One of the biggest local events will soon have gymnasts leaping for joy.
Cayman has an exciting team for the Classic. |
The 2008 edition of the Cayman Classic will be held 7-8 June. Motions Unlimited Studio will be the site for some of Cayman’s young stars.
Cayman will be up against strong regional teams. These include Barbados, Trinidad and the United States.
The Classic, already in its third year, is being hosted by the Cayman Islands Gymnastics Association (CIGA).
Chairperson of the CIGA Bernice Scott says the event is a vital part of the local scene.
‘This meet is important as it affords the athletes the opportunity to show case their talents and hard work on home turf.
‘This local meet allows friends and family as well as other well wishers to come out and support their Caymanian gymnasts. The girls are very excited.’
The Cayman team will see some changes. Some of the girls are expected to be competing at a new level for the first time.
Nevertheless, Mrs Scott feels the girls will be ready for the competition.
‘The girls are training an average of 12 hours after school each week. Their dedication to the sport is commendable and their presence abroad has proven these young athletes to be superb ambassadors for our country.’
The Cayman Classic comes off the heels of the recent Gasparilla Classic. There, the Cayman contingent did well snagging many individual medals and team trophies.
Scott feels the Cayman team at the local Classic is a solid side that will get better with more coaching.
‘Cayman should be proud of their team as they have continuously amazed us with their dedication, love and discipline to the sport and their coaches.
‘With the experience and dedication of the local coaches, the CIGA is hopeful that Cayman will develop an even stronger women’s competitive team in addition to developing a male team in the future.’
Having just been established in 2007, the CIGA has done a lot to aid local gymnasts. From car washes to raffles, the group has done whatever it could to obtain funding.
In fact, the CIGA also helped with the financial costs of the event. They purchased leotards, snacks for the athletes, and subsidized the cost of a weekly dance session for the team (as part of their training) with a certified dance instructor.
Moreover, the CIGA went abroad this year to market the Classic. Officials say they have promoted the event regionally as well as in the United States. They also organized team accommodations, meetings with officials and judges and a welcome reception for the competitors.
Furthermore a number of local businesses are stepping up to help out. Among the eleven Cayman Classic sponsors are Burger King, Caribbean Construction and First Caribbean Bank.
Without these sponsors Scott says the meet would never run. She said the commitment of local companies is crucial to putting on a good meet.
Scott went on to say that the future of local gymnastics is sky-high.
‘The future for local gymnasts is wide-open. Many children are beginning the sport younger and may progress through the ranks faster than the already successful members of the competitive team.
‘For now our immediate goal is to become a stronger force in the Caribbean and have a team ready for the competition in 2009.’
For more information, contact Bernice Scott at 916-1878 or e-mail [email protected].
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