This year the team won the English and British Gymnastics Championships for the 12-18 age group, and now they have received a County Durham Together Award to add to their trophy cabinet.
When asked about their biggest achievement, Jayden said: “Definitely the County Durham Award together.”
The team has competed internationally, including in Portugal, and enjoyed success at the European Championships in Bulgaria this year – their first time representing the country. They tried out for Team GB and came out on top ahead of another group of four.
The County Durham boys were due to compete at the British Championships in 2022 and could have taken a British title, but Jayden suffered a fall.
As a group they have shown incredible commitment to overcome any injuries, partnership changes and a huge gap in training during the pandemic.
There was laughter as host Peter Barron allowed the audience at the Hardwick Hall Hotel to decide who was responsible for Jayden’s tumble, with the youngster claiming his colleague Ben “went out” and dropped him. Ben protests his innocence.
“I don’t want to make a big rift,” Peter joked. Remember in the beginning when I said it would be like a family gathering at Christmas and no one would fall!
Speaking about being national and European champions, Ben said: “It means a lot and shows we have put in a lot of work to get to this point and be the best in the country.”
To put an end to their “feud”, Ben safely carried Jayden off the stage after they received their award.
The group’s next goal is to secure Britain’s selection for the World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships in Israel in 2024.
They were also nominated in this category…
Horworth School’s under-15 girls’ football team who won the English School Football Association Small Schools National Cup at St George’s Park and the Darlington Town Cup in the same season.
Jessica Hall Her many achievements include winning the Bridget Jackson Ladies Scratch Championship, the Durham County Women’s Championship five times, the Bishop Auckland Club Championship (her home club) nine times, and the England Golf Club’s Ladies’ Order of Merit for the 2023 season.
