JEMMA Bowie-Hallam entered the Disability National development Plan finals at New College Leicester on Sunday April 6.

Jemma entered at level 8 and successfully gained a merit. In order to gain this award she competed on floor, beam, A bars, vault and had to show a range and conditioning routine which is set by the disability technical committee at British Gymnastics.

Jemma initially thought that she could not continue competing in her chosen sport as the Welsh Squad requirements are that she must be accompanied by a coach from her club at each monthly session, and there was no coach available, however the family have always followed Gemma and supported her competing all around the world and did not want her to have to give up her dreams, so in stepped younger sister Katie who on advice from Welsh Gymnastics took a Sports Leaders course in gymnastics in order to support her sister.

Katie is supported monthly by Women’s Artistic qualified coaches who mentor her enabling her to coach Jemma, and develop her gymnastic skills.

Without the tremendous support of her family Jemma would have lost the opportunity to compete. However, Sunday saw her gain her Level 8 award as she was supported on the floor by Katie and the head coach for disability gymnastics for Wales, with older sister Joelle and mum Julie watching and supporting in the audience.