Happy in that we are not over-happy.

Things are going rather well at the moment, which is upsetting. It's always comforting to have something to whinge about.

The new timetable for training seems to be working well: the Squad sessions are sharper and less crowded, and everyone seems to be working purposefully and quite hard. And those who are unfortunate enough not to have a partner at the moment (a perennial problem in Acro, which depends upon stable and long-lasting partnerships) are being gainfully employed and taught new skills. I think that just about all of the issues that we faced last year have been sorted, or at least addessed. So that's good.

We have the Club Competition coming up next Sunday. This is a major event for us (Emma H. reckons that there are more partnerships competing than in the Regionals) and the coordination is a major logistical exercise. Parents and non-competing gymnasts (including some of the above) are being put on the judging panels, I think with the hope that, down the line, some of them will become qualified as judges. That's really good!

A photographer has also been arranged, who will take 'proper' pictures of the gymnasts and their routines; proofs of these will be displayed on the day so that pictures can be ordered there and then for a reasonable price. Excellent!

And the following weekend, there are the NDP Nationals at Fenton. Three partnerships from Stafford GC are competing there. In Grade 2 Women's Pairs, we have Jenny Wilson and Daisy Stanier. They have a wonderful sparkle on the floor and obviously enjoy every moment of what they're doing.

Two groups are competing at Grade 4. Abbie Callow, Lauren Baines and Emily Kolk make a wonderful trio, and quite a lot of space has been given on the Acro Gallery page to chart their progress this year. This will be Emily's second outing to the Nationals in 2 years. Last year she competed in a Grade 1 Pair with Chelsie Cook and won a Bronze against stiff competition with Chelsie and Jen Dailly in Grade 2 WG.

Finally, Sarah Mander-James will be partnered by Daisy Dailly. This is a relatively short partnership, so far. Daisy had been working with Dean when he retired from competition earlier in the year, and Sarah's partnership with Rosie had also just ended, so it was natural for them to work together. All this happened in February, so they've had to work hard to learn the high-level moves needed and put two routines together - but they've made it. The only picture I've got of them is a snap-shot grabbed in training a few weeks ago.

A couple of other friends who will also be at the Nationals, from South Staffs Gym Club: Rosie Robinson, Sarah M-J's former partner will make half of a Grade 1 WP - they did extremely well to qualify in the Regionals with little time to prepare; also Jess Perry will partner Carly Robinson (Rosie's sister, I believe) and Jessica Burlton at Grade 4 - which will put them in competition with Abbie, Lauren & Em (so that will have to be a Silver, then). If you know of any I've missed, please add a Comment.

Things are looking so damn chipper that I think I'm going to start blogging something else. Hopefully we'll see you at one or both of these events.

S.