By Kane Green
Gymnasts from Earlestown’s Hope Acrobatic Gymnastics Club made their mark in Stoke-on-Trent last weekend, delivering standout performances at the prestigious Pat Wade Classic. The annual event, hosted by British Gymnastics, honors a true legend of the sport and attracts elite talent from across the U.K.
In the FIG Pre-Youth (11–16) Women’s Group, Daisy Kay, Hannah Gannon, and Luna Tootle arrived with high expectations following a year of consistent growth. Their coaches’ high hopes were rewarded during the Dynamic routine, where the trio executed a flawless performance to post a score of 25.400. As the final scores settled for their twelve rival trios, the Hope trio held a commanding 0.3-point lead heading into the second round.
The pressure mounted during the Balance section as their nearest challengers posted high marks. However, Kay, Gannon, and Tootle remained unfazed, delivering a faultess display that dazzled the judges. Their monumental score of 26.300 secured an emphatic overall victory, finishing more than 1.400 points ahead of competitors from some of the UK’s largest clubs.
The IDP1 Women’s Group category featured an unprecedented field of 43 trios. Hope’s experienced lineup of Isobel Stirrup, Jessica Lancaster, and Rosie Kay set the bar high as the very first to perform. Their Balance routine, a masterclass in poise, artistry, and strength, earned them a well-deserved 25.450.
Remarkably, despite 42 subsequent performances, no other group could surpass them, leaving the Hope trio with a 0.400 advantage heading into Day 2. While they followed up with a stylish Dynamic routine that kept them at the summit for much of the day, a series of exceptional late performances from their rivals eventually saw them finish in a highly respectable 4th place.
In the IDP2 Women’s Group, Mia Ellison, Darcey Cassidy, and Daisy Denmade showed immense grit. After their Dynamic routine left them in 9th place, the podium seemed a distant prospect. However, leaning into their specialty Balance routine, they surged back into contention. A stellar score of 26.000 pulled them up to 4th in the section and a commendable 5th place overall within a top-tier field.
It was an exceptional opening to the competitive year for Hope, with all three partnerships securing top-five finishes and a gold-medal performance for Kay, Gannon, and Tootle. The club now looks ahead to another major challenge: a trip to Sunbury-on-Thames for the Spelthorne International Acro Cup in two weeks’ time.