Great update, including some more photos, from the Victorian Women's High Performance Centre after their recent Team Pink fundraiser and open day.
I particularly liked this bit:
It was wonderful to see not only family and friends but also many of the fans who came last year who came along "just because we love gymnastics" as one group of lovely young ladies told me.
I can think of two special little spectator clusters to whom that quote is referring...!
Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the HPC's next event, a Senior Invitational. Prahran is where it's at, gymnistas!
Great fundraising for a great cause. Last year this Invitational included National levels. This year no. Any particular reason why?
ReplyDeleteThe judges invitational for National Levels is on the 18th which is also hosted at the HPC so i'm tipping that would have had something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lovely picture of Georgia Rose on bars in the 'Gymnast of the Month' section. Also Kiara Munteanu who used to be in the national stream is now training IDP8 there.
ReplyDeleteHow cute is Tsukiki?
ReplyDeleteShe caught my eye at the open day (more for extreme cuteness than talent) but eye catching never the less.
Anyone else for a fan club?
Does anyone know how easy (or difficult) it is to move from National levels to IDP. I would have thought the training would be quite different. Maybe less focus on physical training? What are the main differences? In WA it doesn't seem to ever happen that people go from National - Elite beyond the age of 9.
ReplyDeleteThe move, whilst not common, is not unheard of in Victoria at least.
ReplyDeleteWe have a small number of girls who make the move at a variety of times.
This has recently included Kiara and Rachel Figgis but prior to this also included Mel Jones.
The training is not that much different, more a change to the volume of hours with continued focus on shape and form.
It would be good to see more kids make the move.
How old is Rachel Figgis? could she legitimately contribute the the team internationally?
ReplyDeleteThe Collister Twins went from National level 4 over to IDP 6 but they would be an exception, particularly since they didn't move from their club to a HPC environment. From what I see, girls moving from National to IDP but who stay at their club do it tough - especially with being accepted by the IDP fraternity.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Rachel Figgis isnt doing international now.
ReplyDeleteOh the national levels one is on the 18th?
ReplyDeleteGood to know seeing as our club hasnt told us what day yet...:)
Congrats to the HPC girls and the organisers of the event! Such a great job they've done!
Lanna, the Judges Invite has always been advertised for the 18th. Perhaps you could self serve?
ReplyDeleteOnly a one off but Shona and Georgia didn't do it so tough, they competed National and only came to international at Junior nat or Int 10 in the new system.
ReplyDeleteKiara was pretty awesome at National 7 last year. Beautiful tight little gymnast.
ReplyDeleteI think if a national level gymnast wants to do international levels they should be allowed to no matter their age. If they have the dream and the drive to get their they should be given a chance. I think that we focus to much on the age of gymnasts rather than their potential.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem with a National level gymnast moving into international when they are too old is that they have a lot of catch up to do in terms that international gymnasts have been training longer hours and the older you are the harder it is to catch up and aquire the necessary skills. so the younger the better in terms of them moving across to international. what annoys me is where there is a very talented gymnast who's club does not do elite and their coach does not receommend they trial at a high performance centre because they want to keep the good gymnasts at their club, alot of parents don't know that you can call and go for a trial they think you have to be spotted at some competition.
ReplyDeleteIn WA the HPC won't screen a gymnast without communicating with the club. This has built relationships and produced a situation where clubs are less likely to prevent their athletes from trialing. Does anyone know how this works in other states?
ReplyDelete