A GYMNASTICS coach is on top of the world as her troupe of teenage girls prepare to fly to Estonia to represent Great Britain in a prestigious competition.

The six young gymnasts, all of whom are members of Esprit Gymnastics’ junior group, will head to Europe on Wednesday, to take part in the Miss Valentine competition against some of the best young gymnasts in the world.

After that the busy troupe will fly out to Greece in March to strut their stuff in front of the judges once again.

“The girls are really excited,” said coach Cherie Skeats. “I’m very proud of them and I’m sure they will do well.”

Esprit Gymnastic, in Headlands Grove, teaches world-class gymnastics to children and young people, and Cherie has been a coach there for more than ten years.

“They have done a lot of hard work, usually training for four or five days a week. We are all really looking forward to going to Athens in March as well. It’s a really exciting time for us and I’m sure they will enjoy it.”

The girls – Miriam Rodrigues, Hannah Dagg, Georgette Jeapes, Abi Booth, Lily Gage and Madison Kennelly – will be in Estonia for six days showing the judges, and, indeed, the world, their best moves.

Thirteen-year-old Abi Booth, from Freshbrook, said: “I feel confident, but I’m a bit nervous because we are up against the Russians, who are the Olympic champions.

“But I am very excited and I hope we can do well.”

For Abi, it will be the first time she will be performing rhythmic gymnastics on the world stage.

The Commonweal student said: “In most competitions there are always a lot of people in the audience and a table of judges, which will be quite daunting.”

This year’s event marks the 23rd Miss Valentine competition which is held in Estonia every year in February.

It is one of the oldest gymnastics competitions in the world and has proven very popular with both rhythmic and aesthetic gymnasts.