A nine-year-old gymnast from The Elms Junior School is on top of the world after being selected for the prestigious World Gymnaestrada gymnastics festival in Helsinki, Finland next year.
Caitlin White, from Castle Donington, is a member of Enigma, a gymnastics display squad, and part of Mickleover Gymnastics Club. She is one of no fewer than 13 Enigma gymnasts who will fly to Finland next July for World Gymnaestrada.
Held every four years, Gymnaestrada is not a competition, but a chance to perform to a huge audience with gymnasts from all over the world. It attracts the largest number of active participants of any International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) event with around 20,000 gymnasts from more than 50 nations taking part. Enigma will perform on different stages throughout their week in Helsinki and will perform in the opening and closing ceremonies with all the gymnasts.
Caitlin's role in Enigma is that of a 'flyer', which means that as one of the lightest gymnasts she is lifted and thrown around in their displays.
The youngster, in Year 4 at The Elms in Long Eaton, was five when she started gymnastics and soon joined Mickleover Gymnastics Club. Having spent the early part of her fledgling career focusing on artistic gymnastics, including competing in county and regional competitions, last autumn she tried out for Enigma and hasn't looked back! In May she performed at the Royal Albert Hall with Enigma and members of the artistic squad in a gymnastics and dance festival.
Mum Alex admits, despite her youth, Caitlin's dedication to her sport in inspiring. She said: "Helsinki is undoubtedly the biggest event she has ever been selected for, and it is very exciting. At the moment, her training is 10 hours a week, but this will increase substantially over the coming months.
"She has already had to make some tough choices to be able to fulfill the training requirements. There are several compulsory events run by British Gymnastics she has to attend in order for Enigma to be assessed over the next year, some of which clash with family celebrations and parties she can't go to.
"These include performing at the London Festival of Gymnastics in October, and attending the British Gymnastics training centre in Lillishall in November. The gymnasts will be measured for their GB tracksuits at this time, and also start to learn a display routine that all British Gymnasts will perform in the opening and closing ceremonies. It is very demanding but she is relishing every second of it all.
"Gymnastics hasn't impacted on school life so far, although homework is often completed in the car on the way to training!"
Caitlin is the youngest member of Enigma going to Helsinki for World Gymnaestrada, which is being held from 12-18 July 2015. For more information on the event visit www.wg-2015.com
For more information about The Elms Junior School and Nursery visit www.elmsschool.net
Caitlin White, from Castle Donington, is a member of Enigma, a gymnastics display squad, and part of Mickleover Gymnastics Club. She is one of no fewer than 13 Enigma gymnasts who will fly to Finland next July for World Gymnaestrada.
Held every four years, Gymnaestrada is not a competition, but a chance to perform to a huge audience with gymnasts from all over the world. It attracts the largest number of active participants of any International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) event with around 20,000 gymnasts from more than 50 nations taking part. Enigma will perform on different stages throughout their week in Helsinki and will perform in the opening and closing ceremonies with all the gymnasts.
Caitlin's role in Enigma is that of a 'flyer', which means that as one of the lightest gymnasts she is lifted and thrown around in their displays.
The youngster, in Year 4 at The Elms in Long Eaton, was five when she started gymnastics and soon joined Mickleover Gymnastics Club. Having spent the early part of her fledgling career focusing on artistic gymnastics, including competing in county and regional competitions, last autumn she tried out for Enigma and hasn't looked back! In May she performed at the Royal Albert Hall with Enigma and members of the artistic squad in a gymnastics and dance festival.
Mum Alex admits, despite her youth, Caitlin's dedication to her sport in inspiring. She said: "Helsinki is undoubtedly the biggest event she has ever been selected for, and it is very exciting. At the moment, her training is 10 hours a week, but this will increase substantially over the coming months.
"She has already had to make some tough choices to be able to fulfill the training requirements. There are several compulsory events run by British Gymnastics she has to attend in order for Enigma to be assessed over the next year, some of which clash with family celebrations and parties she can't go to.
"These include performing at the London Festival of Gymnastics in October, and attending the British Gymnastics training centre in Lillishall in November. The gymnasts will be measured for their GB tracksuits at this time, and also start to learn a display routine that all British Gymnasts will perform in the opening and closing ceremonies. It is very demanding but she is relishing every second of it all.
"Gymnastics hasn't impacted on school life so far, although homework is often completed in the car on the way to training!"
Caitlin is the youngest member of Enigma going to Helsinki for World Gymnaestrada, which is being held from 12-18 July 2015. For more information on the event visit www.wg-2015.com
For more information about The Elms Junior School and Nursery visit www.elmsschool.net