BERKELEY, Calif. – Cal women's gymnastics and Jamaican national team coach Justin Howell put together quite the international camp for members of the Jamaican national team, as well as Cal gymnasts representing several nations ranging from Bulgaria, South Africa and the United States. Two weeks ago, those gymnasts descended on Berkeley and the Golden Bear facility in advance preparation for October's World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

“This camp was put together by Justin and Liz, the coaching staff here at Cal,” men's head coach Brett McClure said of the event. ”They wanted to do something special for the Jamaican team and also some of the guys representing Bulgaria, South Africa and the United States to come together and plan for the upcoming World Championships and the upcoming Olympic year.” 

Sophomore Toni-Ann Williams enjoyed a spectacular freshman season a year ago as a National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women first team All-American on vault, floor exercise and was a second team selection in the all-around. The first team All-Pac-12 selection is humbled by the opportunity to represent Jamaica, and to share that experience with her collegiate coach makes things that much more special.

“This camp is the first camp that Jamaica has done; especially with having a lot of members,” Williams said from the camp. “I think that this training camp means that Jamaica is going somewhere with gymnastics and that there is progress being made. It means a lot to my family and myself to be able to be close to my heritage and my culture and family history. It's a huge honor to be able to represent Jamaica on the world's stage and I am super proud and super excited.”

In addition to the Jamaican national team, gymnasts on the men's side that are preparing for the Worlds for their respective countries also had a chance to participate. One in particular, sophomore Yordan Aleksandrov, who represents Bulgaria, was very excited about this high-level camp on campus.

“(Representing your country) is the greatest feeling ever,” Aleksandrov said prior to the start of the camp. “Stepping out on the floor and knowing that you're competing for your country and representing your nation is an indescribable feeling.”

Howell was named the head coach of the Jamaican team earlier this summer, and  is embracing the challenge of building the national program. Much like Williams' feelings on having her collegiate coach on board, Howell is very appreciative of the opportunity to have Williams on his international team as well.

“It's such a unique and exciting opportunity,” Howell said. “I am very thankful that Toni-Ann is here competing for Cal, but also bringing a level of international gymnastics into this program. It's something that we haven't had in quite some time. It's going to be a very exciting opportunity, not only to help Jamaica grow as a sport and federation and have some fantastic representation at the World Championships, but also what a fantastic opportunity for Cal. We can go out to continue to promote our international brand and the wonderful university that we have here.”

The World Championships are slated to run from Oct. 23 through Nov. 1 in Glasgow, and the Bears figure to be represented by Williams, Aleksandrov, Patterson, as well as Howell and men's assistant JT Okada, who was named South African head coach last week. Fans are encouraged to follow @CalWgym and @CalMensGym on Twitter for the most up to date news and information ahead of, and during the World Championships.