SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club’s leading stars will be competing in the British Championships this weekend.

An impressive 14 gymnasts from the Basildon-based club will be involved in the major competition, which is being held at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

And South Essex coach Scott Hann is proud to have so many members competing in the British Championships.

Hann said: “It’s amazing for the club to have 14 gymnasts competing in the British Championships.

“It’s also good for us to have so many girls involved.

“It’s quite difficult to reach that level and get into the British Championships.

“I am very proud to have that amount of people in it and we’re looking forward to it.”

Double Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock is just one of the members who will be competing in Liverpool.

He will be joined by the likes of Reiss Beckford, Brinn Bevan, Gaius Thompson and Amy Tinkler as South Essex’s finest gymnasts look to return from Merseyside with medals to show for their efforts.

And while Hann admits that a number of the senior competitors will be looking to come out on top in their respective apparatuses, he maintains that he will be pleased to see the talented gymnasts giving their all and is not focusing solely on medals.

Hann added: “I try not to go into it with hopes.

“The main thing is that they do their best and if they do that then I am sure that we will come back with a few medals.

“The senior guys are pushing for medals and are hoping they win on their apparatus, but as long as all of the competitors try their best I will be happy.”

While Whitlock, Beckford and Tinkler will be fully focused on the British Championships, the trio also have the Commonwealth Games to look forward to.

Whitlock and Tinkler will represent England in Australia next month, while Beckford is set to compete in the competition for the first time since switching allegiance to Jamaica.

And Hann believes the British Championships represents a good opportunity for the South Essex members to perfect their routines before taking part in the internationally renowned contest.

Hann confirmed: “The British Championships will be a good competition for them to test themselves in before the Commonwealth Games.

“It will be a good run out for them and allow them to try their routines before flying out to Australia in a couple of weeks.”