A YOUNG party of Warrington gymnasts are set to represent Great Britain at the sport’s largest exhibition in 2015.

The Wire Gymnastics Club will take 29 girls to the World Gymnaestrada in Helsinki between July 12 and 18, joining around 25,000 participants from 50 countries.

The event in Finland focuses on group performances. It is not about winning medals and competitions, but collaboration.

Held every four years, the Gymnaestrada is regarded as the sport’s Olympic Games and head coach Emma Doherty was therefore delighted to see her Wire Gymnastics squad chosen.

“We’ve got 29 girls from all over Warrington,” she explained. “They’re all going to be representing Team GB and are all very excited.

“All the girls are aged between six and 15. We also have the youngest girl in Team GB, Lilly Doherty, who’s six.

“We’ll fly as part of Team GB and take part in the opening and closing ceremonies while the flag is carried into the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.

“We’ve got five coaches going as there’s so many of our girls. It’s a great opportunity for all of them to take part and is going to be a really good experience.”

Wire Gymnastics were chosen on the strength of their performance at British Gymnastics’ National Festivals Programme, GymFusion, earlier in the year.

They will be among 500 gymnasts travelling as part of Team GB, the most the national team have ever taken to one of the festival-style gymnaestradas.

And, having already been for a ‘kit-sitting’ at the National Sports Centre, excitement is starting to build among the girls’ camp.

“They got to go to Lilleshall to have a big meeting about what the event is all about, get measured up for costumes and meet all the other clubs,” said Katie Wall, mum of eight-year-old Ella who will be travelling with Wire.

“She’s really excited about going to Helsinki.”

And the Culcheth Primary School pupil is training hard for next year’s event.

“Ella started recreational gymnastics when she was about five and a half, going once a week,” added Katie.

“It gradually increased to four hours, then six and now she trains 14 hours a week – she loves it.”

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