Sunday, April 15, 2012

Well Then!

Let's all process this news calmly and rationally.

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.

84 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will be there the whole comp, saturday and sunday :)

Anonymous said...

Nobody knows what happened to Wurth and N. Joura?

Anonymous said...

Did anoyone attend/get news from Trial 2?

Anonymous said...

Natalia 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.

Anonymous said...

Wow - 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!
Before 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.

Anonymous said...

Off topic but can anyone please share news from the Victorian state team trial 2?
Who made the state teams in elite and levels?

Anonymous said...

The QLD RG team for states was named yesterday

Anonymous said...

Yes 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.
Hey, they should ask Alana to trial as well!

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Well 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.

Anonymous said...

Just 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.

Anonymous said...

How do you know what scores everyone got? The results aren't up yet are they?

Anonymous said...

That 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!

Anonymous said...

Oh 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.

Mez said...

"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.

Anonymous said...

I 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 !!

Anonymous said...

Mez 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.

Anonymous said...

knows sorry

Anonymous said...

Aw poor Natalia! Getting minisci removed is risky, but it obviously had to be done, hoping she has better luck with injuries in the future
I 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!!

Anonymous said...

They are boh good role models!

Anonymous said...

Yes!

Anonymous said...

Gymnastically 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 !!

Anonymous said...

Yes 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.

Anonymous said...

Scores 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.

Anonymous said...

Not sure where 48 came from?
Recommended 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.

Anonymous said...

Are the IDP results up as well as I couldnt find any results on the gymdata .com.au ??

Anonymous said...

Dasha is a wonderful role model!!! She is always polite and kind to younger gymnasts! ALWAYS!

Dasha rocks!

Anonymous said...

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. :)

Anonymous said...

Lol! So true.

Anonymous said...

Looking at Vic Trial 2 results - did Aimee Warnock compete??

Anonymous said...

Didn't see her on the start list

Anonymous said...

Anon April 15, 2012 9:53 PM: The qualification score for all Victorian athletes is 48. It differs from GA's.

Anonymous said...

Are 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?

Anonymous said...

9.16pm: 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.

Anonymous said...

Best comment on here:

"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.

Anonymous said...

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.

I 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.

Anonymous said...

well said!!

Anonymous said...

Any 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.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know what apparatuses Dasha will be competing on this weekend?

Anonymous said...

QLD 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!

Anonymous said...

A beam specialist on a 5 member team? Not happening

Anonymous said...

Dasha is working floor and vault as well.

Anonymous said...

Why 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?

Anonymous said...

Sorry cant#

Anonymous said...

It is weird. Wasn't beam her weakest event?

Anonymous said...

She 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.

Anonymous said...

My dream team if dasha is healthy and fit-

Lauren- 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!

Anonymous said...

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.
I 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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Well it isn't there anymore or else I wouldn't be complaining. Have a look. I am happy to be wrong.

Anonymous said...

What session did you want to know?

Anonymous said...

Seniors 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.

Anonymous said...

Sunday 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

Anonymous said...

Hey 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

Anonymous said...

How awesome would it be if Dasha could get vault and bars happening? Two areas in which we could really do with a boost!

Anonymous said...

She's doing amazing piked yurchenkos so fingers crossed she rips out a layout this weekend!

Anonymous said...

What are Luke wiwatowski's responsibilities? espeically in regards to olympic slection? bizarre?

Anonymous said...

Anon 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!

Anonymous said...

what about paying $25 to see the IDP 6 team finals - wtf!

Anonymous said...

Oh 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.

Lucky I'll be able to get a cheap flight!

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Where 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.

Anonymous said...

Also GA are doing interviews for volunteer positions this yr

Anonymous said...

I 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.
A $ poor $ disgruntled parent

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Apparently 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.

Anonymous said...

My flights from where I am to Sydney were $235 return

Anonymous said...

Ugh, 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.

Anonymous said...

Who 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
kids. 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.

Anonymous said...

The $25 is a day pass isn't it and the only time you have to pay extra is the premium sessions?

Anonymous said...

yeh 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.

Anonymous said...

Juniors and seniors have to pay the same as everyone else.

That is not the reason for the high cost. It is all the coaches and support staff that hikes up the cost.

Anonymous said...

I will supporting my state whether they are WAG, MAG, TRP, ACRO or RG. All of the gymnast deserve support.

Anonymous said...

The 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!!!

Anonymous said...

In 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.

Anonymous said...

So the bottom line is...
Nationals are a *rip off* !!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if there is camp for IDP 10 - IDP6 in May or has it been cancelled due to Olympic selections etc...

Anonymous said...

I 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?

Anonymous said...

Comparatively, what does it cost for US gymnasts to attend their nationals?

Polly

Anonymous said...

Which States are NOT taking the package? I was told it was not optional.

Anonymous said...

Yes 6:52 there is an IDP camp after Nationals. It's in Canberra from the 28-30 May.

Anonymous said...

yes costs are high ... but similar to lots of other sports.
I 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

Anonymous said...

6:41 What state are you from???

Kate Witz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.