Gymnastics: Gym'll fix it for Dreghorn kid

Feb 6 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

GYM’LL FIX IT FOR DAVID

AN after-school come and try session has led to a Dreghorn youngster being chosen for specialist coaching with the Scottish national gymnastic elite squad.

Ten-year-old David Weir was immediately hooked on the sport after giving it a go at Dreghorn Primary School and decided to take things a stage further by joining a club at nearby Dundonald.

But the coach immediately recognised that he had a very special talent on his hands and David, from Staffa Court, was soon directed towards Largs Gymnastic Club at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre where he could receive more specialist training.

"It's the only place in the area which offers elite specialised coaching for boys and I go there straight from school four nights a week," said David.

"Its hard work but I really enjoy it and it's made a huge difference to my performances."

And all the hard work is really paying off after David turned in a truly exceptional performance at the Scottish Regional and National Development Championships at Bellahouston.

Competing over two, four and six exercises the youngster blew the opposition away taking gold in all three competitions.

Now, in addition to training at Inverclyde, David has been invited to join the elite Scotland group and will train with the national squad at the Palace of Art Sports for Excellence Centre at Bellahouston one Sunday a month and at Inverclyde every weekend under the eagle eyes of the country's top coaches.

"It's a bit different from football and the sports most other boys of my age play," said David.

"Gymnastics involves six different disciplines – the mat, vaulting horse, high bars, parallel bars, pommel horse and rings – and it's a really tough sport.

"But I've taken to it really quickly and I'd like to go all the way to the top."

David is next back in action in March when he competes in the Scottish Regional NDP competition with the hope of gaining a place in the squad which will represent Scotland in the British NDP Finals at Newcastle’s Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence on May 2 and 3.