The Queensland State Championships are on next weekend, Sunday the 22nd April at 5:30pm. They are being held in the Arena at the Sleeman Sports Complex, Chandler, Brisbane. Come along and show some support for Olympic hopefuls Joshua Jefferis, Chloe Sims, Larissa Miller, Dasha Joura and myself in our last competition in Queensland ahead of next months Australian Championships and Olympic Trials.
- From the official Tom Pichler Facebook page.
Update Tues:
The whole town's a-buzzing!
Luke Wiwatowski has added some extra fuel to the fire...
I had a chat with Dasha some time ago and she has been training and was looking to compete a couple (Floor and Vault from my last correspondence) of apparatus during the Queensland State Championships. I look forward to seeing whether Dasha can make an impact and from what I saw her do she should have a mean vault.
This brings up another point altogether. My responsibilities during this time of Olympic selection prevent me from disclosing any information I know about selections. The Australian Olympic Committee has the monopoly on selection announcements so I walk a fine line sometimes with what I disclose in public. As such any speculations I make about selection publicly are just that, speculation.
And as to whether Dasha is fit enough for selection, well we will just have to wait and see.
This is all exciting and fun, but in the comments section can we please veer away from really personal remarks? Thanks.
I will be there the whole comp, saturday and sunday :)
ReplyDeleteNobody knows what happened to Wurth and N. Joura?
ReplyDeleteDid anoyone attend/get news from Trial 2?
ReplyDeleteNatalia had a portion of her meniscus removed 4 weeks ago. She is recovering well, but most likely will not be ready for Nationals. Katie attended the April camp, so have not heard how she did there yet.
ReplyDeleteWow - things just got REALLY interesting! Who likes a team of Mitchell, Little, Chung, Miller, Sims and Joura? Then maybe WA and Queensland could suceed and get on with supplying all the mining royalties and gymnastics talent!
ReplyDeleteBefore anyone lynches me, this comment is toungue in cheek ok? It would be quite a coup though for WA and ex WA coaches to supply the entire WG team.
Off topic but can anyone please share news from the Victorian state team trial 2?
ReplyDeleteWho made the state teams in elite and levels?
The QLD RG team for states was named yesterday
ReplyDeleteYes Anon 1.29, what a very " Unique" team. Also given the fact that we would have two gymnasts with short brightly colored hair and one covered in tattoos on our National team. Now that would get the gym world talking about Australian Gymnastics.
ReplyDeleteHey, they should ask Alana to trial as well!
What is the problem with all of you who are bagging the fact that these girls still love gymnastics, they tried something else, and still wanted to come back to try again. I think it is a tribute to the national team that it is a place they want to be and are welcomed. You just said before the you think Peggy has favourites. If this were true, she would not have invited all 20 seniors to the camp, only her "favourites". Anon 1:18 is right, things are just getting interesting. It is clear that nobody's place is secure just yet.
ReplyDeleteWell despite the fact that next to no-one got a qualifying score, a lot of girls are now representing Victoria at nationals. Both elite and national levels.
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear - the toungue in cheek comment was about sucession not about these girls being on the team and I see no problem with brightly coulorered hair or tattoos (although the rules say they have to be covered so whatever). I am delighted that Dasha is back in the gym and that Chloe will be competing this weekend. If Dasha is anywhere near her old form she would have to be a chance. Allana slater was the previous cycle and I find the comparison a little silly.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know what scores everyone got? The results aren't up yet are they?
ReplyDeleteThat happens in every state,you can tell from the scores, sometimes there is extra qualifing comps but this does cause agrevation about favourtism and really just lowers the standard at nationals. Otherwise especially in elite there would be no competitors!
ReplyDeleteOh shock horror. Was I right or was I right about Dasha making a come back. I could think of nothing better than having Dasha and Chloe in the Olympic team. Someone finally that knows how to show off and how to WIN. Come on girls you can do it.
ReplyDelete"Oh shock horror. Was I right or was I right..." Well, you might have been but the funny thing is SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER PEOPLE ALSO POST HERE ANONYMOUSLY SO IT'S VERY HARD TO GIVE YOU THE PAT ON THE BACK YOU SO EARNESTLY SEEK WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE ROOM.
ReplyDeleteI for one am very excited at the possibility of the likes of Chloe and Dasha on the Olympic team I think it might just be what Australia needs to put us on the gymnastic map so to speak !! I just hope Dasha can drop the snob act and be a nicer role model as it's hard for young gymnasts to support someone who doesn't even acknowledge them ! A simple smile or hello goes a long way !!
ReplyDeleteMez I wasn't trying to be smart about the 'shock horror' comment. It is just that when I suggested it in a previous post I was rudely told that it was rubbish. So that comment was directly aimed at that person who obviously know who he or she is.
ReplyDeleteknows sorry
ReplyDeleteAw poor Natalia! Getting minisci removed is risky, but it obviously had to be done, hoping she has better luck with injuries in the future
ReplyDeleteI know everyone loves Dasha, but her present drives me nuts, I think Lauren is a much better role model
Good luck to the Victorian girls!!
They are boh good role models!
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteGymnastically I agree both girls are amazing ! However Chloe is a much nicer person to other gymnasts both peers and younger gymnasts whereas Dasha wouldn't give anyone the time of day unless there was money involved and she was being paid for her time !! But that being said she is an amazing gymnast and this isn't a personality contest and both girls deserve the opportunity to challenge for a position on the Olympic team !!
ReplyDeleteYes I agree. Chloe is much friendlier and a better role model for the young gymnasts. Despite all of her tattoos she is a really nice person.
ReplyDeleteScores from Vic trial 2 are on the Jets scoring website if anyone is interested - www.gymdata.com.au. Even in the national levels there were only a couple girls in each level that passed the selection score of 48.00.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where 48 came from?
ReplyDeleteRecommended selection scores from GA tech regs
Level 7 - 42 - 20 gymnasts were above this
Level 8 - 42. 10 gymnasts were above this
Level 9 - 43. Only 2 above this but apparatus qualification. Allowed
Level 10 - 43 - 5 of the 6 AA gymnasts were above this. The 2 girls who did not do AA were 2nd on beam and 1st on bars so would probably be selected on the strength of that.
Some may have qualified at trial 1 also.
In IDP it is not unusual for girls to be selected to the state team subject to achieving a qualifying score by the cut off date (I don't know when that is). It is often done as a control test with the required number of judges. If it is possible to get the IDP's to nationals they will as it is an important part of their development.
Are the IDP results up as well as I couldnt find any results on the gymdata .com.au ??
ReplyDeleteDasha is a wonderful role model!!! She is always polite and kind to younger gymnasts! ALWAYS!
ReplyDeleteDasha rocks!
Enough with judging their personalities... I really don't care, I can't wait to see their gymnastics! If I wanted to watch somebody 'nice' do sport, I'd go to the local bowls club and watch my grandma ripping that shit up on seniors night. :)
ReplyDeleteLol! So true.
ReplyDeleteLooking at Vic Trial 2 results - did Aimee Warnock compete??
ReplyDeleteDidn't see her on the start list
ReplyDeleteAnon April 15, 2012 9:53 PM: The qualification score for all Victorian athletes is 48. It differs from GA's.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure it's 48? I can't find it on the website. Victoria only had 1 level 7 score over 48 on both days last year at nationals, 3 level 8's, , 4 level 9's and 1 level 10. And with that they won 3 silver and one bronze. The only way any state (except maybe queensland) is going to get everyone over 48 is to inflate the scores - why bother?
ReplyDelete9.16pm: Agree with your description of Dasha, but then again she is now a bit older, not the top gymnast anymore,so perhaps she may be a bit more humble.Not sure if everyone on the National squad would agree with your comments about Chloe getting on with her peers though.
ReplyDeleteBest comment on here:
ReplyDelete"Despite all of her tattoos she is a really nice person."
HAHAHAHAHA - what planet are you from!?
What has body art got to do with being a nice person?
Thanks for the laughs.
High level sports tends to draw in strong personalities/ they have the head space to survive the elite environment. Some of the best gymnasts have had 'attitude' problems at times, but they are generally head strong and it drives them to be the best.
ReplyDeleteI also think there are some people judging young ladies on their actions as teenager girls. Biologically they have not fully developed the ability to deal with emotion, while this is not a free pass I don't think we should be harshly judging their entire character on their teen years.
All the coaches need to work with these gymnasts, not cast them aside because it means more work on their part. Look at Mustafina, I don't think her coaches regret working with her.
well said!!
ReplyDeleteAny ideas of results from the first QLD trial/regionals. The QLD websites does not seem to update score. Or anyone have idea of who is competing.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what apparatuses Dasha will be competing on this weekend?
ReplyDeleteQLD GYM administration is the most poorly run out of all of the States. I was going to fly to Brisbane to watch the Seniors compete at States and there isn't even a draft schedule out. I then spoke to a friend from Qld and they said they have no idea what time their daughter is competing because no one from QAS has told them or sent an e-mail. How slack is that!
ReplyDeleteA beam specialist on a 5 member team? Not happening
ReplyDeleteDasha is working floor and vault as well.
ReplyDeleteWhy would dasha not work bars? We can take another athlete after lauren without bars! surely someone must know what kind of shape shes in? . How long has she been back training for?
ReplyDeleteSorry cant#
ReplyDeleteIt is weird. Wasn't beam her weakest event?
ReplyDeleteShe is working bars, floor and bault. It is actually beam that she hasn't been training so I am not sure where the beam specialist came from. I think someone is pulling your leg there.
ReplyDeleteMy dream team if dasha is healthy and fit-
ReplyDeleteLauren- V,BB,FX
Emily-AA
Dasha- V,UB,FX
Larissa- UB,BB
ASH B-AA
Unfortunetly we would need to use Larissa on Beam and Ash on bars but if every1 hit and considering only 3 scores count in prelims, I really think this team could make team finals and 5th or 6th!
I am not sure about Ash on bars or Larrissa on beam. I know beam was Dasha's weakest event but she does surprise me that she isn't training it. I really don't see Larrissa competing beam unless she has improved on it and given her bars and floor then she is a good shot for the team. This means Dasha will have to compete beam to be any chance to make the team.
ReplyDeleteI do still see some chance for Ash as long as her bars have improved and Australia has two good bars workers and a third reliable one in Emily then we may be able to get away with Ash's bars.
To the person complaining about no draft schedule for qld states, there is a draft schedule, ive had it downloaded on my phone for months.
ReplyDeleteWell it isn't there anymore or else I wouldn't be complaining. Have a look. I am happy to be wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhat session did you want to know?
ReplyDeleteSeniors please. I am coming to watch from Victoria and I have been checking the Qld site for the last three weeks and nothing is up in relation to sessions. I don't know how they are going to get spectators if they don't know what time to come and watch.
ReplyDeleteSunday from 5.30 -8.00 at Sleeman Sports complex IDP 6- seniors will be competing along side higher national levels. Warm up an hour or so earlier than that
ReplyDeleteHey Mez would you like the vid from Odyssey last night , it is up. Some of performers from their group will be competing this wknd at states
ReplyDeleteHow awesome would it be if Dasha could get vault and bars happening? Two areas in which we could really do with a boost!
ReplyDeleteShe's doing amazing piked yurchenkos so fingers crossed she rips out a layout this weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat are Luke wiwatowski's responsibilities? espeically in regards to olympic slection? bizarre?
ReplyDeleteAnon 3.16 - are you going to Syd for Nationals? Have you seen the spectator fee for premimum sessions!!!!!!!! Doesn't GA realize we could fill the stands if the fee was reasonable but at those prices only us die hard fans will attend!
ReplyDeletewhat about paying $25 to see the IDP 6 team finals - wtf!
ReplyDeleteOh no. I dread to know the prices. I have yet to look, but if I got the days off work I was going to fly over and attend the senior tf, aa and ef if I could.
ReplyDeleteLucky I'll be able to get a cheap flight!
I've heard GA is charging $55 a day for food and making all levels stay for the week at over $100 a night twin or triple share. $1000 without entry, uniforms or travel. What a joke GA should be held accountable, how could they not negotiate better prices?? It's not rocket science, we are booking your venue out - what's your best price. No deal? No sale, move to next hotel! Rinse and repeat.
ReplyDeleteWhere I am staying is $65 a night and is a 15 min train ride to the venue. I took a look at the prices for entry and cringed.
ReplyDeleteAlso GA are doing interviews for volunteer positions this yr
ReplyDeleteI am a parent of an elite gymnast from Brisbane. I have just been handed a bill for $2085 to send my daughter to the National Championships in Sydney. This amount seems absurd, as I travel quite often for business and know the cost of flights, hotels and meals. Who is making the money off of these gymnasts? Why can't she stay with her auntie who lives five minutes away and will feed her? I can get her a flight for $235. I don't mind paying the entry fee, I get that. I get the "team" thing, and wanting them all together, but soon they will have no team and GA will have no Nationals, if the gymnasts can't afford to go to Nationals.
ReplyDeleteA $ poor $ disgruntled parent
I'm also a parent of an elite stream gymnast. In Victoria I guess we're lucky in that the state govt offers elite travel grants to nationals each year. That aside with your fees you need to consider that they include coaching and coach and staff travel. It may also include physio fees as I don't think they charge for physio at nationals. Until our girls get to Junior level it's up to us to fund them.
ReplyDeleteApparently GA offered accommodation/food packages to states which were or were not taken up. The accommodation at Sydney Olympic Park has the one of the highest if not the highest occupancy rates of all Sydney hotel accommodation hence the high prices that are charged. I know of one state that chose not to pick up the package, there may be others. Remember if the option was picked up then those teams would have no ground transport costs during the competition time apart from the odd team excursion for which there is excellent public transport available. Also team personnel who might provide meals would not have to travel, be provided with accommpdation or be employed. There are costs whichever option that is chosen. The private organisation option is another matter altogether with many points for and against.
ReplyDeleteMy flights from where I am to Sydney were $235 return
ReplyDeleteUgh, expensive. Do you know if we are able to get tickets at the door? It doesn't appear to be reserved seating...? No reason to purchase in advance if it isn't reserve seating.
ReplyDeleteWho do you think is funding juniors and seniors - its the non funded Elite and our just as hard working National Levels - it does not cost $55 a day to feed these
ReplyDeletekids. It looks to me that GA has inflated prices to line their own pockets. SOP is expensive to stay at but GA could have negotiated better prices for such a large booking. I can get the same room off wot if for half the price. State ED's were pretty much told take GA's food & accommodation package or don't come.
The $25 is a day pass isn't it and the only time you have to pay extra is the premium sessions?
ReplyDeleteyeh but they don't give you the option of just one session. I don't know how many people who want go to WAG elite sessions want to be forced to pay for MAG levels too. I'm sure it's not many. They are essentially forcing people to fund the lower-attracting sessions even if they don't actually attend.
ReplyDeleteJuniors and seniors have to pay the same as everyone else.
ReplyDeleteThat is not the reason for the high cost. It is all the coaches and support staff that hikes up the cost.
I will supporting my state whether they are WAG, MAG, TRP, ACRO or RG. All of the gymnast deserve support.
ReplyDeleteThe coaches are not getting a free ride GA is charging coaches, support staff, chaperones and even judges $55 a day for food. Judges get a meal if they judge two sessions in a row but tell me how many judges are qualified to judge two different gymsports and no two sessions are the same gymsport one after the other. The States are paying for the coaches etc. This is the most expensive Nationals ever - now that's Amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteIn IDP, usually programs will pay for their coaches however programs may levy gymnasts to help defray these coaching costs. The judges food cost is optional and is $35 per day from what I understand. State SMC's may also contribute to the cost of coaches, physios etc. or in the case of judges, the state judging assembly. Programs may also their gymnasts through fundraising.
ReplyDeleteSo the bottom line is...
ReplyDeleteNationals are a *rip off* !!
Does anyone know if there is camp for IDP 10 - IDP6 in May or has it been cancelled due to Olympic selections etc...
ReplyDeleteI won't be going to half of the sessions I want to, because it will cost me well over $200. I can't believe it! How do we expect to ever grow our sport?
ReplyDeleteComparatively, what does it cost for US gymnasts to attend their nationals?
ReplyDeletePolly
Which States are NOT taking the package? I was told it was not optional.
ReplyDeleteYes 6:52 there is an IDP camp after Nationals. It's in Canberra from the 28-30 May.
ReplyDeleteyes costs are high ... but similar to lots of other sports.
ReplyDeleteI have friends laugh though when I tell them that i have to pay to be a chaperone!!!! they can't get over the fact I take annual leave to be on call for a week and that I pay to do so ... and as I write this I can't help but agree with them!!! LOL ... BUT this sport has got under my skin and I wouldn't have it any other way ... just fingers crossed that MY gymnast makes the team!!! or maybe I just go without out them
6:41 What state are you from???
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