On Wednesday 10th July 2013 after many months of training & preparation Team UK came together in Barcelona, Spain  to compete in the ITF European Championships.
UK ITF had fielded a very strong team of 44 competitors ranging from age 12 through to the senior divisions. All had been competing at the sanctioned national competitions to earn their opportunity to compete for the country & represent their club, UK ITF  & Team UK.
Thursday 11th July was started early with some competitors opting for a brisk run before the obligatory weigh in. All of Team UK made their weight on the first attempt & were then able to relax for the rest of the day before a light evening training session with the Team UK coaches in preparation for the start of competition the next day.

Friday 12th July started with a bang as the newly appointed junior divisions got under way with Team UK picking up a great haul of medals, to include many competitors earning the crown of European Champion. The adult & senior patterns divisions were also completed with great success. The day finished on a supreme high leaving all competitors buzzing for the next day of competition.

Saturday 13th July started on a very intense note as the adult & senior divisions prepared mentally for their sparring matches. Once again Team UK did not disappoint, some truly amazing sparring action was displayed, which kept the medals & European Champions rolling in. After the team patterns & sparring the medal podium was set up on the raised centre ring for the champions to be crowned. It would not be a stretch of the truth to say that the UK national anthem has never been played so much! After some really great team photo''s the squad headed to re-fuel & rest in preparation for the final day of competition.

Sunday 14th July commenced with the individual & team, power & special technique. The spectators were treated to some really great displays of how the correct application can really be a force to be reckoned with, along with some really spectacular aerial techniques. Once again Team UK superseded their expectations & collected many medals. 

On completion of all events the podium was once again set up & remaining medals were awarded to some very proud competitors. Trophies were also awarded for best overall male/female in their divisions along with best overall teams & best overall county junior/adult. As a sign of how well the Team UK squad had done we picked up four trophies for best overall competitor, a best overall team trophy & best overall junior country!
As we left the venue for the final time it was an opportunity reflect on the commitment & achievements that had been made by everyone. Back at Team UK''s hotel the celebrations continued around the pool as competitors, umpires, coaches, administrators & spectators were able to take time to relax & reflect on the journey to these momentous championships.

A special mention goes to Team UK European Champions 2013
Ben Baker-Attwood - U16''s Male 1st Degree Patterns, Light weight Sparring. 
Matt Brunger - Adult Male 4th Degree Patterns
Ben Chapman - U14''s Male Micro Sparring
Adam Everett - U18''s Male 3rd Degree Patterns
Jay Gilbert - Adult Female Welter weight sparring
Ryan Hateley - U18''s Male Power
Beth Martin - U18''s Female Heavy weight Sparring
Jamie Martin - U16''s Male 2nd Degree Patterns
Aaron Mather - U16''s Male Micro weight Sparring
Jamie McAvoy - Adult Male 3rd Degree Patterns, Micro weight Sparring
Kieran McDermott - U14''s Male Light weight Sparring
Reece Nicholls - Adult Male Welter weight Sparring
Gemma O''Connor - Adult Female Heavy weight Sparring
Emily Oakes - U14''s Female 1st Degree Patterns, Welter weight Sparring
Ollie Robertshaw - U14''s Male 1st Degree Patterns
Gavin Robertson - Adult Male Middle weight Sparring
Jordan Rowland - U16''s Female 1st Degree Patterns, Welter weight Sparring, Power
Gurlaine Sidhu - Adult Female Light weight Sparring
Hayley Smyth - Senior Female Power
Jake Thomas - U18''s Male Welter weight Sparring
Reuben Sokhi - Senior Male 1st Degree Patterns

Overall Champions
Ben Chapman - Best Overall U14''s Male
Emily Oakes - Best Overall U14''s Female
Ben Baker-Attwood - Best Overall U16''s Male
Jordan Rowland - Best Overall U16''s Female

UK Junior Female Team - Best Overall Junior Female Team Trophy

Team UK - Best Overall Junior Country

A full list of results can be found by clicking the link below;

A massive thanks goes to everyone that has worked hard to support Team UK in the build up & attendance at this event.
A special mention goes to Master Nicholls for his consistent hard work, Ashley Nicholls for her administration both before & at the event. To all the coaches for their dedication & commitment and to the umpires for their endurance & diligence. 

We now look forward to seeing our European stars perform again along with the new up & coming talent at the UK ITF British Championships in October.