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Bexhill Observer (22/05/09): Talent Scouting
Three hundred youngsters have joined 1066 Gymnastics Academy but still owner Matthew Hart is looking for more.
He's already held trials for girls to discover future talent and now it's the turn of the boys. Matte is putting together a men's artistic development squad to train at his new premises in Brett drive, and is hoping to find newcomers to join his already successful elite boys.
The coaches are looking for speed, strength, flexibility, enthusiasm, response to instruction and natural ability.
Matte said: "We hope to offer several squad placements. Once a squad is set up it can last for several years. Starting a new squad from scratch doesn't happen every year so this is a fantastic opportunity for boys to come and show us what they've got.
"I would urge parents of any boys born between 2002 and 2004 who have lots of energy and seem to always want to throw themselves around to bring them along. Gymnastics might well be what they need to channel all that energy, and they might just be what we're looking for."
One youngster who has already made the grade is 10-year-old Callan Hall who has been training with Matte since he was six.
Matte said: "His father received a talent scout flyer through his school and put his name down. Callan walked into the gym and impressed me with his bouncy and confident nature. I offered him a trial place in a development squad and four years later he's competing at national level.
"He has a four-year-old brother named Samuel. Samuel turns five this year which is the youngest I would consider for a development squad gymnast. He has just started and comes into the gym once a week for a two hour session. He is at the stage where he is exploring the environment and being exposed to all the different apparatus while we as coaches assess him.
"While he's in the gym he gets to see his big brother in action, training. I think it's important for any new youngsters, and their parents, to see where it can all lead by being able to watch the elite gymnasts."
"Samuel hopes to follow in his brother's footsteps. It's interesting for me as a coach to work with Samuel and see if the traits I spotted in Callan four years ago are there in his brother."
The 1066 Gymnastics Academy has been open in its new home for just six weeks and in that time two boys have won national medals and membership has reached 300 and is still growing steadily.
Matte said: "We get quite a lot of people turning up to see the facilities and then end up signing their son or daughter into a class. The response from the local community has been very encouraging. People seem impressed with the quality of the facility and the range of classes offers something for everyone."
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