Tuesday, April 26, 2011

State of the Union

2011 Artistic Gymnastics State Championship dates, as per state association/GA online calendars.

Queensland: June 24-28 (MG/WG)
Victoria: June 10-13 (MG/WG)
New South Wales: May 28-29 (MG/WG)
Western Australia: May 9-11 (MG/WG)
South Australia: June 3-4 (MG/WG)
Tasmania: June 22-26 (MG/WG)

Amendments can be made to incorrect information.

The Not-Too-Distant Future

A quick heads-up on some upcoming events as April winds down and May fires up.

For those of you morningly inclined, watch out for an appearance by Epping YMCA gym club on Saturday Disney this Saturday morning, from 9:00 on the 7 network. Remember James, Janine and Sophie? Remember Duck Tales? Those were the days...

If you're wanting to watch some live gymnastics action, the VWHPC is hosting more blue ribbon trial competitions in the lead-up to the 2011 national championships. The Victorian State Team trial dates are up at their site. I'll endeavour to bring you live coverage at Twitter.

If you have some news on upcoming events in your state that you would like promoted, know of a gymnast doing a media appearance or just want to drop me a line regarding media nuggets you have uncovered, feel free to do so at ozgymblog@gmail.com

All correspondence answered personally by me. Or my trained sloth Esteban.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Hie Thee to a Newsagency!

Our homegrown World Champion on floor, Lauren Mitchell, is featured in the latest edition of Inside Sport magazine. The piece, entitled "Top Floor", is penned by the gymblog world's own interviewer extraordinaire Brigid McCarthy!



Have a happy Easter, everybody. Keep safe and well.




"Now where's my grip bag...?"

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Mixed Bag

The Good News: It's not often an Aussie gymnast makes a real name for themselves in the public eye, but I simply can't let this weekend pass without mentioning two quite cool occurences.

Spotto! Olympians and VWHPC alums Karen Nguyen and Monette Russo feature in the back celebrity-spotting pages of the Herald Sun today, having made an appearance at the glittering VIC 21st anniversary celebration.

And in more happy news, Olivia Vivian of the Oregon State "Any Given Night" Beavers has become the first Australian gymnast to qualify for an NCAA national gymnastics championships apparatus final. Olivia will, by this time tomorrow, contest the uneven bars title alongside a couple of OSU teammates. Olivia spent much of this season at the #1 national ranking. This fantastic showing has come after two difficult years dealing with a number of injuries, not to mention a cross-continental transition to collegiate life. Carn Liv! We're cheering for you!

Canada's Edmonton Sun posted this nifty pic of Katie Wurth and coach Irina Joura warming up at the recent Wild Rose Invitational (click for larger... my stodgy re-sizing hasn't done it any justice):



Aaaaand the not so good news is that fellow Aussie at OSU, Melanie Jones, unfortunately strained a calf muscle before competition at the national championships commenced. Get well soon, Mel!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WAG News Round-Up

April? More like ace-pril!

1. A sweet article on Nationals-bound bars anchor for Oregon State, Olivia Vivian, that recently got forwarded to me.

2. QLD's Natalia Joura featured briefly on Channel Ten's "Totally Wild". Apologies if the link doesn't work.

3. Check previous post's comments for notes and observations from the VWHPC Invitational (which I unfortunately missed). The highlight? Zoe Lorenzin's Yurchenko double!

4. Pacific Rim alternate Emma Nedov featured in a North Shore Times article last week.

The Year 10 Brigidine College student impressed the judges after executing a difficult flip, flip, lay-out manoeuvre.


“That’s a very difficult skill and [Australian representative] Lauren Mitchell and I are the only two girls in Australia who are doing it,” she said. “It’s something I am proud of when I stick it and it makes my beam [routine] more interesting.”


Speaking of Lauren Mitchell, please be advised that she is reported to have withdrawn from the upcoming Glasgow World Cup.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me news and observations from the world of Aussie gymnastics. Keep 'em coming!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Snapped

Aussies in action in Doha, courtesy of sports.sohu.com