A night of celebration and entertainment will be held on April 19 at the University of Bath Sports Training Village, where the girls have trained together since last summer with the goal of becoming the first British rhythmic gymnastics group to compete at an Olympic Games.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed it would take up the host nation place for the event after the group successfully won an appeal at an independent panel last month, which agreed that the girls did achieve the required Olympic qualification standard at the test event in London in January.

The group do not receive any National Lottery funding to support their preparations and the celebration event is part of their fundraising activities to help fund the travel required to compete at other competitions in the build-up to the Games and also to provide new equipment and kit.

The group will perform the two routines that they did at the test event at the celebration event, which gets underway at 6.45 pm on April 19.

Stephen Baddeley, director of sport at the University of Bath, said: "It's a real privilege for us to host the GB rhythmic gymnastics group's training at Team Bath.

The girls have showed great dedication and they're an inspiration to many other athletes who train at Bath.

"We wanted to host the April 19 event to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see them in action as well as to help them raise funds to support them over the coming months.


"I hope people turn out in force to show their support for the group and to enjoy what I'm sure will be an interesting and fun evening of entertainment."

Other entertainment on the evening will include displays by City of Bath Rhythmic Gymnastics, Team Bath Evolution trampoline group, Baskervilles Gymnastics and Weston Aerobics.

There will also be a performance by the City of Bath Bach Choir.

And there will also be an opportunity to win sporting memorabilia donated by Olympians and other world-class athletes at a fundraising auction.

Doors will open at 6 pm on the day, with the fun getting underway at 6.45 pm.

Entry is by way of a £5 (€6.07/$7.95)donation for adults and a £2 (€2.42/$3.18) donation for children, with donations payable at the event.

Find map details for the event here. 

The seven-strong GB rhythmic gymnastics group consists of Annie Bartlett, Frankie Fox, Georgina Cassar, Jade Faulkner, Louisa Pouli, Lynne Hutchison and Rachel Smith. 

The group are coached by Sarah Moon.

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