ETKO Sports Academy was well represented at the recent Aberdeenshire Gymnastics & Trampoline Festival in Inverurie.
Various teams of ETKO gymnasts took part across the different age categories, producing some great results. These included team gold for the age 8-9 boys and age 10-11 girls, with a further team bronze for the 8-9 girls. Several gymnasts also gained individual medals, including overall gold for combined floor and vault performances for Naomi Mclaughlin (10-11 girls) and Innes Morrison (8-9 boys).
For the majority of the ETKO Sports Academy representatives, this was their first experience of competition. Laura Etko, head coach and director of ETKO Sports Academy, was impressed by their conduct and performance.
“Taking part in your first multi-club event can be daunting but our youngsters kept calm and drew on all their hard work in training,” she said. “It was very pleasing to see them perform to their potential when faced with a big occasion. Their strong results were very well deserved and are also testament to the efforts of our coaching team, who work diligently with our gymnasts week to week.
“At ETKO Sports Academy, our overriding focus is on teaching our gymnasts the fundamentals of the sport to ensure that progress is made safely and at the right pace. We welcome all abilities and aim to give everyone an enjoyable and meaningful experience, along with access to different sporting pathways. Events such as the Aberdeenshire Gymnastics and Trampoline Festival are a great additional opportunity for those who have an interest in competing.”
ETKO Sports Academy was founded in 2008 by former international gymnast Laura Etko and her husband Viorel (Vio), a current Veteran World Champion in wrestling and a 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist. The company, which employs 21 people, is committed to helping people achieve their sporting potential and encouraging long-term participation in sport.