Best of luck to Lauren and Larrissa in the women's competition.
I just tuned in after the footy to see Larrissa in purple and black Tokyo prelims leo hit a great bars for 14.425!
... she's through to the bars final in 4th!
Update: Lauren is through to the beam final in 4th and is 1st through to floor final!
View view of Larrissa's bars (partial) here. Video of a screen showing Lauren's floor is here.
Update Sunday: What a happy easter for team Oz! Who likes medals? We do!
UB: Miller 6.2/14.6 for bronze
BB: Mitchell 14.6 for bronze
FX: Mitchell 14.4 for gold!
See Larrissa's finals routine in the video below.
Lauren's finals floor is here and her beam here.
104 comments:
well done Larrissa, hopefully that is enough to get her into the final
yay Larissa hit except probably didnt score as well as she would have hoped 14-2ish i think. Anyone know if she is competing floor? Her upgraded routine could become really competitive if she hits!
Def hoping Larissa ends up in London ;)
I think she is competing floor, she was registered to complete floor, I would be surprised if she competed her updated routine though.
Lauren had a fall on beam but still qualified to the final in fourth. Not sure about floor.
Lauren is not looking good, she should stay at home training and getting fit, not competing in these meaningless comps.
According to GGMB Lauren qualified firsr to the floor final with a 14.5?? score. best of luck ;)
Sorry qualified first*
Did she fall on opening tumble?
she hasn't really looked good this year, if you think about it. She's injured and racing against the clock, competing now really makes no sense. no need to overreact, she is a former world champion after all and has a level of performance to uphold to keep the momentum going.
Is this to assume Larrissa had a poor showing on floor?
I only got word of the top 4, sorry.
Larrissa did a normal routine, stepped out of bounds, finished 5th by only .025. So not a "poor showing", but not good enough for top 4.
To all of you critics who say Lauren is not looking good this year:
You have no F*#king idea how elite athletes train or peak. Just stick to what you are good at: eating your Easter eggs, Encourage these gymnasts or don't comment on things you don't know about. Does it make you feel better to cut these girls down? Hope you are happy.
What was Larissa's score for floor and did she do her new tumbles , she would need to be doing them now if she wants the exposure and experience.
Well said 10.23 - There will be no worries with Lauren or the team that is chosen :)
Well done to Lauren and Larissa. Great job girls!
With a bar routine like that,I can't see Larissa being left off the team for London, especially if she can get that cracking new floor routine up to speed. Good on her.
That is the best Bar routine I have seen Larissa do, apart from the small step on landing! Great job, keep it up and you will be on that Olympic Team. Lauren also looked very fit and well prepared!
My Prediction for the team will be:
Emily AA
Nikki AA
Lauren VT, BB, FX
Larissa UB, FX
Mary-Anne UB, BB, VT
I like this team but I would put MAM AA and Nikki VT, UB and BB. Unless Nikki has upgraded floor she has a 5.0 D score there. Who would you take as alternate? I think probably Ashleigh or Georgia RB.
Long way to June, in 10 weeks alot can happen. They are all at a camp this week, will be interesting to see what comes out of that.
Any news on georgia Bonora!? i hope she gets back to full fitness! if her ankles can hold up surely she has a massive chance?
A judge told me that the national squad will have a verification on saturday that will be important to who makes the team for Japan in May. I hope they post some results and videos. Do they let people watch at the ais?
Geez, AGB posters, how hard is it to learn the correct spelling of the Aussie girls' names? Larrissa Miller's first name is spelled with two Rs. Unusual spelling, I know, but it's what her parents came up with. Maybe you could show some respect and learn how to spell her name.
Anon 2.25pm, get a life! This is a casual blog, where people talk about their love for australian gymnastics. Who cares if an r is missing from a name! did you honestly not understand who they where refering too?
Well said anon 2:57!
Awesome results for Larrissa and Lauren! :-)
Well done girls. Medals in three of the event finals. Is it the Japan Cup in May? What is the format for that?
Lauren is looking good, but I'd really like to see her go after a beam routine. She has looked very caution on her leaps for quite awhile, not reaching full split. I'd like to see her go after those switch splits and the switch half in these competitions before the olympics. Although her routine is awesome, it won't be up there unless she really goes after it.
**cautious
Most importantly, Mez, who do you go for in the footy? Please tell me you are NOT a collingwood fan!!
... Will it get me killed?
;-)
Bombers all the way!
What is the news from training camp? I have heard that Dasha and Chloe are going. What is the news?
The Verification should be interesting with Dasha and Chloe at camp . Wonder how the selection committee works around that scenario . As in, not on the National squad, not competed in any International comps to gain consistency and then the fact that all the others have been working hard to gain their positions on the squad and to get exposure and experience Internationaly.
Well when it comes down to it, Peggy needs to pick the team with the greatest chance of success. If that includes either of those girls then so be it.
Well if Benora is ok to trial then she might as well go with same team as 2008! Dasha, Lauren, Georgia, Ash, Olivia and maybe Shona is the next surprise comeback! Feel sorry for the ones who have worked hard and have been mislead by a false selection criteria .
Dasha is aiming to compete level 8 not international. Shes only helping out at camp. Chloe is there to sing the national anthem.
Yes, we all believe that one!
I don't think the selection criteria is false. I thought Chloe was in the national squad or she was anyway before her injury. I am sure she would have competed internationally in the last 12 months if not for her injury she did do quite at nationals last year. I am not sure if Chloe is any chance for the team but she would be a chance on her best form and I am sure the other gymnasts know she was trying to make the team so I am not sure why people would be upset if Chloe were to make the team.
As for Dasha it seems as though she is only trying to compete levels not make a comeback to elite, but hypothetically speaking if she was trying to make a comeback to elite then what is wrong with that. Beijing did not go well and the injury proved career ending.
It would be disappointing for those who are competing internationally now not to make the team but Chloe and Dasha have also had there fair share if disappointments,
I don't think dasha is preparing her full floor & double yuchenko vault to compete for level 8 only- that doesn't make sense! I say good on dasha & chloe. Peggy will put up the team she thinks will b most consistent & smooth. Let her do the thinking & nationals will give us a better idea of whom that will be anyways. Go girls!! You are all inspiring.
I would love to see Dasha on the team. Chloe and Dasha on the team would be awesome. They have a huge amount of talent between the two of them. As for Chloe, she deserves it as much as anyone. Her funding has been completely cut since her operation and she is paying full gym fees by herself. She could be out working full time but instead she is working hard to make the team.
I have nothing against Chloe, Dasha and Olivia all trying to make a comeback, good for them. But I do hope that they are subject to the same selection procedures as all the other girls. I believe part of that is to have been able to prove themselves to be consistent on the International floor in the past six months at least, not 4 years go. Also I would question if they intend to continue after the Olympics at the same level and be part of the squad in the next cycle.We all no Chloe wants tick her bucket list and Olivia hopes to move into Cirque. It would be a shame for Peggy to over look girls who have shown their loyalty to the Australan Team for the past 4 years whilst these girls moved on. Is she that desperate for results ? I wonder what the real thoughts are of these girls who have given up so much over the past 4 years to perhaps be pushed aside. I wonder how MAM or GRB feel , they have moved states from their families to follow their dream, MAM has sustained and overcome injuries to get to where she is today as did GSimpson until her recent heartbreaking injury.I just feel these girls had amazing careers, they were all successful in their own ways, leave it to the girls who have given their all over the past 4 years to get to this point, it is their turn. It's tough enough .just one persons opinion.
Agree with some of that, but it's elite sport, not primary school. If you're good enough at the time of selections, you're in. If not, too bad, try again next time. That's gymnastics. It's always sad when you see athletes who had made the sacrifices and put in the effort year after year miss out. But that's the choice you make being a part of this sport at the highest level- there's no guarantee it pans out the way you want it, and there's no prizes handed out for the best effort, or a good try.
I don't doubt Dasha and Chloe will be getting their asses kicked at camp if they are indeed planning to be in contention- an Olympic year is not the time to be expecting favours or free passes. If they want it, they've gotta earn it.
Funny thing is, this exact same situation is playing out in the US at the moment. The comeback kids aren't coming back quite as strong as they thought they would, and the longtime stalwarts of the team are slowly but surely getting upstaged by the newbies. No free passes onto this team, thankyou very much.
Hopefully Peggy will put the best five gymnasts on the team. I don't care that someone took a couple of years off/had their chance/has plans for after/has no plans to continue. The Olympics is a major sporting competition, we need the best gymnasts on the team.
They all worked hard (at some point) to make it to elite, if someone has more talent and can get away with a little less work/time off, that is how it is. No amount of hard work can beat a kid who has great gene's and works, but if the talents fail to work, they will come up short. To suggest that someone might make the team without working hard suggests that they think this sport is easy.
I do really feel for all the girls who put their time, energy, heart and soul into the sport and will come up short.
We all know, realistically, Chloe and Dasha are not going to make the team. Dasha is doing a Nastia - except even later than Nastia did, and her getting to the olympics is even less likely than Nastia. Chloe has rubbed too many people the wrong way - they'll never pick her. Even if she was looking as good as she was in Perth in 2011 why take her over Miller, who has a more recent 'name' with international judges, or even Chung or Brown. Plus Chloe is only good for bars whereas we would use Miller on bars and floor and Chung on bars and vault.
I really reckon the team will be Mitchell, Little, Brennan, Miller and either Monckton or Chung.
This is the most likely team, really.
Ummm Chloe is good for bars vault and floor I'd say. Chloe's vault scores pretty well and they are looking for a bars and vault worker.
i really hope georgia simpson gets better :( id love it for her to make the team.
Can anyone confirm what Dasha is actually doing. Some say she is trying to make a comeback to elite others say level 8. Even she is making a comeback she is no chance of making with just vault and floor she needs bars too because Lauren can't compete bars. If she is actually trying to make the team I wish she had of done it earlier and given herself a chance.
I doubt Dash would be ready for Olympic selection and if she wanted to do national levels she would only be allowed to go into level 10.
Doubt Chloe is in contention, one competition is not going to prove to Peggy that she can be consistent in a competition environment . Training is totally different to being in a big competition like the Olympics. Even when she was competing 5-6 years ago, she was very inconsistent .So was Dasha, that was why she wasn't selected for CWG 2006. At least the American selection process seems to be a lot more transparent than the Australian selection process.I think the selection will be from the girls that have been given International assignments over the past few months. Don't think Peggy would risk an " unknown" at this stage. She seems to be a stickler for consistency and a lot if time,money and effort has been put into these girls. The only thing Dasha could add at this point is publicity for the sport. She seemed to love the limelight .
Precisely 9:36. Chloe has been off the radar for way too long and even when she was she was such a headcase (in the nicest possible way). The likes of Mitchell, Little, Brennan, Miller, Brown, Simpson, Chung, Monckton, even Wheeler have much more recent experience and Peggy has been able to see a lot more of them because of their constant showings at camps and competitions. She will therefore know how they handle big meets and will be more inclined to pick them for London.
yes but they don't have the x factor that makes a true champion. Of course they are all amazing, talented gymnasts but Chloe has attitude and can show off and impress the judges. No one does leaps like Chloe. They are breath taking to watch. Dasha is also all class and knows how to impress the judges. The team needs spark and Chloe and Dasha would bring that to the team. Take a chance and you might end up on the podium.. Play it safe and your looking at 4th if your lucky.
I do hope that Simpson has the heart and courage to continue after her nasty injury.She would be a very sad loss to the sport. The new code may work in her favour. Pretty gym and elegant lines. Even if she can't get back in time for the Olympics she still has so much to offer the Team in the future. Wonder how many of the 2012 cycle will continue after this cycle. Do we have many new Seniors next year? It will be interesting to see when Lauren and Ash decide to call it a day. I wish them all good luck over the next few months,stay healthy. I do agree with the opinions of some people with the regards to girls like Dasha,Olivia and Chloe, they had their moment.
Not sure if the " spark" Chloe has to offer is what the team really needs. Sorry but I don't see the x factor in her.Dasha maybe 4 years ago.
The new seniors next year will be 1997 girls - From the national squad Last year I think there is;
Emily Conran QLD
Grace Flood VIC
Georgia Godwin QLD
Nicole Grout SA
Maddy Leydin VIC
Celeste Loo
Kiara Munteneau VIC
There are probably others who haven't been competing and some of these girls may have finished but these are the 97 girls listed on the GA website.
Not many is it. Don't know some of those. Hope we don't lose to many after this cycle finishes.
Godwin and Leydin look good. Emma Nedov will be a senior too won't she?
I can see Ashleigh and Lauren retiring. Not sure about Emily - perhaps she will if she wants to go to uni.
2013 could be the time for Wheeler and GRB to really come into their own. Not to mention McGrath.
Agreed Chloe isn't as amazing as people make out. She won the CWG AA purely by luck.
lol no 1 wins the commonwealth games AA purely by luck! Most ignorant comment ever!
Don't think Dasha would make a come back to Elite until Lauren retires. She wouldn't like being second fiddle to Lauren. I think Lauren has been a far better ambassador on and of the floor. A true down to earth girl. Nothing false about Lauren.
Well I agree with anon 11:12. She was very lucky to have won in Melbourne.
I gather from reading the comments that Olivia is going to Trial? A bit if a slap in the face to the other Seniors at WAIS who have probably had to play by the rules for the past 4 years. But then there are no ethics in this sport.
Err... before Anons start jumping on their hysterical horses, isn't Olivia helping Oregon State prepare for NCAA Nationals?
I didn't believe she was coming back for anything locally (even Olympics). She expressed recently that she wants to try out for Cirque.
I believe that it was mentioned on the blog a little while ago that she would be here for Nationals.
I believe that Emma Nedov is a senior this year, not next.
Ummm okay - maybe I'm about to say something totally outrageous here - but aren't we all just hoping Peggy picks the BEST 5 girls for the Olympic team? That's just it really, isn't it?
As Anons on April 11 (8:09PM and 8:13PM) perfectly put it - this is elite sport. We want the best athletes.
Yes there are guidlines and criterias to be met, and I'm sure these will be considered. But personally, I would prefer our country be represented by a girl with a genuine medal chance (who may or may not have missed a few steps in the qualification circus) than a girl who has perfect paperwork but hasn't got a hope in hell of making a final!
I feel like I'm going crazy reading these comments about 'cheating' on the selection processes. They're there for a reason, for sure, but ultimately the ENTIRE POINT OF ELITE SPORT is for the best to compete against the best!
Arggghhhhh... Peggy knows what she's doing, and if that includes putting a kid who missed a camp, or has been training overseas, or has returned out of the blue onto our Olympic team - then so be it!
Let's win medals.
There are special consideration and additional athlete clauses in the selection policy for a reason people! To make sure we can put the best team forward! That said the specific event policy for the Olympics hasn't been put up so how anyone can say certain people aren't eligible is hard to understand. Most times the requirement is to attend the selection event - likely to be nationals so am I missing something here? If Chloe (or anyone else) turns up at nationals and is one of the best 5 for the team why would there be a problem with them being selected? And to the comment that the US system I transparent? Really? I thought it was well known that Marta has her favourites regardless of results. Not that there is anything wrong with that - favourites are usually favourites because they are awesome!
I actually really hope Peggy will surprise me and take a risk, rather than play the safe card when choosing the team. I love a bit of a wildcard! But I guess with all scores from all routines counting, this is unlikely. Harrummpphh.
Anon at 2:14
Olympic Qualifation round is the
5-4-3 format.
With the team finals: a 5-3-3 format, the 3-3 format has been this way for this comp for a while.
Let the best 5 prepared of the reported 20 gymnasts represent Australia!! There is no room in the selection process for individual sentimentality or misplaced program bias when good results are demanded.
From memory Peggy really stuffed up on team selection for the last Olympics.
Is there anythng to suggest that this time will be any different.
If a gymnast proves that she has the ability to be great on the Australian team Peggy's likes and dislikes should not really be considered.
It will be very interesting to see if she can put her feelings aside and do what id best for Australian chances of finishing on the Podium.
How did Peggy stuff up selection for the last Olympics? I thought the only controversy was that Olivia was put on the team instead of Emma D but considering bars was Australia's weakest apparatus that was not a bad decision. The unfortunate thing was that Olivia could only compete bars so when Dasha got injured she still had to compete AA but it seems as though she wanted to so even with Emma and not Olivia she may have still competed AA. I am not sure who else you would have had in the team. Emma got injured anyway and Mel Jones became the alternate so I am how you think the team could have been different.
Australia also finished their best ever sixth place in Bejing and realistically I don't think they could have placed better than fifth so it was a pretty good result really.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvt5jdpfBDk
Emma Dennis wound up injured, so it's a moot point. Aside from Dasha's fluke untimely injury, that was an extremely well-trained, well-prepared team. Peggy deserves some major respect for that.
Oh what could have been, though... imagine a 2008 Olympic team of Joura, Mitchell, Brennan, a happy and healthy Dykes, a happy and healthy Sims, and one of Bonora or Morgan (I think Bonora had the slight edge at the time). Beautiful!
Anon 7:23 - please don't bring up the name Dykes... It makes me TOO SAD to think of what could of been! Miss Simpson and GRB do a good job of emulating Hollie's style, but not even they come close - and they are beautiful gymnasts!
I know, Hollie Dykes was the biggest waste of talent and potential of all time. It seemed like she just didn't have the heart for it though.
Beautiful gymnast and person. I met Hollie when she was at nationals as a coach (for the AIS I think) She was delightful and so encouraging to her gymnasts. It seemed like she was still passionate about the sport. Does anyone know if she is still coaching?
I saw her coaching for the AIS at 2011 Nationals :)
Please you can't be serious about Dasha doing level 8 (which would have to be national level 10) at the least and what be training at a HPC with international coaching!! How unfair for the poor national stream girls who don't have anywhere near that opportunity. You've got to be kidding right!!
I don't care whether Dasha trains at an HPC or a dinky backwater gym.
I for one encourage all gymnasts to participate. We have multiple streams to keep girls in the sport and give them options.
Many national gymnasts have access to coaches from the elite stream just as some elite stream girls spend time training with national stream girls.
Likewise, not all HPCs or national programs have the same quality of coaches. Does this make it unfair for the girls too?
Who cares either way?
There is no advantage to the elite girls nor disadvantage to the national girls.
There is no training hours limit in either stream and I for one trust the coaches and the various SMCs to ensure that gymnasts compete in the level and stream which best suits their current skill level.
Let's encourage more girls to continue to compete rather than focussing on making everything 'fair'.
Life's not fair, deal with it.
Absolutely right. Otherwise the girl who has the talent for elite but chooses national stream - for a variety of reasons - has an "unfair" advantage? Personally I wish there was a more structured approach to moving girls into national stream from elite when they no longer wish that level of commitment or it becomes clear that their bodies aren't going to stand up to the demands of elite gymnastics. Most elite girls simply quit when they have had enough of elite or when elite programs no longer support them to continue. Such a waste. I wish there were more programs which did elite and national so that girls can stay in their gym and change stream if they want to.
From the chalk bucket... Gymnastics will never be equal or fair, but it should be fun and accessible to as many kids as possible.
Wouldn't it be great if we had a college gymnastics program like they do in the USA. Perfect solution for age-appropriate level 10s who are not aiming to compete at elite, and for elites no longer wishing/able to compete at elite level.
I think after the Olympics there needs to be a huge shake up of the whole program.... Yes it is an elite sport and it needs to be managed the same way. This is a sport of favouratism!! At the moment and it needs to change,
This country could never sustain a college athletics system like the US. The US can barely sustain it, with all their resources, money, and sports obsession. College gymnastics is very quietly going down the drain in the US anyway- they're losing programs to sports less expensive, with greater participation at grassroots level and easier to maintain. The big programs like UCLA, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, will never be in trouble, but the smaller schools are struggling to justify the expense of their sport versus the number of scholarships available and the results they are getting to their athletic directors. I think there have been about 4 or 5 schools in the last few years that have dropped gymnastics in favour of other sports, while only 2 have picked it up- Arkansas and Lindenwood. Also, College Men's gymnastics is in a truly sad state.
It does surprise me that more Aussie gymnasts don't take the NCAA route. It seems like a dream experience to me- you get to train with some of the best coaches and gymnasts in the world, with big crowds and incredible support, a free university education AND the opportunity to live and travel overseas. I know it's not a holiday, these girls have to work bloody hard, but... well, it's not like they're not used to working hard is it?! Might as well get something out of it. They're not getting much out of elite in Australia unless your name is Lauren Mitchell. :)
Any news out of camp yet?? Talk about being starved of info lol
Well said 11:33 am. Bit harsh on Lauren as she does work hard, but it is also true. ( not her fault) We just don't have the depth.Also agree with 10:27pm. Lots if favoritism at the top end. Lots!
Not that I don't believe you about favouritism because I have seen some fairly blatant bullying of judges at all levels, but it seems to me that at the top levels teams are picked on performance aren't they? I can't think of any senior gymnasts who "should" have received assignments recently and didn't. If by favouritism you mean more resources go to the gymnasts most likely to achieve international results then that probably happens. All the most successful programs do that, as they should.
I am being bullied Anon April 14, 2012 7:56 PM?
I wish someone had told me, I hadn't noticed!
Bullying was probably a bit strong. I take it back. Peggy seems to spend a fair bit of time at the judges tables - and then scores change. E scores that is. I don't know what that should be called but I agree that bullying might not be right. Persuading? Influencing? In any case my point was - this is the only "favouritism" I have observed - as Peggy doesn't approach the judges for every gymnast. Also, it wasn't personal - if you haven't been asked to change a score (not just Peggy does this by the way) or you have and it didn't bother you - then I wasn't referring to you and if you have never seen it happen to another judge you either don't get out much or you aren't very observant. This has definitely happened and there are some judges who don' t like it.
Mez - I'd be interested in your thoughts on the costs for attending Nationals this year as gymnasts and spectators
I would just like to say that Dasha Joura is one of the most amazingly talented gymnasts Australia has ever had. Not only is she a fantastic gymnast but she truely is a beautiful person as well. Whether she comes back to elite gymnastics or not, her career deserves the utmost respect. There is NOTHING fake about that girl and she shouldn't be compared to Lauren. She's been a great ambassador and she's my hero.
I'm not meaning to start a quarrel or anything, I just wanted to add my two cents :)
I'm glad you did. I also adore her as a gymnast, ambassador and person. She is a unique individual and was an inspiration to many when she was training. As far as comparing her to Lauren - she may not have got as far as she has without Dasha constantly there as an example of what is possible. I do not in any way mean to detract from lauren's achievements - she has worked hard to be where she is.
Guys, just a question if anyone knows - can you be sued for wearing the same style/material/patterned leo as gymnasts from another country?
Lauren is a far better Gymnast than Dasha could ever have been. Lauren is the most down to earth girl on and off the floor, Dasha was a Diva. Many girls have had huge disappointments in their careers but Dasha made it seem that she was the only one to ever have such a huge disappointment at the Olympics. Lauren would always have been successful , it had nothing to do with Dasha paving the way.Yes, she is a very talented gymnast but it is important , I feel, to be well rounded on and off the floor.
I disagree. Lauren herself has said in interviews that having Dasha in the gym, always a bit better than her pushed her to be better.
I don't remember Dasha ever "making it seem" like she was the only one to have a disappointing Olympics (how would that even be done?)
A little bit of Diva is understandable - she is Russian after all.
"Lauren is a better gymnast than Dasha ever could have been".
I don't know how you can say that. She is only marginally better (compared to current world class gymnasts) than Dasha was in 2008. Who knows what Dasha was capable of?
Yes Lauren is a lovely girl on and off the floor but so is Dasha - they aren't the same that's for sure. Dasha was raised in the gym - Lauren chose the gym. This is going to produce different gymnasts and different attitudes to gymnastics.
To anon 2:14 AM, I think you need to back off a bit. Such unnecessary harsh words. And I'm pretty sure you're dead wrong.
I agree with you anon 9.49.
Please remember, everyone's entitled to their opinion, and to express that opinion, whether or not you agree with it.
Would anyone care to elaborate on why Australian gymnastics just doesnt have the depth that gymnastics powerhouse countries such as the US have? What can we do to fix this? I would love nothing more than to see aussie gymnasts succeed further on the world stage
Population of Australia - 22,328,800
Population of USA - 311,591,917
Precisely. Not to mention a shitload more universities and a shitload more money to splash around on attracting students than Australian universities do.
Plus I think the culture is just not here. I dunno - it just seems like a lot of the Aussie girls, when they Di reach university age, just want to go to university like a regular person. It's when they're gymnastics career ends and their normal life begins. They don't want to keep dragging it out by studying AND competing. Sometimes these things cross over - Ash and Loz being examples of gymnasts whose careers are still going whilst they are at university too, but I think they are rare. I think many girls just see university age as the time when they can stop being elites. Or aroun about that time. I know for a fact people like Naomi Russell and Hollie Dykes just weren't interested in further education, let alone going overseas for it.
Plus the NCAA makes it so damn hard for Aussie gymnasts to get into their system. I'm not saying it cant be done cos I mean look at Lynn Denblydenn, Olivia, Melanie, Shona. But then there's also Chloe who couldn't get in, and Im sure a few others!
It's a shame cos I pretty much can't think of anything better than being able to complete your tertiary education at a top notch school overseas and having the opportunity to be a student athlete on top of that. What an awesome experience.
I'm a bit over the population and lack of money excuses. Romania's population (at 21.9ish million)is almost the same as Australia's, and I'm tipping they don't splash around a heap of money on sports either, and yet their gymnasts have a rich history of medalling at Olympic games, Worlds etc.
Actually Romania gives a huge chunk if money to gymnastics and sport education. You can thank Nadia for that.
And gymnastics is compulsory in schools in Romania.
And gymnastics has been in Romania for thousands more years
I know in other sports to go over to the USA to compete is very popular.They don't even have to be in div 1 to attend.
It isn't very hard to get in but you just have to be aware of the subjects that they need to do in high school, so you need to have an idea that is what you want to do before year 11. In saying that though they do have community college where you can attend and then move into college once you have the requirements and the community college do scholarships as well. I have found in the gymnastics corner that it isn't mentioned alot meaning never really heard coaches talking about as a direction a gymnast could take.
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