Coaches deserve ‘big thank-you’

Flying the flag: Gisborne Gymnastics Club members — gymnasts and coaches — performed well at the Hastings Gymnastics Junior Competition last weekend. Club members are, back (from left): Jade Swann, who competed and on the second day also coached, and Lauren Chambers. Middle: coaches Chris Mackay, Amber Kingsbeer, Elisabeth Missen, Brooke Gedye, Eireann Hudner and Jamie Gedye (absent are Ngaia Gudgeon and Kelly Pelham). Front: Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke, Sarah Hawkins, Hayley Rolls, Sacha Sims, Summer Ferris, Lily Rolls, Ryan Phillips, Charlie Keepa, Ralo Bright, Caitlin Winchester, Callum Hawkins, Olivia Gardiner, Casey Wilson, Joelle Ruru, Isabel Arthur, Sophie Chambers, Taylor Newman, Danielle Blair.Picture by Liam Clayton

GYMNASTICS

GISBORNE results at the Hastings Gymnastics Junior Competition are testament to the talent and enthusiasm of Gisborne Gymnastics Club’s young coaches, says head coach Nicola Ludwig.

“They deserve a big thank-you for their commitment, patience and hard work in getting their junior teams ready for the season,” Ludwig said.

“No matter how high the obstacles were, Chris Mackay, Elisabeth Missen, Jamie Gedye, Brooke Gedye, Amber Kingsbeer, Ngaia Gudgeon, Kelly Pelham, Jade Swann and Eireann Hudner jumped the hurdles and made training for all kids possible.

“The results of the last competition in Hastings show their talent as coaches and their enthusiasm for the sport.”

Gisborne Gymnastics Club results from the Hastings Gymnastics Junior Competition last Saturday and Sunday —

Step 1 girls

7 years and under — Hayley Rolls: 2nd overall, 1st on vault, 3rd on uneven bars, 3rd on balance beam, 3rd on floor

8 years and over — Joelle Ruru: 2nd equal overall, 2nd on vault, 1st on beam, 5th equal on floor. Taylor Newman: 2nd equal overall, 3rd equal on uneven bars, 3rd on beam and floor. Georgiana Elmer: 6th overall, 2nd on beam, 4th on floor. Capria Tamatea: 7th overall, 3rd on vault, 5th on uneven bars. Gisborne Team 1 (Hayley Rolls, Joelle Ruru, Taylor Newman, Georgiana Elmer): 1st in teams event.

Step 2 girls

9 years and over — Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke: 2nd overall, 1st on beam and floor, 4th equal on vault. Casey Wilson: 3rd overall, 2nd on vault, 3rd on beam and floor, 6th on uneven bars. Lily Rolls: 5th overall, 2nd equal on uneven bars, 5th equal on floor. Summer Ferris: 6th overall, 2nd equal on uneven bars, 3rd on vault, 4th on floor. Caitlin Winchester: 5th equal on floor. Gisborne Team 1 (Miriam Cornfeld, Caitlin Winchester, Summer Ferris, Lily Rolls): 2nd in teams event.

Step 3 girls

9 years and under — Sarah Hawkins: 2nd overall, 1st on floor, 2nd on vault, uneven bars and beam.

10 years and over — Sophie Chambers: 1st overall, 1st on uneven bars and floor, 4th on vault, 3rd equal on beam. Charlie Keepa: 2nd overall, 1st on beam, 2nd equal on vault, 3rd equal on floor. Danielle Blair: 6th overall, 6th on vault and uneven bars. Amelia Arthur: 8th overall, 6th on beam. Gisborne Team 1 (Sophie Chambers, Charlie Keepa, Danielle Blair, Sarah Hawkins): 2nd in teams event. All five gymnasts posted qualifying scores towards achieving Step 4 standards.

Step 4 girls

Ralo Bright: 3rd overall, 1st on vault, 3rd on uneven bars, 4th on beam and floor.

Ralo is the only Step 4 gymnast in the club and is working towards achieving national standards in Step 5.

Step 6 girls

12 years and under — Lauren Chambers: 3rd overall, 1st on beam, 3rd on vault, uneven bars and floor.

13 years and over — Jade Swann: 2nd overall, 1st on floor, 2nd on vault and uneven bars, 3rd on beam.

Lauren and Jade each posted another qualifying score to add to their nationals account. Selections will take place in August and both gymnasts have two more competitions to improve their marks.

Level 1 boys

Ryan Phillips: 3rd overall, 1st on pommel horse and rings, 2nd on vault and parallel bars, 4th on floor, 9th on high bar.

Ryan showed great nerves in his first competition and looked as if he had done plenty of competitions before.

Level 3 boys

Callum Hawkins: 1st overall, 1st on vault (with near-perfect score of 11.8 out of 12) and high bar, 2nd on pommel horse and rings, 3rd on floor, 4th on parallel bars.