Michael BaileySprowston High School pupil and Norfolk Academy gymnast Emily Crowe scored the biggest victory of her career to date when she took all round gold at the Junior British Schools Gymnastics Championships, in Newcastle.Michael Bailey

Sprowston High School pupil and Norfolk Academy gymnast Emily Crowe scored the biggest victory of her career to date when she took all round gold at the Junior British Schools Gymnastics Championships, in Newcastle.

The 11-year-old, along with Besthorpe team-mates Polina Polyakova - also 11 - and nine-year-old Bethany Harmer, were part of the team representing the East in the competition and all three girls put in great individual performances.

Polina finished eighth and Bethany 14th individually, with the trio leading the team to silver in the group event.

However, it was Emily's blend of difficulty and consistency that stole the show and saw her post among the top scores on each of the four pieces of apparatus on her way to a total of 47.50 and the overall trophy.

The title has been won by gymnastic greats such as Olympian and current British champion Beckie Downie in the past, meaning Emily joins a select club.

The Norfolk Academy of Gymnastics coach Sara-Jane Inglis said: 'Emily has already made great strides forward in 2010 and we knew she had a shot at an individual medal.

'Tactically, we took out some of her riskier elements and played relatively safe, hoping that if she went clean it would be enough and thankfully this proved to be the case.

'This is Emily's first victory outside of Norfolk and is a well deserved reward for the hard work she puts in every day in the gym. We now look with eager anticipation towards the British Championships in June.

'Polina and Bethany also performed brilliantly and with great maturity beyond their years and I am very proud of all three girls.'

March had seen Emily and Polina perform at their first English Championships, in Leicester, in their first events as espoir (age 12-13) gymnasts. Polina finished 18th despite a foot injury, while Emily took 8th and was first amongst the gymnasts from her year group.

� The Academy has had plenty of success this year, including both days of the Norfolk Championships.

Lucy Jarvis took national seven gold and Grace Ashworth silver at national eight, with Sienna Sprong the bronze.

In the battle for places at the regional finals next month, grade 14 saw the academy score a one-two with Miriam Lowe and Abigail Gardiner.

Grade 13 saw Charlotte Donnelly, Laura Glover and Naomi Bash take gold, silver and bronze respectively, with the result mirrored at grade 12 in Poppy Brown, Tally Watt and Chloe Cooper.

Grade 11 earned a other one-two thanks to Melissa Brown and Shyla Norkett.

� Six academy girls are on their way to the national finals after success at the regional grades in Ipswich.

Sienna Sprong took bronze at national eight and will form part of the East team at the national event in Birmingham. Charlotte Taylor and Grace Ashworth also passed with ease.

At national seven, Lucy Jarvis performed very strongly to place fifth and will be reserve. In the elite grades, compulsory four saw Olivia Syder (seventh), Eleanor Parsons (eighth) and Caitlin Baker (12th) in close competition.

Bethany Harmer finished an excellent fourth in compulsory three to also qualify.