By Hugh Muir

December 18th, 2007

The Free-Lance Star

When Stafford's head gymnastics coach of eight years, Valerie Welch, resigned last May, the Parks and Recreation Department looked for a fresh start.

"We felt we had to regroup here," said Angela Regan, the gymnastics program director.

The result is Henry Nunez, from the Dominican Republic, new head coach for the Royals competition team, and Yan Wu, from China, whose goal is to develop, for the first time, a competitive rhythmic gymnastics group for the Royals.

Stafford's gymnastics program began on a limited basis in 1968. In 1980, a year-round gymnastics program was started at all levels. From that grew the Royals, a team eligible to perform in official USA Gymnastics competitions.

More than 900 youngsters come to the facility every week. Of these, 85 are on the Royals team, from ages 6 to 18.

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