Gemini was established in November 1990, by the Bushaway family (Angie, Mick, Sharon and Mel)...who retired from the management and training of Gemini at the end of 2000.In 1992 we started our first year of competition within the BBTSA (British Baton Twirling Sports Association), and the following year we joined the NBTA, with which we have been with ever since. Also in 1992 Debbie Rafferty joined us as our main coach and choreographer. We started as a very beginner team with just a few members but went from a beginner level to being one of the best teams in the country in the late nineties, competing at an Advanced level.
In January 2001 Catherine Mack and Keren Bale took over as Corps Directors and the management of Gemini, following the decision taken by the Bushaway family to step down as Corps Directors of Gemini. Debbie chose this time as well to finish her highly successful run as our main trainer and choreographer. In the years Keren and Catherine ran Gemini, many of the girls advanced status levelsand did well in the years that Keren and Catherine ran the team.
In September 2003 however, Catherine and Keren made the decision to retire from their roles as Corps directors and from the beginning of 2004, the new Corps Director and trainer role was handed over to Gemma Steele. During 2004 also Gemma qualified as an NBTA Teacher/Judge.
Since Gemma took over the running of the team in 2004, Gemini has continued to go from strength to strength. Both our younger and older members alike continue to improve which is reflected in their many awards won at NBTA competitions! Every year since 2005 we have had girls in the England team also competing at European and World Championships in individual and team events. It is hoped that Gemini can continue long into the future to continue our long run of success!!
Classes are held twice a week as a team and then individually private lessons are offered at other various times. Training is:
Tuesday 6.00pm to 9.00pm -
(6.00pm to 7.30pm for Beginners)
(6.00 to 9.00pm for all competition members)
and
Saturday All competition members - 11.00am - 3.00pmEach training session focuses on several different parts. We work on team routines (Twirl Team, Dance Team and Pom Pom Dance Team) and individual routines. On a Saturday we work for the 1st hour on tricks and spins and rolls and when teaching specific twirls and aerials the girls are split into different teaching groups. They start with Pearls, then Ruby's, then Emeralds, then Sapphires and finally Diamonds which is the top level.
We train at two separate venues in Canford Heath, Poole, Dorset. Tuesday classes are held at the Beacon Centre and Saturday classes are held at the Ashdown Leisure Centre.
Additional private lessons are arranged with Gemma as and when requested.
Girls and boys from ages 4 upwards are very welcome. There is no upper age limit...within reason!
When we first started competing way back in 1992, we won a few medals at Regional level and since then we have had many Regional and National champions individually and many of our team events have won at National level. Every year we travel down to Devon in the south of England and compete at the National Championships, with mnay of our girls achieving Nationals titles and top 6 places.
Some of us have also competed internationally also. In 1999 several of the then Senior members attended AYOP in Indiana, USA. There we received over 30 medals for individual achievements, and the title of World Open Corps Champions which was amazing!
We have also competed at the NBTA European Championships in 1997, 2002 and 2005, 2007 and 2008, the BBTSA World Championships in 2000 and the NBTA World Championships in 2003 and 2006, where several of the girls have competed in individual and team/corps routines.
Read about the girls in our team by visiting the links below...
