Wigan to host gymnastics event

The Robin Park Arena and Sports Centre in Wigan will host the British Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships on 4–5 November.

This is the fourth time that the event – organised by British Gymnastics and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) – has been held at the centre.

Entrants will compete for British Youth Champion (15–16), British Junior Champion (17–18) and Men’s Champion of Great Britain.

The weekend event will also feature a new contest – the British Masters Finals – in which the best eight gymnasts will compete to become the apparatus king.

Event organiser Ben Murphy of British Gymnastics said: “We are anticipating a really exciting weekend and hopefully a lot of young people will come along and take an interest in the sport in the long-term. The Men’s Championships are always a close run affair and seeing the exciting somersaults and strength of these athletes live is an awesome experience. This year we will increase our viewing audience with a live webcast to viewer’s homes.”

Spectators will also see the nation’s youngest gymnastic talents competing in the British Under-12 and Under-14 championships and young gymnastic enthusiasts and novices will have the opportunity to try out the apparatus for themselves.

Mike Lea, WLCT gymnastics development officer, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people and their families to come along and see athletes in action. Both WLCT and British Gymnastics are determined to get more and more young people involved in what is a graceful, powerful and dynamic sport. As we approach the Olympic Games in 2012, it would be great to witness gymnasts from the borough competing with a Great Britain flag on their chest.”

Children aged 16 and under accompanied by an adult living in Wigan Borough will qualify for a free ticket.

WLCT is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for 300,000 residents across the borough. Details: www.british-gymnastics.org

Photograph: gymnast Danny Lawrence