YOUNG Marlborough trampolinists are jumping for joy after qualifying for Southern Zonal Finals of the National Schools Trampolining Championships.

Zoe and Sophie Bolland, Freya Wharton and Charlotte Keltstrom-Paige from years five and six at Great Bedwyn School leapt to success at the South West Zonal Finals on Sunday December 2 at the Bristol Academy.

The youngsters were up against tough competition with students, aged 18 and under, attending from across the South West including Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

The talented foursome are coached at Marlborough Leisure Centre by Juanita Davenport, 51, and her daughter Laura, 20, who are both teaching assistants at St John’s.

The girls train with pupils from Rushall and Preshute Primary Schools and seven elder students from St John’s.

Mrs Davenport said: “We are absolutely delighted that they have got this far, in fact we’re delighted that they chose to enter.

“I coach several one hour classes at Marlborough Leisure Centre throughout the week and the girls who entered this competition are all invited to take a more advanced class on a Saturday morning.

“It’s still recreational but the class is longer so they are able to work on more advanced moves.

“They all provide their own leotards and they approach their respective schools themselves to ask if they can represent their school in the competition.”

In total 14 girls from Marlborough entered the competition including St John’s pupils Rosie Mulholland, 15, who took fifth place in the U19 Girls Novice class and Bethany Martin, 16, who came ninth in the U19 Girls Elite class.

Davenport said: “The students did amazingly well, particularly because they competed against students who train at trampoline clubs several times a week whilst our students train only once a week at a recreational level.

“All our students showed exceptional team work, support and encouragement to each other and displayed true sportsmanship to fellow competitors.

“We are very grateful to the support and encouragement shown by the Marlborough Leisure Centre manager Dan Webb.”

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