Bognor trampolinists take talents to virtual world

Back in March they contacted clubs across the UK asking for video competition entries in case the event scheduled for April at Burgess Hill was cancelled.

Two sessions later the country came to a stand still.

With performers already in isolation because of underlying health issues, three Flyers returning from illness and Covid measures actively in place, the club had a tough call to make.

Three excited tram-polinists wanted to have fun with the opportunity and they encouraged the coaches to go with their heart and to film them immediately in case the club had to close. Taking into account the mental well-being of the youngsters, Dragonflyers deemed it in the trampolinists’ best interest to attempt an entry.

Izzy Hauxwell, Zoe Maskell and Daniel Boon’s determination, dedication and inner strength shone through to produce modified routines that made the club proud. With the government announcing lockdown the following day, the pandemic meant all upcoming events were cancelled, so all the opportunities the jumpers were working hard towards were stripped away, along with their GCSEs and A-levels, proms and celebrations, festivals and holidays.

The virtual league offered a much-needed positive, a way to display the effort and talent of more than 300 trampolinists throughout the UK, a phenomenal response in such a short time.

Hauxwell competed DMT (a new sport for Flyers) for the first time on the national circuit at level three and in hit both rounds with power and precision finishing in second place with a score of 59.2.

Boon participated in his first league event, and a 5.2 difficulty and score of 74.868, placed him third at level three men’s 15-16 years.

With doubles waiting to compete, there is much more to come from Boon.

Zoe Maskell, at level three women 15-16 years, scored 78.496 at 6.5 difficulty to finish a credible seventh.

Hauxwell’s array of double somersault with twists along with double and triple twisting single somersault gained her sixth place at level one 17-plus and seventh place at the Super League.

Just to compete at this level is a fantastic achievement; it’s even more incredible for someone who trains a max of six hours a week in term time only.