THIS summer Bermuda's Gymnasts have been hard at work studying the skills of Olympic athletes such as Britain's Beth Tweddle.

But in October they will be competing against her and then training alongside her during a trip to England.

Nine senior team members will travel to England to take part in the Rushmore Rosebowl event in Aldershot, southern England.

Bermuda Gymnastics Association spokeswoman Michelle Strenk said the girls are excited to compete against one of their heroines.

"Some of them have met her before at the Commonwealth Games," said Strenk.

It is the first time Bermuda has competed in the two-day Rushmore Rosebowl competition which will feature some of the best club teams from four or five different countries, including Tweddle's Liverpool, who won last year.

"I think the balance beam is our strongest event going into the competition," said Strenk, who expects the event to be tough.

The nine, who are aged between ten and 16, will then take in training in the Lilleshall National Sports Centre and also at the Liverpool club.

"They will get to meet Beth, see her train and also see up-and-coming athletes from the next generation who will emulate her," said Strenk.

"It will give them a chance to work alongside other gymnasts who have just represented Great Britain in the Olympics."

The Bermuda team will also get to size up some the competition it will soon be facing at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia in November.

The Bermuda Gymnastics Association coaches, led by new national coach Tina Billington are keen to prepare their athletes for other major international events such as the Small Island Games in summer of 2005 and the Commonwealth Games in February 2006.

The squad have been making the most of the summer training which is coming to an end with the new term looming next week.

Bermuda's gymnasts had been working harder than ever over the last ten weeks.

"We have been doing a lot more skills and using the time more wisely," said Strenk.

The girls have been attending the St. David's gym base from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 pm every day of the week.

Strenk added: "The past two weeks have been an amazing boost. Using the Olympic gymnastics footage as a coaching tool, one hour per morning was dedicated to analysing the world's top gymnasts.

"Inspired by these champions, the Bermuda girls now have the extra enthusiasm to take the sport to the next level.

"The new skills are ready and now are being joined together in full routines."

She said the girls admired the USA's Carly Patterson and the Romanian team and saw the variety of techniques on offer.

The girls have also been hard at work away from the gym, raising money for competition travel and tracksuits.

A few months ago the team did a walk-a-thon on their hands and raised nearly $3,000. The whole 25-member team got involved and Casey Lopes managed 217 steps on her hands in one attempt.