LOCAL gymnast Cameron Sinden, who lives in Chapmanslade, is celebrating his gymnastic career with a recent team Gold for Wales in the Porto Cup and his TV debut on CBBC show ‘Gymstars’.
Cameron, an all-around gymnast who trains at Fromeside gym in Winterbourne, Bristol and competes at national level for Wales, started gymnastics at the age of 10.
He started his gymnastics at Leighton Recreation Centre in a hall with little equipment, but his natural ability and the help from his grandad allowed him to start competing at the age of 11, making the Welsh squad by the age of 14 where last year he became the Welsh Men’s National champion.
He is able to qualify for the Wales team as his nan is Welsh. He also takes the opportunity of having the training centre nearer to home, rather than the England training centre up in Lilleshall. He enjoys being able to train more, visiting the training centre once a month, more times if he can.
Recently, Cameron was the captain of one of the Welsh teams at the Porto Cup, where they competed in Portugal. Team Wales took along four individual gymnasts as well as two teams. The two teams managed to secured a 1-2 finish, with Cameron’s team taking gold.
Due to his success, British Gymnastics put Cameron’s name forward to be filmed for a new CBBC show, ‘Gymstars’ that follows the lives of young gymnasts across various disciplines including artistic and rhythmic. There were only 15 children involved and they were filmed inside and outside of training to show the lives of up-and-coming gymnasts,
“It was cool,” Cameron told White Horse News “I do drama at school, so having the cameras around didn’t really affect me, I’m used to performing so took to it naturally but it was fun!”
Hayley Sinden, Cameron’s mum added, “It’s a great bit of exposure for him. He is one of the oldest kids who train at his gym, so the younger ones look up to him for inspiration. The TV show is a great way to inspire other kids to get involved with gymnastics. It shows that even with the travelling and Cameron taking his A-levels that competing at this level is do-able.”
Cameron, an all-around gymnast with particular talent in floor and pommel horse, has a bit of time off now as competition season has come to an end. Next for him will be the London open in September. Now, with his age, he no longer participates in grade competitions, it’s all focus on the British and Welsh championships, the Porto Cup for Wales and hopefully, if selected, the European Championships.
Stuart Sinden, Cameron’s dad added, “I just wanted to say how supportive Matravers School have been. Without their help and support Cameron couldn’t have these opportunities to compete. The teachers and headteacher Dr. Riding have been so helpful. It’s a fantastic school.”
Find Cameron and his teammates from Fromeside Gym on CBBC’s Gymstars on Tuesdays at 5.45pm.
