Gisborne trio stand out at tumbling champs

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A great year got better for Gisborne Trampoline Club athlete Lily Arnold when she attended the Counties Manukau Tumbling Champs in Auckland this month.

She was one of three club members, the others being Sophie Chambers and Bella Campbell-Reidy, who attended the champs.

They competed in FIG (International) and National Tumbling divisions. All three performed with distinction.

The New Zealand secondary schools competition was conducted in conjunction with the champs.

Lily Arnold won the national secondary schools title in the 15/16-year age group and took the gold medal in the FIG (International) division in the same age group.

Arnold was selected for the Tairawhiti Rising Legends this year. This is a programme that acknowledges the district's top athletes. They each receive a $1000 scholarship and mentoring that allows them to develop their skills as well-rounded athletes.

Arnold has also qualified for the Australian nationals and the world champs in Birmingham, England.

The past few years have been hard on athletes and it has been five years since the club has had a competitor at the world champs.

Sophie Chambers won bronze in the 15/16yr national age group at the Counties Manukau competition and took silver in the national secondary school champs. She has also qualified for the national champs to be held in Tauranga in July.

Bella Campbell-Reidy took out the FIG 11/12yr age group title, which showed how dedication to training brings results.

Head coach Doug Callahan says the three girls are easy to coach as they have the right attitude and temperament, and love putting in the training.

The club has representatives at the Icon club this weekend for a trampoline and DMT competition.