The Plantsbrook School trampoline team have started 2019 with a spring in their step after their trampolining team reached new heights.
The trampolining stars of Plantsbrook School were already head over heels after being named the best in the West Midlands in December, at an event in Cannock.
But on January 20th they took part in the ‘zonal’ championships in Hatfield, involving schools from Wales, the Midlands and the East of England.
And while the team failed to reach the heights they hoped for at the event, they cemented their place as the best in the West Midlands.
The Plantsbrook School trampoline team has an impressive trampolining pedigree, having won national and regional titles in the British Schools Gymnastics Association competitions in the past.
But coach Deb Danks – who over 15 years has trained hundreds of young trampolinists at the school – explained that the pupils who join the Plantsbrook School trampoline team gain much more than medals.
“Of course, it teaches them discipline, but it also develops them as people,” she said.
“Trampolining teaches them about the importance of teamwork and supporting each other, because they are all of different abilities. Regardless of their abilities, no one is treated differently here and everyone is encouraged and supported.
“I’m very proud of the team and everyone who takes part in the sessions. They work so hard.”
The team trains weekly in the school sports hall, with some of the pupils going on to join clubs to develop their skills further.
Trampolining teaches them about the importance of teamwork and supporting each other, because they are all of different abilities. Regardless of their abilities, no one is treated differently here and everyone is encouraged and supported.”
– Deb Danks
“We have a real pedigree for trampolining at Plantsbrook – we always get someone through to the zonals,” Deb said.
“One of our former pupils is now a member of the national squad coaching team, after he caught the trampolining bug here at Plantsbrook.”
Now Deb, who lives in Kingstanding, is looking forward to a new sports hall being erected at the school, as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the site.
“We had always had fantastic support from the school, who see real value in what we do,” she said.
“We have carried on with trampolining here for so long and we have proven that it works – the results speak for themselves.
“It will be good to see the new sports hall completed – I just hope the ceiling is high enough!”
For more about Plantsbrook, click here.