Billy-Joe Poole and Amy Brown from East Kent Acro put in an excellent showing at the Acrobatic and Tumbling Gymnastics national finals in Stoke.

On the first day of pairs competition, the youngsters (pictured right) from the Deal club tackled acrobatic routines – a series of complex individual and partner moves combined with dance.

In the balance routine, they made an unaccustomed slip on their first move which cost them points but they were able to perform the rest of the routine flawlessly and were lying in sixth place going into their second routine.

They performed their dynamic routine well, winning special praise from the judges.

Although they scored 25.8, the highest marks for a dynamic routine in their class, it wasn’t quite enough to make up ground they had lost and take them into the medals.

The following day, Poole took part at National 3 tumbling. The Sandwich Technology student was extremely consistent, lying in second place
after his first two runs which was more than enough to book his place in the finals.

His final run of routines scored an impressive 26.1, his best score of the day. It wasn’t quite enough to clinch first place, but his combined total of 77.70 won him the silver medal, just 0.4 behind the eventual winner.

EKA joint head coach Becki Carty said: "It was a rewarding weekend and the club is proud of Billy-Joe and Amy for their achievements."

East Kent Acro are based at Tides Leisure Centre, Deal and welcome children aged five to 16 of all abilities into their recreational sessions.

For more information on the club, email eastkentacro@hotmail.com