A ten-year-old Helston gymnast has become only the second boy from Cornwall to be selected for British Gymnastics' national elite training squad.

Elliot Bullen, who lives in Falmouth but trains with Swallows Gym in Helston, will now take part in intensive training six to eight times a year at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire, in addition to his regular sessions in Helston.

Only the top five gymnasts in his age group are selected each year, judged on past results.
Elliot is trained by coach Eddy Bratu, a former Romanian national team gymnast.

Donna Jenkin, head coach at Swallows, said: “We’re all very pleased. It’s a lot of commitment on the family now, and Elliot, but one I’m sure he can handle.”

Elliot has been a member of the club since he was four years old and showed a natural aptitude from the start.

It is hoped that next year he will begin competing in the British Championships, although he will need to continue progressing in order to keep his place in the national squad.

“His training programme will be tailor made, and his coach in the club has to follow it with precision,” added Donna.

This latest success for the club – which also produced the only other Cornish boy to be accepted onto the national squad – comes despite the club’s continuing battle for better facilities.

After campaigning for years to attract funds that would allow them to create a purpose built gymnasium, to no avail, the club is now making good its existing base on the Water-ma-Trout Industrial Estate.

It has refused to let this get in the way of training, however, and only last week another member, 12-year-old Calum Walklett from Camborne, became the under 12 British vault silver medallist in Glasgow