LADYWELL GYMNASTICS CLUB
Amazing......Club wins British Gymnastics 'Club of the Year' Award for 2013 !
Shirley Callaghan proudly holds her Award of Merit and Club of the Year Awards
Imagine if you can the scene of one of the proudest nights in our Club's long, illustrious history.
The occasion was the British Gymnastics Annual Awards Evening and a party of Coaches and staff from Lewisham based Ladywell Gymnastics Club found themselves sitting amidst the great and the good of the UK gymnastics world - including several members of the Bronze Medal winning Team GB Men’s Olympic Gymnastics Team - as nominees in the Club of the Year Category.
When your Club Mission Statement reads, “To enrich lives through Gymnastics” and your ethos is an open door to all, irrespective of race, creed, ethnicity or impairment - simply being nominated for such a prestigious award by your sport’s National Governing Body is a huge, and somewhat unexpected honour.
Early in the proceedings, Club Manager and Head Coach Shirley Callaghan was presented with an ‘Award of Merit’ for her prolonged contribution to gymnastics; a sport she has been involved in for almost thirty years.
As the excitement built towards the end of the ceremony, the Ladywell contingent were very relaxed as they don’t really see themselves as award winners, so you can imagine the shock and delight as their name was called out as recipients of the coveted Club of the Year Award.
Club Manager Shirley rightly states that this award is the culmination of many years of concerted effort by many people both past and present during the Club’s forty seven year history, and she wishes to dedicate to and share the award with everyone who has ever helped the Club get where it stands today.
Visit by USA gymnasts during half term
The US gymnasts beside Shirley are (l to r) Grace, Corinne and Dorothy.
At the end of the row is James Linderholm.
Former Ladywell Club Coach James Linderholm, who now runs the Huntsville Gymnastics Centre in Alabama, USA recently decided to bring a Team of female gymnasts to the UK for a competition.
Luckily they found time after the competition and in between extensive sight seeing trips to visit us. The girls also participated in some training sessions while they were with us.
We look forward to hosting gymnasts from this Club again in the not too distant future.
Club Makes Donation To 'Get Well Soon Winnie' Cause
Many people wonder what the Club does with the various Late Fees levied against members for late payment of Fees, or late collection of their children from sessions.
Well, the Club prides itself in adding this money to our own donations towards Charitable causes such as St Christopher's and Demelza Hospices, and other causes.
Our most recent donation was made to a child called Winnie, who has lived with tragedy throughout her three short years of life. Please read on for more information about this truly inspirational and amazingly brave child.
All About Winnie....
Winnie was born on the 2nd August 2010, with Downs Syndrome. She was also born suffering from heart and liver failure. She suffered from phenomena and nearly died twice, and while in hospital was given a drug overdose - though against all the odds - she pulled through, a true little fighter.
In 2011 Winnie had life saving heart surgery to repair and close a main duct in her heart. With Winnie being born with Down's Syndrome, this brought a lot of extra things to think about for all her family; when would she sit up, walk or talk?
At the age of two, she was the size of a nine month old baby, who couldn't’t speak and struggled to eat.
In October 2012, Winnie was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. The medical professionals were unable to answer that dreaded question, which no parent should ever have to ask... 'Is Winnie going to Die'?
Winnie began having four high doses of chemotherapy. In the space of three months, Winnie was transferred between three London Hospitals and spent six months in The Royal Marsden Hospital. She also spent time in Guys and St Georges hospitals, in intensive care, on Life Support.
Winnie, though very unwell, seemed confused; she couldn't’t understand why she wasn't at home with her three brothers. When they came to see her while she was in hospital, her face would light up - but then the tears would flow when it was time for them to leave. She would try to hold her arms out to them - her way of asking them to take her with them.
While Winnie was in hospital she would watch her Walt Disney DVD's over and over again. At times, although she could barely lift her little head from the pillow - she would try to clap, smile, giggle and dance in her own little way - especially for Mickey Mouse. When the DVD had finished, Winnie's sparkle disappeared too.
This is the time when the idea came, and 'Get Well Winnie' was born.
The aim is to raise enough money to take Winnie and her family to Walt Disneyworld in Florida and support Winnie in her fight against Leukaemia.
We'd also like to raise funds for her so she can afford medical equipment adaptations, medical expenses and aids to help her for the future - which will be badly needed - as she bravely fights through living with her disabilities.
Winnie has touched the hearts of thousands, generating a following of more than 10,000 people, young and old, on facebook with her group page 'Get Well Soon Winnie' and on Twitter.
The fundraising has began, with wristbands for sale, coffee mornings, cake sales, and individuals being sponsored to raise money for the 'Get Well Soon Winnie' cause.
If you are interested in finding out more information, go to Winnie's Web Site at:
www.getwellsoonwinnie.co.uk
Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved. Get Well Soon Winnie Web Site.
Please consider following the Club's example by supporting this wonderful child.
Success for Club gymnast Ella at International Competition.
To put the icing on the cake of what has transpired to be an amazing month for the Club, eleven year old Ella Ross-Jessop traveled with Coach Shirley to the Fame SVOD Open International Competition, held in Deventer in the Netherlands, over the weekend of 29th and 30th June.
This Competition was attended by 29 Clubs, representing 12 different countries.
On the first day of competition, Ella started as she obviously meant to carry on by winning the overall Bronze Medal for 3rd Place in her category - which was her age group plus girls a year older than her.
So good were Ella’s scores on this first day of competition, that she qualified for the Individual Apparatus Finals on Sunday on Vault, Beam and Floor. She was also first reserve on A Bars.
On Sunday, Ella really excelled herself by winning the Gold Medal on Beam, the Silver Medal on Floor and the Bronze Medal on Vault. Detailed results can be viewed here.
It has been a monumental week for Ella and she has done not only herself, but her family, Club and Country proud with these outstanding performances.
VERY WELL DONE to Ella and Coach Shirley.
Ella and Coach Shirley relaxed after the Competition.
Ella on the Podium.
Fundraising Team Go From Strength to Strength.
It may well be mere coincidence - but every time the Ladywell Volunteer Fundraising Team arrange to pack bags for shoppers at Sainsbury's Savacentre in Sydenham, the sun comes out in a big way.
Although numbers of bag packers from amongst the gymnasts was depleted - they still applied themselves to the task and raised a fantastic £435.
Thanks to all the gymnasts and parents who took part. Thanks to Sandra Davidson for all the organisation behind the event and to Matthew and Carolyn Ross-Jessop for undertaking the onerous task of counting all the money.
The last and biggest thanks must again go to Sainsbury's for allowing us to use their store to raise this incredible sum of money.
Success for Club gymnasts at London Gymnastics Levels Championships.
Two of the Club's gymnasts had a successful day at the London Gymnastics Level 2 & 3 Championships, held at Heathrow Gymnastics Club on Sunday 23rd June.
Isabel Benham and Ella Ross-Jessop were representing us in the Level 3 and Level 2 Categories respectively.
In the Level 3 Category (out of age) Isabel finished 2nd and also won a Gold Medal for achieving the highest score on Vault.
In the Level 2 Category (in age)
Ella finished 3rd and also won two Gold Medals for achieving the highest score on both Vault and Floor.
Their scores can be viewed here.
Ella and Isabel focused and training hard for the Championships.
Fundraising Team Pack their Bags!
While most of us were wondering how we could make the most of a beautiful sunny day on Sunday 26th May, our hard working Fundraising Team, helpers, parents and a group of gymnasts were ensconced in Sainsbury's Savacentre in Sydenham packing the bags of customers to raise money.
Over an incredibly busy four and a half hour period, their sweat and toil raised an amazing £670 !
Thanks to all the gymnasts and parents who took part. Thanks to Sandra Davidson for all the organisation behind the event and to Matthew and Carolyn Ross-Jessop (who gave up time on her birthday) for undertaking the essential yet onerous task of counting all the coinage!
The last and biggest thanks must go to Sainsbury's for allowing us to use their store to raise this incredible sum of money.
37 Gymnasts represent Club in one Weekend !.
Over the weekend of 01st and 02nd June, no less than 37 of the Club gymnasts represented the Club in two separate Competitions.
There were mixed fortunes throughout as you can see by checking the results on either link below.
That said, the Club is always proud of its gymnasts who have the strength of character to step into the competition arena to represent us.
Below is a small selection of photos from the weekend.
We apologise for the quality of some of the images, but we're sure the children involved won't mind too much - as it represents their moment of glory.
LG GfA White/Silver/Gold Competition - Redbridge Leisure Centre - June 2013
LG Regional Team Championships - Heathrow GC - June 2013
Very Successful Fundraising Cake Sale
Congratulations must go to our indomitable Fundraising Team for raising a stunning £350 from selling cakes in Greenwich Market last Saturday 04th May. Thanks also to those who made, donated, sold and bought cakes in support of the event. The Club is very grateful for your efforts on our behalf.
Easter Egg Raffle Winners
Congratulations to the following people for winning in the Club's Easter Egg Raffle:
- Sophia Mohan Khan - Yellow Ticket - 341 (AK3V RG52)
- Lilly Miller - Yellow Ticket - 334 (AK3V RG52)
- Nabintou Soumahoro - Yellow Ticket - 468 (AK3V RG52)
- Marilyn Joseph - Yellow Ticket - 255 (AK3V RG52)
Success for Club Gymnast at British Levels Championships
Ella and Coach Shirley
Just one week after winning a Bronze Medal at the London Gymnastics Levels Championships, held at Heathrow Gymnastics Club on 9th March, gymnast Ella Ross-Jessop surpassed all expectations to achieve a remarkable 5th Overall position at the British Level 2 Championships, held on 17 March in Ipswich.
Well done Ella and Coach Shirley - a fantastic achievement by you both.
Bronze Medal for Club Gymnast at London Gymnastics Levels Championships
Ella on the Podium
Eleven year old Club gymnast Ella Ross-Jessop came away from the London Gymnastics Levels Championships, held at Heathrow Gymnastics Club on 9th March with third place, a Bronze Medal and the highest Vault score in the Level 2 Category.
Well done Ella. Your hard work in training paid off. This bodes well for the rest of the year.
Success for Club Gymnasts and Staff at Lewisham Sport Awards
Gymnasts and Coaches from the Club who represented Lewisham Borough at the 2012 London Youth Games last summer were given awards at the Mayor's Sports Awards, held in Lewisham Town Hall on the evening of 28th February.
The award recipients were:
Maisie Ross-Jessop for winning a Gold Medal on Floor and the Overall Gold Medal in the Female Junior category.
Quynh Trinh for winning a Gold Medal on Floor in the Female Senior Category.
Quynh also won the coveted London Youth Games Female Sports Star of the Year Award for her amazing contribution and medal haul for the Borough spanning the past six years.
Celeste Edwards won an award for winning the Silver Medal on Floor in the Female Senior category.
The entire Team, consisting of Omodara Olatunji, Quynh Trinh, Celeste Edwards, Maisie Ross-Jessop, Ivy Caton, Evie Smithers, Edith Alderton and Tianna Thompson were awarded the fantastic accolade of London Youth Games Team of the Year.
A mention must go to Ben and Isaac Croucher, who although they didn't win an award - performed valiantly for the borough in the Male Junior category.
Club Head Coach Shirley Callaghan was given an award for Service to Sport, in recognition of her amazing thirty years dedication to sport within the Borough.
The London Youth Games - Team of the Year Winners (Edith and Tianna absent)
Maisie and Quynh with their Gold Medal Winners Awards
Quynh with her coveted London Youth Games - Female Sports Star Award
Celeste with her London Youth Games Silver Medal Award
Shirley with her Service to Sport Award
Club Annual Awards Evening 2013
A Selection of the Award Winners.
- It is always a real gamble when you change the venue for a long established event. There is no guarantee that the atmosphere will be the same. The Club needn't have worried when it moved the Annual Awards Evening to Goals in Eltham - as the night turned out to be a resounding success for everyone involved.
All the Award Winners and their families, aided and abetted by Club Coaches and Staff had a thoroughly enjoyable evening collecting their Awards, Raffle Prizes and dancing to the brilliant Disco.
Several of the Club's long serving staff were given Awards for their commitment to the Club over a very long period.
A full list of Award WInners is available for viewing here.
Club Admin Office Opening Hours
| Monday |
OFFICE CLOSED *
Except during Rebooking Week when the Office will be open from 4pm to 7pm |
| Tuesday |
9.15
am - 4.50 pm
Closed for Staff Lunch 12:30 to 1:30 |
| Wednesday |
12.15 pm - 4.50 pm *
Except during Rebooking Week when the Office will be open until 7pm |
| Thursday |
9.15
am - 4.50 pm
Closed for Staff Lunch 12:30 to 1:30
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| Friday |
9.15
am - 4.50 pm
Closed for Staff Lunch 12:30 to 1:30 |
| Saturday |
OFFICE CLOSED *
Except during Rebooking Week when the Office will be open from 9.15am to 12.00pm
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| Sunday |
OFFICE CLOSED |
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