Gymnastic Competition Win for Michelle

SERC student Michelle Allen has been placed first in a NI Regional Schools Gymnastic Qualifier competition for her trampoline skills.

Michelle, (17) from Bangor, a first year on the Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport at Bangor Campus, took the top spot in the 7 -14 mixed CAT 1 Intermediate.

Michelle explains,  “The Northern Ireland Regional Schools competition, is essentially a qualifier for the Northern Zonals. In total there are four Schools competitions, the Qualifiers - which I've just competed in - then the Northern Zonals and two more competitions."

She continued, “I was placed 1st in my category which is called year 7 -14 mixed CAT 1 intermediate. Mixed means both girls and boys competing against each other. The top five in each category qualify for Zonals."

Explaining what happens in the competition,  Michelle said, “Each gymnast gets four goes on the trampoline to practise their routines beforehand which consists of ten skills -  skills that are dictated by the criteria of the gymnast’s specific category. In total each gymnast competes two routines - a set and a voluntary. The set is what you must complete, and your voluntary is something you can make up adhering to specific rules and guidelines.”

Asked how she got into trampolining Michelle said, “I took up trampolining four years ago.   I used to play netball in the Ards Blair Mayne Leisure Complex and would see the trampoline practice session across the hall and I was intrigued so I thought I would give it a go.”

Michelle has represented Northern Ireland twice in the British Inter Regional Championships, most recently coming 3rd against very stiff competition.   She added, “I am currently representing SERC in the Schools Competition and will compete again on the 24 January.”

Speaking about coming to SERC, Michelle said, “I did well in school, but I am doing even better at SERC.   Getting to focus on the subject I love – sport – is a real motivator for learning.  I am particularly enjoying learning about the psychology of sport and applying this knowledge to my own personal journey in sport.   Long term, I would like to work in the sport industry, maybe coaching, but I am keeping my options open.”