Darren does his gymnastics in real style
The delight shown on the face of Darren Briggs when he received the ‘Male Disability Achievement’ award at the recent Sport Pembrokeshire Awards evening at Folly Farm showed how much it meant to the 23 year old gymnast from Milford Haven.
There was a huge cheer from the large crowd in attendance which grew in intensity as he received the beautifully-engraved glass trophy from Ed Tomp of sponsors Chevron, held it aloft with a delighted grin and almost danced across the stage en route to having his photograph taken. Such joy is always a pleasure to see and the 650-plus in attendance certainly took Darren to their hearts.
Fitting reward
It was fitting reward for his involvement in, and commitment to, the Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gymnastic Club since its inception in 2000, making the short trip to the club’s excellent headquarters at the Thornton Industrial Estate. He is extremely popular with fellow gymnasts and coaches for his sunny disposition, and willingness to work very hard.
Avid Reds supporter and an actor too!
He had previously enjoyed playing football with the local disability group and is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC and everything to do with Steve Gerrard and the rest of The Reds – and has also been involved in playing boccia, the relatively new sport that is something of a cross between indoor bowls and the French game of Boules, and nicely developing his technique as well as learning the tactics.
Outside of his sporting interests, Darren is currently undertaking a computer course with the PTP training group – and thoroughly enjoys his regular Monday evening drama classes at the college in Haverfordwest where he is also a bit of a star.
Successful start and Welsh recognition
But it is gymnastics which continues to capture his interest in the main, having started out initially when he took part in the Tenby Rotary Club Championships and achieved very creditable first and third places to take his first small steps in the sport.
Darren continued to make progress through a great deal of effort and in 2005 his development was significantly marked when he was selected for the Welsh team, along with several of his team mates, for the Special Olympics which were held in Glasgow. It was a wonderful experience as the team looked resplendent in their red tracksuits with the Welsh emblem emblazoned on them, thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful opening and closing ceremonies, plus the competitions played out in front of large and highly enthusiastic supporters. He took part in the vault, parallel bars, pommel horse, high bar, rings and floor exercises, showing tremendous performing skills as he won four gold and three silver medals.
Progress to level two – and a shining example
Since then he has progressed from level one to level two and so competes against far more experienced gymnasts but he is showing the same kind of commitment and beginning to make real headway. He attends monthly training sessions with the Welsh squad in Cardiff, having already secured a place in the squad for the next Special Olympics at Leicester in 2009. Darren’s coach, Jean Jones, would say that Darren is a pleasure to work with and is a great example to the younger gymnasts at the club. He clearly still enjoys competing and one only has to pay a short visit to the Pembrokeshire Special Needs Gymnastic Club to see what a shining example he is – and just why Darren Briggs was nominated as, and won, the ‘Male Disability Achievement’ award for 2008!
