10-year-old Grace Woods from Llanelli is a competitive rhythmic gymnast. Since the age of 4, she has attended the Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, which has been established for over 25 years and is run solely by volunteers.
After winning her first competition 3 months after joining the academy, Grace’s hard work and determination has led her from strength to strength in her sport. She won gold at her first international competition in Portugal when she was 7 and then again in Gibraltar just before the COVID lockdown hit in 2020. To date, Grace has 20 gold medals, 5 silver and 5 bronze.
A typical week for Grace includes up to 30 hours of training in both her hometown academy and for the Welsh Squad in Cardiff. She is committed to her training no matter how far she must travel or how tired she is after a full day at school! Grace has also been selected for Team GB for the past two years and once a month she attends an intense 2-day training camp.
Grace’s hard work and dedication paired with the guidance and training provided by her coaches, Linda Thomas and Laura Halford (Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist) has led her to an exciting point in her sporting career. In the coming months, she is representing Wales in Rotterdam at the Victory Cup and Great Britain in the 16th International Tournament RITAM CUP 2022 in Serbia. She will also be competing to become the under 10s British Champion and under 10s Welsh Champion this summer.
Grace’s training comes at a huge cost and as she is only 10, it is difficult to find a sponsor. The cost of Grace’s Team GB camps, need for new leotards that compliment her routines her and monthly training and travel costs is a huge expense to Grace’s parents.
Grace’s mum, Samantha Woods says “We firmly believe that the cost and hard work associated with Grace’s passion is worth every penny. However, finding a sponsor would make things much easier for us financially, if you can help, please get in touch with me on 07825630651 or jones9stafford@yahoo.co.uk.”
She adds:
“We are so incredibly proud of our daughter. Grace has missed countless parties, dates with friends and sometimes just doesn’t have time to be a ‘child’ but, in Graces words “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, gym is my life and I love it!”
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