Nicola takes a tumble

University of Teesside student and gymnast Nicola Green is aiming to represent Great Britain at Senior level in future European and World championships. Her chosen sport is tumbling, a gymnastic discipline that incorporates a range of skills, including twists, vaults, summersaults and backward movements. Currently the sport is not recognised by the Olympic Committee. However, if their approval is given, Nicola will also aim for the 2004 games in Greece.

Nicola, 19, from Guisborough, has successfully completed the first year of a BSc (Hons) degree in Sport and Exercise. Before enrolling at Teesside Nicola gained three ‘A’ levels in Biology, Physical Education, and English at Prior Pursglove College. She first became interested in gymnastics at the age of four. Nicola said: “My mother took me for a ballet lesson but I went straight up onto the wall bars.”

Since then Nicola has achieved several top ten finishes against countries such as Russia, Ukraine, South Africa, Georgia and Bulgaria. In April this year she represented Teesside in a national British Universities Sporting Association (BUSA) competition, held in Wales, clinching first place.

She combines fourteen hours training a week and study with coaching at Gymworld in Middlesbrough, where she teaches gymnastic skills to children aged 5-12.

Nicola added: “I’ve enjoyed making new friends in my first year at University and the coaching modules, which is why I’ve chosen to specialise in coaching science next year.”

When she graduates Nicola is aiming to qualify as a Secondary PE teacher. For more details on BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise degrees at the University of Teesside please call 01642 342308 or check the University’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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