SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club coach Anthony Wise has spoken of his pride at a national call-up for his young gymnast Danny Crouch.

Danny, 11, was selected for the national team squad after he came second – only missing out on first by 0.1 of a mark – at the national finals at GMAC, Birmingham.

It means Danny - who attends the FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh - and Anthony will join up with squad for eight training camps at the Lilleshall Sports Centre in 2017 and will work alongside top coaches and peers aged nine to 14. S

EGC’s Sean Dalton, nine, who is coached by Andrew Tucker, also caught the eye of selectors at the national finals and will also be joining the British Elite Performance squad next year.

Wise said: “This was a break through year for Danny as his highest placing prior to this year at national finals was about 15th.

“I’m very proud of what he has done and now we’re both looking forward to the camps next year.”