Students Assist at Trampolining World Championships
British Gymnastics (BG) and the Federation of International Gymnastics (F.I.G.) hosted the 28th World Trampoline and Tumbling championships at the Birmingham NIA followed by the World age games which sees the best of the world’s junior competitors.
This prestigious event saw 28 countries competing in the Trampolining, Tumbling and Double mini tramp disciplines for the World title. This competition was also a qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in London 2012 so had a significant importance on the performance of the athletes on the day. Each country is allowed 1 Male and 1 Female trampolininst to qualify for the Olympics. Britains womens No 1,Kat Driscoll, finished 8th overall therefore securing a place at the Olympic games but our mens No 1, James Higgins crashed off the trampoline in his 1st routine which means he can no longer qualify to compete in London 2012.
Suffolk New College took a team of 9 volunteers to help behind the scenes with roles from stewarding in the warm up area to helping out in the event control room and overseeing the training hall. We also had students running behind the scenes to ensure results got to the Media office and the F.I.G. offices. The students had the opportunity to see first hand what is needed behind the scenes to help with the smooth running of a major event as well as seeing the performers practising and then competing.
Trudy Sharman, Suffolk New College Sports & Social Co-Ordinator said "taking the students to this major international event, which saw the best trampolinists, tumblers and Double Mini Tramp (DMT) athletes from around the world competing for the world title was fantastic. All the staff at the NIA, Birmingham made us feel very much an integral part of this major tournament and the students benefited from their experience of working behind the scenes and seeing the quality from the different countries first hand."
Student comments from the event:
Mollie Noble: " I enjoyed seeing all the athletes perform and meeting them all especially the Swedish Double mini tramp team"
Amy Smith: "I enjoyed watching all the different nationalities competing for the world title as well as my roles from stewarding to event control. The staff at the NIA at Birmingham were really kind and helpful.