A 13-year-old Harrogate gymnast has been selected for the GB Development Squad after rising through the ranks from preschool classes.
Andi-Mae Bendelow will attend a five-day Women’s Artistic Gymnastics development camp from 24th to 28th August following an impressive competition season.
The Harrogate youngster has trained at Harrogate Gymnastics since preschool and has progressed through the club's pathway to compete at national level.
Her achievements this year include finishing second on beam at the English Championships in Telford in February and seventh overall from the top 60 gymnasts in England.
That performance secured her a place at the British Championships at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in March.
She was subsequently selected for the England Squad and invited to trial for the GB Development Squad at Lilleshall.
After attending an initial three-day camp, Andi-Mae was selected as a full member of the GB Development Squad.
She said:
“This year has been incredible. Winning a medal at the English Championships and getting my all-around score was a complete surprise, and finding out a few weeks later that I would be competing at the British Championships in Liverpool was a dream come true.
“After that, I went back to the gym and found out I had been invited to join the English squad and attend a GB Development Squad trial at Lilleshall, which felt crazy.
“At the trial I tried my very hardest to impress the coaches, and when I got back a few days later Chloe and my gym friends surprised me with the news that I had been invited to be part of the GB Development Squad."
She added:
“I can’t wait to go to the next GB camp as an official squad member. I love gymnastics and I feel like I’m living in a dream at the moment.
“A massive thank you to all my coaches at Harrogate Gymnastics for encouraging and supporting me all along.”
Andi-Mae currently trains for 20 hours each week and is coached by Harrogate Gymnastics founder Chloe Carey.
Chloe said:
“We are incredibly proud of Andi-Mae. She has been part of Harrogate Gymnastics since she was very young, so to see her progress all the way from preschool classes to national competition and GB Development Squad selection is really special.
“Her achievement reflects years of hard work, commitment and determination.
“It is also a lovely example of the pathway available here in Harrogate, from children taking their very first gymnastics classes through to those who want to progress and compete.
“For us, gymnastics is about confidence, enjoyment, passion and choice. Some children come to us for fun, fitness and friendship, and others go on to compete.
“Andi-Mae’s story shows what can happen when a young person finds something they love and is supported to keep progressing.”
Andi-Mae's parents, Sarah King and Steve Bendelow, said this year marks a decade since their daughter joined the club.
They said:
“As a family we are so incredibly proud of everything Andi-Mae has achieved so far.
“This year marks ten years at Harrogate Gymnastics Club and Andi-Mae still skips in as enthusiastic for the next skill as she did the day she started.
“The consistent support, dedication and hard work from Andi-Mae and all her coaches have allowed her to thrive, while keeping a good balance between gym, school and downtime with family and friends.
“We cannot wait to see what comes next.”
Harrogate Gymnastics is based at The Zone at Hornbeam Park and provides classes ranging from early years and recreational gymnastics to competitive squad training.
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