophie Mahon, who was first in Regional Championships, second-placed Gemma Ellis and Lily Peck, who came fourth.

Europa coach Len Arnold said: "All the girls had trained very well for this competition and we were hoping for a top 20 place.

"This grade event, plus in the second half of the year the national voluntary competition, determines the selection for trials for the National under-12s squad. The combined scores from the two national finals determine the overall placings, and the aim is to finish in the top 15 to guarantee a trial.

Arnold added: "The girls started on beam but, unfortunately, nerves got the better of them.

"Uncharacteristic falls from Lily and Gemma, plus a well below par bar routine from Sophle left the girls way behind the target.

"The floor exercises, with very difficult range and conditioning, saw the girls performances include some more errors, and after three of the five routines the girls were struggling.

"I was very disappointed for them. They had trained so hard for this and they are better than the performances they had shown to that point.

"So I told them they had nothing to lose on the last two pieces of apparatus and should show just how good they really are.

"Well, they showed their character and skill by producing their best performances on vault and bars.

"Despite the overall disappointing result, the girls flinished on a high note."

Arnold concluded: "Although we are the only fully-equipped boys and girls gymnastic facility permanently set up in Bexley, the Europa Centre falls way short of a great many of our regional and national competitors.

"The club is working towards developing a foam-filled training area where all the different pieces of gymnastic apparatus will have a foam-filled landing area under it.

"The cost of creating this facility is considerable and we are working bard to obtain the finances through grants, fund-raising, and donations of money, time, labour and materials to try and complete this ambitions project.

"So, if you think you could offer any support to a successful local club based in Erith or would like to come and join in any of our gymnastic classes, please call us on 01322 439233."

July 9, 2002 11:30