Thieves leave gymnasts in tears

DEVASTATED: Gymnasts Claire Hughes, 10 (left), and Willow Smith, 9, are upset after their first national championships was ruined by theft. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua gymnasts celebrating their first national championships had their spirits crushed on the final day by thieves who ransacked one of their vans and stole gear, medals and even their lunches.

MIGS Gym took 35 gymnasts to the 2014 National GymSports Championships in Auckland last week. On Saturday, the final day of competition, the team were inside the Trusts Arena, Waitakere, supporting their coach who was competing.

MIGS Gym centre manager Leanette Farkash said their chaperone went to their van - they had four parked in the car park - and realised something was amiss.

"Their lunch and all their bags were missing," she said.

"They cleaned the van out. One of our gymnasts had dislocated her elbow and they had left her medicine and another gymnast's moon-boot but that's it.

"One little girl lost her doll that her grandmother had made her. She died from cancer last year so it's something that can never be replaced. All their medals, their leotards. Everything."

She said 13 people had belongings stolen.

"The kids were really upset. This was their first nationals. They'd had a fantastic time but this was a terrible way to end their time away.

"When my daughter came home from her first [nationals] she was crying because she had such a great time and didn't want to leave. These kids have come home with nothing."

The competition organisers are replacing the medals, she said, but it would be hard to restore the children's feelings.

"It's sad and not fair. The teenagers were awesome with the little ones, trying to console them. The team culture shone through."

The theft was reported to police in Auckland. Mrs Farkash said there were cameras in the car park but only to monitor vehicles going in and out.