Gymnast helps next generation

A young gymnast who is hoping to compete in the 2012 Olympics led sessions for children at a Southwell preschool.

Niamh Rippin (15) of Kirklington Road, Southwell, taught children basic gymnastic skills at Prebend Preschool.

Niamh’s training for the Olympics has been interrupted by a knee injury, which left her unable to train for eight weeks.

She said if she was injured again it may mean she could not compete in the games.

Niamh, a pupil at the Minster School, Southwell, said: “I would like to compete in all-round gymnastics unless I am injured.

“We have decided I am not competing this season because I have missed so much training and so many competitions.”

Niamh, who trains for 30 hours a week at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, West Bridgford, hopes to begin competing again by September.

She said: “At the moment I have been learning more skills to add into my routines.”

Niamh thought it was good for younger children to learn gymnastic skills.

She said: “I started when I was about six but I went into proper gymnastics when I was about seven. The earlier you can start the better.”

Niamh said she had enjoyed working with the children at the preschool.

She said: “They were learning forward rolls along the mats and learning how to present once they have finished.

“They have done a lot of running around but most of them wanted to have a go.

“I don’t know if there are any future gymnasts but if they are willing to have a go and do all the training then I am sure there could be.”

Niamh, a member of the Great Britain Junior Squad, has represented her country at international events including the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney in 2007.