Gymnasts at Archbishop Holgate's School have put York on the map after finishing eighth at the national finals.

The all-boy team travelled to the National Schools Gymnastics Competition in Stoke on Trent after becoming the first York team ever to qualify - and beat teams from across Great Britain in the floor and vault to finish in the top eight from 14.

All students get a taste of gymnastics in a six-week PE block but it was a launch of weekly after-school sessions - with some also training at Heworth gymnastics club - that got the ball rolling.

PE teacher Ruth Walker - a competitive gymnast herself from the age of six - said getting the boys interested wasn't as hard as it may seem.

She said: "It's a very 'strong' sport and that's how they approached it - especially after seeing the Commonwealth Games and the like on television. That's also the way we deliver it in lessons as very much a strength sport.

"They've been brilliant and worked so hard and were so motivated to succeed.

"I'm not aware of any other York schools that compete - and certainly not boys."

Role model Year 10 student Tom Gibbons volunteered to help coach the fledgling squad with teacher Emily McGrath, and parent Nigel Teasdale also lent a hand.

Qualifying for the nationals was only half the story with getting to the Stoke on Trent finals needing much-appreciated sponsorship through the Parent Teacher Association and local solicitors Ware and Kay.

The school are now hoping that the success of the team will spur others on.

Said Walker: "I'm hoping they will have seen what it's about and we're hoping to get the girls qualifying next year too."

Updated: 10:05 Wednesday, May 10, 2006