SOME of Suffolk New College's finest athletes turned their hands to gymnastics in attempt to bring further assets to their strongest sport.

SOME of Suffolk New College's finest athletes turned their hands to gymnastics in attempt to bring further assets to their strongest sport.

The students, who are all studying for a First Diploma in Sport, were put through their paces by national gymnastics coach Andy Wood at the Ipswich Gymnastics Centre.

The sessions involved the students being taught some of the skills required on a variety of gymnastic apparatus including asymmetric and parallel bars, the floor, vault, rings and beam.

The students are currently learning about the various components of fitness as part of their studies including muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.

The students are studying on a one-year full-time course at Suffolk New College with ambitions of progressing onto the two-year National Diploma programme or gaining employment within the sport and fitness industry.

The gymnastic sessions provided the group with a welcome change from the classroom as the students were able to put theory into practice in a physically challenging environment.

College tutor Mike McCarthy said: “The group includes some excellent local, regional and national standard sports performers including footballers, volleyball players and boxers.

“However most of the group were new to the various disciplines involved in gymnastics. The expert coaching provided by Andy (Wood), together with the opportunity to make use of the excellent facilities at the centre, made the short course a big hit with the students and helps enormously with their studies.”