Golden nationals for Gisborne

Gisborne Trampoline Club members excelled at the national champs in Mount Maunganui. Their medal efforts included 15 gold. Back (from left) are Connor Brooks and Tyler Sheldrake. Front: Lily Arnold, Haley Rolls, Porsha Warren-Hillman, Daphne Morris and Mia MacArthur. Picture by Liam Clayton

by Marilyn Callahan

Gisborne Trampoline Club athletes returned from the national championships with 15 gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

The club took a team of 15 to the trampoline champs, which were held in Mount Maunganui across five days this month.

Haley Rolls stepped up in the FIG 11-and-12-year age group, winning gold in trampoline, double mini and tumbling, and in synchro with Hannah Van Schalkwyk, an Ice Club competitor.

To sweep the field in all divisons is a great aichievement.

Lily Arnold — returning from commanding performances at the Australian Nationals—– made her mark again competing in FIG level in New Zealand.

She won four gold medals and a bronze. She won gold in tumbling, double mini and synchro, and the bronze in trampoline.

She won her fourth gold medal on double mini, competing against Australia as a member of the New Zealand Transtasman team who claimed the title.

Porsha Warren-Hillman won three gold medals in the 9/10yr age group — in trampoline, tumbling and double mini — plus a silver in synchro.

Porsha is showing amazing development in the sport and has a great attitude to training. She will be in the 11/12yr age group next year and normally that would allow her to compete at the world champs.

However, with the Olympics being held next year, the trampolining world champs have been put back to 2025.

Tyler Sheldrake won two gold medals in the 9/10yr age group, which had a large field of competitors.

His medals were for trampoline and synchronised, competing in the latter event with Malachi Mackintosh from the Ricochet club.

The future looks bright for Tyler, as reflected in the mark he made at national level.

Connor Brooks, competing at his first national champs and partnered with Jack Stanley from the Dynamic club in Ashburton, did a great routine. They were rewarded with gold in the 11/12yr synchro.

All the team tumblers brought home medals.

Excellent performances from Sophie Chambers and Capria Tamatea earned silver and bronze respectively in the 15/16yr age group for tumbling.

Daphne Morris and Mia MacArthur, competing at their first nationals, achieved bronze in synchro.

Lily Arnold is building her training for the world gymnastic championships, to be held in the Utilita Arena Birmingham in England.