³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Raise Your Game: How did you first get into rhythmic gymnastics?

Frankie Jones: I actually started in artistic gymnastics when I was about six-years-old, but when I was nine-years-old they closed the gym for a while. The only other local gym club was rhythmic so I went to that to see if it was good and I really enjoyed it. I found that I was better at rhythmic and when I got selected for the national squad I stopped artistic so that I could spend more hours doing rhythmic.

RYG: How difficult is it to prepare for a sport that requires so many different skills?

FJ: There are so many different aspects to it. You have to be flexible, strong and quite co-ordinated, which I'm not (laughs). It takes a lot of training and time to get everything working together.

RYG: How do you deal with weaknesses in an event?

FJ: I have always struggled with the expression and performance elements because I am quite introverted. This year we have focused on making my routines easier for me to perform and have found new moves which really suit me.

RYG: Can you apply any of the skills that you have learnt through gymnastics to other areas of your life?

FJ: Yes, definitely. The focus and determination that you use to train and compete, and you get used to being under pressure which is really helpful. If I ever find myself in a stressful situation, I can cope a lot easier now than before. Also the performance and expression elements of gymnastics have improved my confidence.

RYG: What's key to a successful team?

FJ: It's being able to support and encourage each other and knowing when somebody is tired. I am very lucky that we get on really well in our squad so we're quite good at supporting each other.

RYG: How much training goes into a routine?

FJ:Creating a rough routine doesn't take that long and you can do it in one training session. It takes at least three of four months of hard work before you would be able compete with that routine.

RYG: How do you keep motivated through training and competition?

FJ: It helps when you can see yourself improving and every time you master something new, it encourages you to carry on. I enjoy what I do and that obviously helps to motivate me.

RYG: How did you balance training with your education?

FJ: When I completed my A levels, I had to do them through long distance learning which meant that I studied on my own.

It can be quite difficult during the exam period because you have to train at the same time that you have exams.

RYG: Have you had to make many sacrifices?

FJ: Yes, quite a bit really. I moved away from home when I was sixteen-years-old which meant I had to leave all of my friends and family. I still see my friends occasionally but it's not quite the same.

RYG: With small mistakes being severely punished in rhythmic gymnastics, how do you keep your mind focused on performing a flawless routine?

FJ: For me it's quite important to practice my routines really hard before I go on so that I don't have too much time to be thinking about it and start worrying. This year I have started doing more visualisation work which has helped

RYG: How do you deal with setbacks and disappointment?

FJ: I always try and look at the bigger picture and concentrate on the next competition that is coming up and just work harder to stop it happening again really.

RYG: What are the wider opportunities that you have experienced through sport?

FJ: The travelling has been amazing because I have been to so many different countries and learned so much about different cultures. I have also made many friends from around the world which I keep in touch with.

RYG: What are your goals and ambitions for the future?

FJ: At the moment I am focusing on London 2012, but it's difficult to say because you have to qualify in our sport.

RYG: What advice would you give to young people looking to take up gymnastics?

FJ: It is hard work, but you get huge rewards from it. Set yourself small goals and realise when you have achieved them and be proud of yourself for it.