IT was a good start to the year for six young Kestrel gymnasts aged from 7-9 who all passed their grades at the East Area competition. 

Rosie Wilson entered Grade 14 together with 8 year-old Heather Dent who gained a distinction for her excellent performance with a score of 12.20 on A-Bars and 12.05 on Vault. 

In the afternoon competition it was the turn of Jessica Ham, Lauren Heal, Eva Cliff and Amy Turner to be rewarded for their hard work with a pass in Grade 13, all achieving scores of 11.00 and above on some apparatus. 

"I'm very proud of them. They have worked extremely hard for their grades," said their coach, Shirley Lazère-Bennett.