Lauren Mitchell has a Q&A up courtesy of Qantas.
Check out the cool new "Leaping To London" t-shirt the Victorian High Performance Centre is sporting, to support its gymnasts in their Olympic campaign. Fun fact - they were designed by choreographer Lisa Bradley!
104 comments:
anyone have any updates on the GSim? She is listed for nationals...
also note that Leydin and Eade are not listed..too bad, the juniors will be empty without them...
Beautiful photo of Lauren
Because of work, I can only fly to sydney on the Saturday... Do people think it will be worth going down just for apparatus finals. In previous year a few of the top girls wont compete to save themselves from injuries.... thoughts?
Don't really think Leydin or Eade would have threatened for the overall anyway!!!
Interesting photo of Lauren, think she looks stunning!,
But why is she photographed wearing grips when she no longer does bars?
Thank you for asking about Georgia S. She will be traveling with WAIS to Nationals but not competing. She will be there to support her Australian Team and WAIS team mates for National Championships and Olympic trial 1.
Georgia continues to improve and is back in the gym training and working steadily on her rehab and fitness,her program increases as her foot improves. She now has regained full movement of her foot.
We wish all the girls on the National Squad all the very best for Nationals and Trials, they ALL work very hard and ALL deserve recognition for their dedication and commitment to gymnastics for Australia. Its just a shame that only 5 get selected. Good luck to all for a successful and safe competition.
thanks for the update on Georgia! great to hear she is doing well!
Does this mean she won't be trialling for the olympics? io hope not, i think she has a great chance!
Thank you anon for your Georgia S update. I was just thinking about her the other day! So glad to hear she has regained full movement, and making progress in her recovery. Can't wait to see her back competing - her gymnastics is soooo lovely.
Nice article on Lauren too!
Love the attention for Lozza & gymnastics in the general media but do people not fact check at all? Lauren won Worlds in 2010, not 2011 as the poster declares.
Becka
Yes, and advertising her as still the world Champion is also incorrect and misleading. She WAS the World Champion on FLOOR ONLY. In 2010 she lost that title in 2011. They should advertise it as FORMER World Champion on FLOOR. If I was the current Floor World Campion I would be a bit peeved that they are stating that Lauren is. I agree why don't people do their job, get it correct! It makes Lauren look bad.
Georgia Simpson Yeh! Glad to hear she is back in the gym. It sounded like such a horrific injury, sounds like she has recovered well. That shows determination and commitment to the sport. Good for her! Hope she is back competing soon. She deserves another go!
could anyone possibly paste the list of athletes from the back of the workplan? Thanks
#1 – I didn’t even recognise her!
#2 – I bet she doesn’t know she’s a 2011 World Champion! It’s amazing how people always manage to get EVERYTHING wrong!
Anon 5.12pm Really? Do you have to be so nasty or are you just some jealous kid??
Maddie and Alex will be missed! They have a lot of talent as do Jazmin, Tamika and Georgia G - Anyone of them on their day could be the overall champion.
Good luck girls, get healthy soon so we can enjoy watching you all compete, now and in the future.
Peggy is currently @ euros! Research or?
shes been appointed head coach of Northern ireland. she hopes to find the next holly murdock!
wtf?
If she does leave Australia I kind of hope she gets Jay Clark's ok position and coaches Georgia. How delicious would that mess be! :D
But no, when she just became an Australian citizen five minutes ago I don't think she's going anywhere.
i heard she was job hunting in the US a while back too though...to be head of a college program...
To be honest I actually think she's the type of person who could bring the GymDogs back up to the top. But of course it's almost the end of the quad - this would be the time to go after a new job if she so wanted one
TO: May 13, 2012 10:33PM
Are you on crack? Who ever you heard that from is definitely on crack, the bad kind! No way would she coach college gymnastics.
She has actually expressed interest in coaching college gymnastics in recent years. I don't think it's that farfetched. She's achieved about as much as a head coach realistically can for the Australian national program- an AA World medallist, an EF World Champion, appearances in Olympic finals. Maybe it's a good time for somebody else (maybe a Western Australian?!) to try a new approach in the position.
One interesting prospect is that one of main contenders for the Georgia coaching job seems to be KJ Kindler- the head coach of Oklahoma. If she takes the job, OU will need a new head coach. And guess who used to live and coach in Oklahoma?? Another coach linked to Georgia has been Dan Kendig- coach of Nebraska. Guess who attended university herself in Nebraska??
Also the citizenship thing doesn't mean much, I think. Peggy didn't actually take the step to getting Australian citizenship until the rule about American dual citizenship was changed. All the Australian citizenship means is that travelling arrangements are easier with both Aussie and American passports. It's not like she reneged on her American citizenship.
Does anyone know where the QLD team is staying for Nationals in Sydney next week?
Yes and Peggy has always really encouraged the retiring Australian girls to consider college gymnastics. She is quite the advocate for it.
I reckon she was probably just at euros checking out Russia and Romania and Great Britain and seeing what they're doing. She's got her finger on the pulse that woman.
Do you all think that Peggy has done her job here ?
I think she is the best head coach in Australia so far ( according to results).
Can you give me the names of the candidates, who will take this position and do this job better?
I don't think so. Because they are not exist.
Liz Chetkovich
there could very well be a sign in Liz's retirement from WAIS. New NTC, Peggy moving? It's possible.
Add to that will Lauren compete her DTY which we haven't seen for a while? If not it strengthens the chances for all the girls who do.
The fact that Suzanne Yoculan was making well over $200,000 a year (plus bonuses) suggests that their is a lot of money to be make in coaching NCAA, and why Peggy might be attracted back to the states.
Liz Chetkovich is not a coach. She is a good manager.
Don't forget, that Peggy has an Olympic champion behind her back (Shannon Miller).
In regards to anons no. 8 question the senior team for qld is Amaya, Katie, Chloe, Dasha and Larrissa. Eden wasn't a 'no show' at states as you put it, she was down to compete and after medical advice was scratched, im pretty sure she is in the QLD team.
You forgot about Shar-lee Clark.
Liz actually makes more sense than anyone to take over Peggy's position. She is a coach who started what is now the top program in Australia. Now would be the perfect time for her to take over after this cycle and implement changes to the National program modeled on her very successful WAIS program. Her timely exit from WAIS in June would fit in with this. A change is not alway a bad thing. Maybe it is time for Peggy to move on she has been a great Head Coach and has achieved a lot for Australia. She would leave on a high after these Olympics with Lauren being her most successful gymnast. Makes a lot of sense!
What about Jo Richards moving up and taking the National Coach Role?
Is this talk of changing coaches actually helpful? I know you all like to throw ideas around, but perhaps take a second to think about whether you're destabilising something that needs to remain strong, particularly at this point in the quadrenium. Let them do their jobs in peace!
Jo Richards can't even manage to keep the team future site up to date. The team future draft has said, "dates coming soon" for four months now. It is half way through May and still nothing about National Clubs 2011, dates for visiting clubs as well as who is in the current team future for 2012. If she can't keep the team future girls up to date, I would hate to see what she does with the seniors. Not saying she isn't a good coach but you need both good coaching skills and organisational skills to maintain an Australian team. Just my opinion.
Re Anon at 11:20 PM
Emily is so damn close to that full in lay that I think it will be there for Olympics if not Nationals.
And Anon 12.11AM
Lauren doesn't need to do the DTY, she is a lock for olympics and not trying for a national AA title. Why risk it?
The cull from nationals to camp will definitely be an interesting one. I can see who the probable certainties are LM, EL, NC, LM, MM, GRB, AB, but there are possibly some surprises in store with the surge of DJ and CS... should be interesting!!
I didn't mean Lauren wasn't a lock for the team, just that if she isn't doing her DTY she might not compete vault in team finals - making gymnasts who can bring a DTY even more attractive than they were before. For example - Nikki would then be Lauren's opposite with 2 apparatus each. Dasha would have a better chance than she would otherwise also. It is just another element which would change the requirements of an already complicated selection. If we could take 7 that would be easy - but 5 is tough.
How is idle gossip about coaches being destabilising? I doubt any of these coaches are taking notice of the discussion. Let's not take ourselves too seriously here.
Agree with anon May 15 12:42. And btw anon May 15 10:01, are you forgetting that the comments section of this site is especially for that - people's comments??
Anon May 14, 11:20pm - I think you raised some very interesting points. Can't wait to see all this unfold. Bring on Nationals and the Olympics!!!
Does anyone have a copy of the work orders for nationals they can email me, please.
im after the work order too, even if someone can just post the athlete names and numbers that's be great so we know who's competing.
Chloe broke her foot a couple of weeks ago but she is still training bars. Not sure how she is going to dismount at Nationals.
urgh that sucks!
looks like chloe is out.
Chloe is still going to Nationals though to compete bars. Should be interesting with her marching on with crutches. Good on her for not giving up.
I thought Lauren won worlds in 2010 not 2011? Awesome that gymnastics has been given some attention though!!
sad for Chloe , she has worked so hard to get herself back into amazing shape . Gymnastics is such a cruel sport !!! But addictive..
Off topic I know, but I was just wondering...what's a likely age a girl can get her kip on bars? Thanks in advance for any replies.
Anon May 16, 2012 6:20 PM
A gymnasts will likely get a kip at the age that suits her and her skillset.
Please see this link for information.
http://youtu.be/Y5LZzJ5K_ug
There is a kip in IDP 2 I think which is max age 9? So by then if in the elite pathway I suppose. I don't think it is so much a question of age but how long it takes and I think usually about 6 months - depending on how much training they are doing of course. Some find this easier than others but it tends to come all of a sudden. Anyone who has followed a gymnast through this stage would agree it can be a very frustrating time. Get it, lose it, get it again! Lol good times.
I have seen some take a long time to learn this skill and then go on to be excellent bar workers so if you have a daughter at this stage, help her to stay positive and don't focus too much on it. For example don't ask every day after training "did you get your kip?" and encourage her not to focus on what the others in the gym are doing.
If she is doing IDP, the good ones tend to get it by 7 years old. Obviously this can vary depending on talent, coaches and training hours.
I disagree with this generalisation, unless you mean "good at kips" I wasn't there but I would bet that Lauren Mitchell didn't get her kip at 7. . I have seen very few who have.
Just wondering if anyone knows the format for the Australia v Japan competition -- team sizes, counting scores, all that sort of thing? Will we have Australia 1 and Australia 2 (and 3)? And has any announcment been made about which girls will be part of Australia 1, if that is what they are doing?
Thanks in advance for any info!
:)
Ange
I agree that not many gymnasts get their kisp by 7. I also agree however that it is the really strong, talented ones that do. Times have changed so much with gymnastics. A kip at 7 when Lauren was 7 wasn't the norml. Now at many HPC, 7 and 8 year olds are training 28 hours a week and therefore it is very common for talented gymnasts to get kips at 7. In the general gymnastics community it is obviously not common for kids to the get kips at 7 years old as most gymnasts don't start until they are 6.
My daughter got her kip by the age of 7 and she only started gymnastics at 6, she was in elite but is now in national stream. So "generally" I think that some skills will come easier to some girls be it their body shape, strength, whatever and other skills will be harder. You will find that there is always one or two skills that will take them a bit longer to pick up, for whatever reason. So the important thing to remeber is don't stress they will get it eventually. They are all individuals no matter what hours they train.
I agree my daughter also had her kip by 7 it does depend on the individual child and as the above person said it depends on coach, strength , persistance etc... in IDP 2 it is part of the bar routine some kids in IDP are doing skills much earlier than others that is why they are identified as having the potential to be in the international stream.
I agree to a certain level. But also I think some young girls physically develop earlier so the strength that is required is there, doesn't mean they pick skills up faster just they develop earlier then some other girls. I think by the higher levels everybody should have equal playing field due to max strength has been achieved. However I am not saying that there isn't girls that pick things up quickly and those girls that do and have the dedication are normally ones that are world champs.
I dream of the day that Men's Gymnastics generates the amount of comments that Women's does???
I am quite looking forward to the mens competition :)
Well I'm there for the whole first week so I might go and check out some MAG sessions. Who are the one's to watch anon May 17 7.45pm? Or anyone else who knows MAG?
Tom and Josh (both from QLD) they are the two competing for the 1 olympic spot for MAG, Luke also from QLD, Sam (SA) , Prashanth (NSW), Luke (VIC) I am quite looking forward to the snr team competition but also AA and apparatus finals.
I love watching the mag gee they can go fast around the high bar.
Is anyone going to nationals able to video??? I'm in WA and would love to see footage. Wish I could be there. Many thanks in advance.
I am really disappointed that the senior Mag are competing on a different week to the Level 6 and 7 competitors. It is good for the younger boys to watch the senior Mag compete and because of the timetable it is imoossible to arrange. Go Josh! I am behind you 100%. I see Nayoa is competing again for Qld. Shame his citizenship wasn't ready for The Olympic Trials. We may have had a team.
Luke is no longer training in QLD.
All of this MAG talk is great to see. Keep it up people.
Can anyone confirm if MLC are closing their IDP program. Apparently the gymnasts have been told to find new IDP clubs such as Waverley, Balance or HPC
My favourite MAG apparatus is definately HB especially at Snr level with big releases
If some of you MAG competitors would give us some gossip to work with then I think there would a whole lot more discussion about the mens program. You boys need to learn how to communicate.
jayden bull's h bar(Vic)Senior is amazing! full twisting kovacs possibly into a kovacs straight away. Watch out for it
He has an awesome Kovacs Kolman connection! YouTube it!
That is awesome! I am looking forward to seeing Josh and Tom going all out in their battle to become australias solo mag gymnast in london
woo hoo there are some fellow mag supporters here ... yes will be good to see who comes up trumps - Josh or Thomas - but will this be the decider or will they have a final control comp at the AIS in June!!!
And check out the action in the Under 18's - hoping Brody hits all his routines!!!
Can Qld boys teams do as good as last year??
Gossip ... in MAG ... Boys tell it straight and how it is!!!! no need for gossip
and yes I share your disappointment in the split weeks - the boys really do look up to the seniors - I've been to the last 5 men's nationals and know how much that all the senior men from all states interact as much as possible with the young boys - they have readily approached the boys in training offering suggestions and support!!! Our Men do rock and with John Curtin working with all the States (and hopefully not just the HPC's) we can only see a great future for the boys - just look at this year they plan to take a L7U14 on the trip to Austria!!!
They always have selected an under 14 competitor. It is just that with the Level 7 being harder than it was two years ago, it is no longer level 8/9 even though they are doing the skills that they did in level 8. Last year William Sherwood got selected in the under 14. I don't think he ended up travelling in the end but he did initially get selected. Some of the level 9 competitors this year aren't doing much more difficult skills than the 7's.
Shawn Johnson once said in an interview that it took her a year - year and a half to get a kip. It's such a hard skill to master, especially when the gymnasts aren't elite or national and training minimal hours a week.
If Brody can keep his cool he will do awesomely. If! if! if!
so do you think the 9's have been pushed up too early - what state ??
Wa has a full squad of 7 unders!!!
Is William still training/competing??
I would love to see Brody compete 100% at nationals! & in regards to olympic mag selection if I remember correctly I think tom said there was a camp or something after nationals.
I thought QLD had full teams for each level named at states for MAG too.
And I agree getting the boys to gossip is not possible, its told how it is.
Maybe for Nationals we can have a thread for each gymsport (I support all).
My biggest memory of seeing the snr boys getting along with junior boys is states last year. Some of the little level 3 boys were getting slightly excited that Sam S was there at their comp so I went and gave them the black pen I had in my hand and told them if they asked him nicely im sure he would sign their regional challenge shirts. He did and sat there and talked to them as he did.
GA has a MAG who to watch guide out http://www.gymnastics.org.au/default.asp?Page=24493
Qld has a full level 6 team but Cassiel has pulled out so he can do acro. So the team won't be as strong as it would have been. Only 3 doing Mag all around in level 7, with a couple doing 3 appatatus each. Level 9 has two strong competitors as it is their 2nd/3rd year training the same level. The third good level 9 gymnast from Qld is injured and is not competing. The other 2 level 9's should probably be competing level 7under or level 8 open but hopefully they will do enough to help the team. Good luck to all of the boys.
Yes I knew about Cassiel being pulled for AGT. there is a nice article I found on Jack Miller today http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/local/news/general/young-thornlands-gymnast-wins-state-championship/2555202.aspx
MAG channel 9 1040 am 20th may !!!
How are the other States looking in the MAG?
National Clubs in Caloundra in September??? wonder what the turnout will be like???
Sad to hear of so many boys injured or not able to complete full AA.
Brody will keep it together!!!!! just hope someone videos it and posts it for all to see - including Brody to prove to him he is quality inside and out
AND YES PLEASE MEZ - SEPARATE THREADS FOR ALL GYMSPORTS AT NATIONALS ... OH WE WILL BE BUSY!!!
National clubs week will be insane as its the same time as state clubs and border challenge. The level 9 for qld that is out due to injury, is that Chris?
MLC closing the IDP program???
are you sure?
No the level 9'er is Michael Tone
Michael :(((
why??? he looked really good at state trials - move to HPC worked!!
who are the qld boys for 7under this year - WA boys will be hot to take this title from them!!!
Hi guys.
I've now created posts you can comment on pertaining to divisions at Nationals.
Cheers.
Michael is injured. He broke a bone in his leg or foot I think.
L7 under for Qld is Finlay kroon, Noah Eisen...., Lewis Redding, Jackson Clarke, Sam Schukin, Morgan ? I am not sure who else.
Possible the team could get beaten unfortunately.
that is so awful for Michael ... :(((
:( michael looked so good at states
The great post on your blog, it really gives me an insight on this topic.
mlc closing idp program...
why??
When you say mlc are closing idp program, does this affect the juniors and seniors as well. What will Amelia and Stella do?
The great post on your blog, it really gives me an insight on this topic.
I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles.
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