We were absolutely delighted and honoured to welcome the British Olympic gymnast, Beth Tweddle, to Badminton on Monday. The three times World Champion and Olympic bronze medal winner joined thirty two very excited Year 7s (and a pupil from J6!) for their morning PE lesson.
After a rather gruelling but enjoyable warm up session, the World Champion put them through their gymnastic paces in the School Gym. The girls practiced forward rolls, half hand stands and were shown how to present their moves to the judges both before and after a performance.
Following this, they worked in small groups and, a little nervously, presented their routine to Beth and the PE staff. All had encouraging comments and tips given and when the lesson finished, they all showed their huge appreciation and requested Beth’s photo and autograph.
Beth then went on to join Year 11 in the Peace Memorial Hall, where she gave a unique insight into the highs and lows of being a professional gymnast; taking the girls on a journey from her early lessons with a friend, through to dropping down to number 50 in the British rankings before success came at age 16. With great modesty and good humour, she stressed the value and importance of hard work, commitment, regular practice of the basic routines and following one’s dream however unachievable it might initially seem. Her journey from Athens to Beijing to London was incredible in its excitement but also, she showed how close the athlete is to disaster through injury and how narrow the margins for success are.
Following lunch with the Head Girls, Sports Captains and Senior Ambassador, both Year 10 and J6 listened to Beth speak. As in the morning, Beth’s video produced a stunned silence, particularly the section of her dancing on ice and all were again spellbound.
Following many more autographs and photos, Beth departed leaving us all very inspired and enthused by her and incredible gymnastic achievements.
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