Team Gym will be showcasing the developing talents of members aged five to 16 alongside British gymnasts such as Rebecca Downie and Hannah Whelan on Saturday at 2.45pm.

Over the weekend, some of the world's greatest women's Artistic Gymnasts will compete. The Great British Teams will line up against highly regarded Swiss opposition in a key event in the run up to the 2010 Rotterdam World Gymnastics Championships (18-24 October) and the Delhi Commonwealth Games (8-14 October).

Cabinet member for culture at Gateshead Council, Councillor Linda Green, said, 'This calibre of event is inspirational for our young people and I am delighted that there has been the opportunity for our gymnastic clubs like Team Gym to take part. Gateshead Council has invested many millions of pounds in ensuring that the borough’s leisure and sporting facilities offer both facilities that will encourage people to be active and healthy, as well as venues for world class events.'

Team Gym has been running since 2004 and is managed by coach Marian Bailey with the dedicated support of a number of parents and volunteers who give up their time to set up equipment and support the 50 youngsters who train every week at the Elgin Centre. Members of the team have qualified for British Championships in the past.

Marian said: 'Everyone is looking forward to taking part alongside the world’s finest gymnastics this weekend. We don’t always have all the equipment we would like at our disposal but the enthusiasm of both our members and volunteers keeps the club going and events like this on our doorstep give us all inspiration.'

Sixteen year old GCSE student Amy Bolam began training in gymnastics when she was seven and will also be medal bearing at the event.

She said, 'It’s like a family here – there’s loads of team spirit and we all like the same things and it’s really good for keeping fit. I did have to stop for a while when I had a lot on a school but I am really pleased to be back. Performing in front of international gymnasts is nerve racking but I’m making the most of it and I’ve got tickets to watch the whole event at the weekend.'

British Gymnastics women’s technical director Adrian Stan said: 'In combination with other competitions the event being held at Gateshead Leisure Centre over the weekend will give us a clear indication where the British team stands in our preparation for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Rotterdam. It is therefore very important to us and we are delighted that local gymnasts will be involved by putting on a display alongside our their sporting heroes.'