Spring into Fitness!

Up, Up and Away!

I spent the week at the Bishops Challenor school holiday programme delivering trampolining to local children in East London. I have been coaching there every holiday since last summer, and enjoyed catching up with some of the other coaches and youth workers.  It was nice to continue coaching some kids that I have coached previously, as well as meeting some great new kids too. By the end of the week we were working on hands and knees turnovers to feet.  I managed to get to my feet for the first time, and was very proud of myself.  It was fun, but exhausting!   I also played a toned-down version of dodgeball with the staff and kids which was great fun!  Girls versus boys, but afraid to say that girls lost!  But we put up a good fight.  One of the staff members is starting an adult dodge ball game on Monday nights.  Contact me if you’re interested.

Chanelle was at Danson Youth Club over the holidays coaching with Holly and Liz.  She progressed performers to hands and knees to donkey kicks.

Things at Greenwich Bouncers were very quiet all week, which has made us rethink our school holiday opening policy for the next school year. It’s possible that we may not open during school holidays, but no decision has been made yet. What do you think?

Our adult Bounce your way to Fitness programme went well over the break with the participants working really hard and seeing amazing results! Two of our ladies were so happy when they did a handstand – something they hadn’t done since school, at least 10 years! We have noticed increased stamina, confidence and improved performance over the last few weeks, with some talking about signing up again for the next round in May!

Chanelle and our two Volunteers, Chloe and Magdalene, went on the first day of a 2-day Trampoline Club Judge course which will enable us to run in-house competitions as well as being able to offer our services to schools, other clubs or leisure centres who wish to run their own competitions. Their exam is in a couple of weeks and hopefully they would all be qualified quite soon. It is a requirement of the London Youth Games that we provide at least one judge to represent our club for the competition. If you want to find out more about trampoline judging, check out this website: http://www.trampolining-online.co.uk/judging/judging-for-dummies/index.php

We are training really hard for the Youth Games, with the squad members being finalised within the next couple of weeks. Potential candidates have been working really hard and we spent this last week working on the compulsory routine. Progress is being made and we are feeling pleased with the commitment and dedication of our members.

Get Fit, Have Fun!
Anne-Sonia & Chanelle
www.greenwichbouncers.co.uk

Spring Half Term

Business as usual for Greenwich Bouncers  during the school holiday week –  we had a poor turnout for some sessions, and a very good turnout for others.  Our Monday Bounce Your Way to Fitness session is in the second week, and already the participants are being challenged by Chanelle and enjoying the different ways that trampolining can be used to increase fitness levels, including back bounces.  I am participating in this whole programme, as well of joining in the end of the Saturday sessions.  My goal is to improve my upper body strength, which is pathetically weak!

 We have started the third round of Saturday Bounce programme.  Two of our ladies, Sarah and Tina, have been on all three programmes and have really been enjoying it.  The pace has stepped up a bit for them and most of their exercises are done in 40 rep cycles, plus they say that the run round the field is getting easier.  Tina is really chuffed that she is able to do the crab – something she was unable to do at the beginning of the programme, and Sarah is almost there as well!

I was at Bishops Challenor School in Shadwell, East London, for the whole week on their school holiday programme (http://www.bishop-learningvillage.towerhamlets.sch.uk/).    The days were divided up into the smaller children in the morning and the older children in the evening.  Some of them were participating in the Tower Hamlets Summer University programme (http://www.summeruni.org/pages/help_us/tutors.mhtml).  All of them learnt the warm-up routine after the first couple of days, mostly without prompting.  We had fun playing some games and having races.  All attendees learnt moves that would take them up to award 4 of the British Gymnastics Award and Certificate scheme.

Chanelle joined me for a couple of the days and we had four trampolines out!  We spent some of the time teaching progressions for somersaulting, including hands and knees turnovers, working alongside Mr Henry, the PE teacher.

Chanelle also spent a couple of days at the Danson Youth Centre holiday programme (http://www.dansonyouth.org.uk/) where she coached the regulars.

The highlight of the week for me was seeing some old friends, including Peri Shakes-Drayton at the school – she looks great!  She is going to visit us at the Club soon.  I met and had fun with streetdance tutor, Katie, who had a go at trampolining and loved it.  On Friday I saw Danni again – we worked together last year on this same programme – she is also a streetdance tutor.  She has her own business – you can check out her website:  http://dancewithdanni.com/index.html.

Hope you have a good week,

Anne-Sonia & Chanelle
www.greenwichbouncers.co.uk