Gymnast starlets represent county in competition

Alexia Hutchinson and Sienna Kelly both competed in the North West Inter-County Championships 2018, in Wigan, on Sunday December 9.

Each gymnast competes alongside their age category in four separate events: floor, bars,vault and beam.

Alexia and Sienna competed in the Level Six Age Nine and Level Six Age Eight categories respectively.

Alexia helped her category to beat the other two county teams of Cheshire and Merseyside, and Lancashire, while Sienna’s age group placed second.

They won their place on the Greater Manchester team due to their performance in the County Championships in November.

Both girls train at Bolton Gymnastics Club, in Summerfield Road, which is run by twin sisters Jessica Walsh and Victoria Neild.

Victoria, who is also one of the head coaches at the club said: “It’s a big achievement for the club because we do half the hours of other clubs, we’re not an elite club, we’re just a regional competing club.

“We’re extremely proud, they both worked really hard. It’s fantastic.”

Victoria, 29, set up Bolton Gymnastics Club 13 years ago, before moving to their current home in 2014.

She said that Alexia and Sienna both have the tools to keep competing.

“They’ve both got natural talent, they’ve both got strength and flexibility and they’ve both got determination as well,” she added.

“They’re willing to put extra hours in at home as well as the gym.

“I want to give a shout out to our other coach Ellie Taylor as well, as she’s worked very hard with the two girls.”

Tom Hutchinson, Alexia’s proud father also paid tribute to the two girls and the coaches at the club.

He said: “Alexia came first in two of the solo events and her team came first.

“Just to make the finals was a huge achievement for these girls and for the club.

“The coaches do a fantastic job supporting and training them and work tirelessly doing so, as do all of the staff and volunteers.

“Special mention to Vic and Jess who were there on the day with Ellie.”