Richmond College student Heather Cowell reckoned the presence of coach Rob Small and other familiar faces was key to her becoming a world champion in eastern Europe last month.
 

The 17-year-old Richmond Gymnastics Association youngster finally got her hands on a tumbling gold medal at the 23rd World Age Group Trampoline  and Tumbling  Championships in Bulgaria last month.
 

But there was little time to celebrate as Great Britain international Cowell immediately returned to training and her A-level studies in west London following her triumph.
 

And the teenager admitted having her support team and other memebers of RGA around her in Sofia had made all the difference
 

“This was not my first world age group championships, as I have competed for GB before, but it was certainly the best,” said the 17-18 age group world beater.
 

“Having my training partner Hannah McKnight there and my personal coach Rob Small certainly made a huge difference.”
 

RGA coach Small reckoned it had only been a matter of time before Cowell would fulfil her dream after close to  a decade in the sport.
 

And he felt her success could prove inspirational to the club’s other athletes.
 

“Heather has been a specialist gymnastics tumbler since she was eight year old and has achieved  many successes in her career so far,” he added.
 

“This win is a reward for the years of hard work and commitment.
 

“The title is well deserved, and no one is more proud of her than her coaches.
 

“She’s an inspiration to all that talent and hard work can produce great results.”
 

It proved to be a successful championships for the RGA with two other athletes from the Townmead Road-based club impressing in GB colours.
 

Cowell’s training partner McKnight finished agonisinngly outside of the medals as she came fourth in the women’s 17-18 age group.
 

While Alice Kelly claimed a fifth place finish in the women’s 11-12 age group.