South Durham Gymnastics is celebrating a major milestone as two of its Performance Squad athletes, Clover Parkin and Grace Humberstone, have been selected by NGA USA to attend the NGA National Training Camp in Tennessee this October, representing both South Durham Gymnastics and NGA UK on an international stage.
The elite training camp will take place at the world-renowned FlipFest Gymnastics Camp, one of the top gymnastics facilities in the USA.
It offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train alongside some of the country’s best NGA athletes in a high-performance, immersive environment.
Clover and Grace earned their invitation through exceptional performances at the NGA UK National Finals, where they finished as the top two scorers in the Diamond level, an impressive achievement that reflects their talent, commitment, and dedication to the sport.
Out of the entire UK, only six gymnasts have been invited to this international training experience, and two of them come from South Durham Gymnastics.
The pair will travel as part of an NGA UK delegation comprising six gymnasts, three coaches, and one welfare officer.
South Durham is also proud to announce that Coach Jade Armstrong, a former GB National Gymnast, has been selected to join the coaching team for the trip.
“This is not just a proud moment for Clover and Grace, but also a huge credit to the coaching team who have supported them every step of the way,” said Head Coach Kelly Milnes.
“Coaches Jade Armstrong and Julie Cornwell have worked closely with the girls throughout their journey, and it’s fantastic to see that dedication recognised.”
The girls will enjoy a fully funded camp experience, including world-class training, accommodation, meals, travel, and even a special sightseeing trip to Nashville, all part of what promises to be an unforgettable adventure.
This remarkable achievement is not only a reward for years of hard work — it also marks a fitting high point to South Durham Gymnastics’ first year within the NGA competition programme.
“We are incredibly proud of Clover and Grace,” said Milnes.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter in their gymnastics journey, one filled with growth, inspiration, and memories that will last a lifetime.”