Sam Oldham - Picture credit StillSport

The country’s top gymnasts are set to compete at Loughborough University next year with the announcement that the 2015 English Artistic Championships are to be held on campus.

The Championships will be staged in the Sir David Wallace Sports Hall from 13–15 March and will include men’s and women’s senior, men’s and women’s junior, boys and espoir (girls) events.

The senior gymnasts will not only be seeking national titles but also selection for the European Championships in Montpellier in April and the World Championships being held in Glasgow in October.

The sport has seen unprecedented success over the last five years with the country’s top gymnasts winning medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and recent World and European Championships.

At the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games the Team England gymnastics squad won 19 medals to top the table.

Sam Oldham, who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal for England in the men’s team event, and trains at the facilities at Loughborough University said:

“The English Artistic Championships next year are very significant. We have our Europeans in April and the English Championships are one of only two trials we have, so our results there directly reflect on whether we get selected for the GB team.”

Sam, who recently joined the Loughborough Students Gymnastics Club and helped the men’s squad secure a silver medal at the British Team Championships, added:

“I decided it was the right time to change my club and compete for Loughborough now. A lot of the guys here I’ve been friends with since I was a little kid, so it’s great for me to feel part of a team.

“For the students here the English Champs is one of their qualification events for the World Student Games next summer which is a massive global event, so for them it’s really important.”

The Championships are the latest high profile sporting event to be held at the University.

Ben Aherne, Sport Business Development Manager at Loughborough University, said:

“We are delighted that we will be hosting the English Artistic Championships at Loughborough University next year. I very much hope that our students, staff and the local community will take this opportunity to see some of the country’s finest gymnasts in action.”

Kevin Flynn, Chairman of The English Gymnastics Association Ltd. added:

“I am delighted that we have come to an agreement with Loughborough University to stage the 2015 English Artistic Championships. This will be a great opportunity for East Midlands’ gymnastics enthusiasts to see the top men and women competing together in the region.

With the support of the University, and our sponsors Milano-Pro-Sport and Gymnova UK, I very much hope and envisage that Loughborough University will be the permanent venue for the Championships for many years to come”

Further information about the event including the purchase of tickets can be found on the English Gymnastics website.