Gymnast overcomes dyspraxia to win gold

10:38am Wednesday 27th June 2001

A young Croydon gymnast recently won a gold medal at a national competition in Ports-mouth, despite having a disability which affects his balance and co-ordination.

Philip Davis, 16, suffers from dyspraxia, a condition that affects the muscles and nervous system. Nevertheless, the Purley Oaks School pupil has been an active member of Croydon School of Gymnastics since he was 10 years old.

Having won gold at the Europa Gymnastics Centre in his first six-piece apparatus Regional NDP (National Development Plan) Competition in February, Philip travelled with his team and coach Jackie Lewis to the Mountbatten Centre in Ports-mouth for his first National Disabilities NDP Finals on April 21.

The London Men's Under 16 team met regional teams from all over the country, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Guernsey and Jersey in front of a huge audience.

Jackie Lewis said: “Philip competed very competently on all apparatus and his scores reflect how he is rapidly improving at each of his competitions during 2001.”

He scored: 7.80 on floor, 7.40 pommels, 7.40 rings, 9.00 vault, 8.00 parallel bars and 7.95 for horizontal bar, giving him a total of 40.95

Philip and the team proudly brought home a team gold to add to his recent individual successes. Despite his disability he has now won three competition golds since November 2000.

He said: “I don't find competing too difficult really, and my disability certainly hasn't put me off.”

Croydon School of Gymnastics has several disabled members including those with A.D.D (Attention Deficit Disorder), Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, sight and hearing problems, but all are integrated into the programme of classes.

For many years they have been searching for new premises, as it currently operates from Purley Oaks School gym.

Jackie Lewis said: “We desperately need help from Croydon Council. They should be doing something to support these youngsters and keep the talent in Croydon, not lose them to boroughs who are providing better facilities and giving the financial support gymnastics so desperately needs.”

joshea@london.newsquest.co.uk

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