Importance of form illustrated

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

FORM is everything in competitions for younger trampolinists, says Eastland Port Gisborne Trampoline Club coach Doug Callahan.

“Raine Lamont-Milner found that out when he placed eighth on double mini, eighth on tramp and fourth on synchro at the Australian nationals in Melbourne,” Callahan said.

“Raine was competing in the 10-years-and under divisions where there is no degree of difficulty, so form is everything and unfortunately his was a little bit off.

“But it was his first international competition and he’ll learn a lot from the experience. If the competition had been in New Zealand, eighth would have got him into the finals but in Australia it’s the top six.

“And if you make the final you’re always in with a chance to medal.”

Callahan said one mistake on synchro, (with an Aucklander) cost the pair a bronze.

“Again, it’s all about experience,” Callahan said.

Thirteen-year-old Leah Scholefield, competing at youth international level (11-15yrs) for the first time, was fifth on double mini, fifth on tramp and fourth on synchro (with an Aucklander).

“Leah was unlucky not to medal on double mini,” Callahan said.

“If she had nailed her last pass she would have placed third, but it was still a great effort. Like Raine, Leah’s form was a little off, but they’ll both work hard at improving form and will come back stronger.”

Lamont-Milner and Scholefield, along with 12 teammates, will compete in the North Island champs at Auckland, seeking to qualify for the Indo Pacific champs at Napier in October.

“We’ve got three who have already qualified: Kaiya Huta, Finn Vette and Leah, all in tramp, double mini and synchro, and I’m picking that Bree Low will qualify on double mini,” Callahan said.

“This will be a huge event with more than 200 trampolinists, including some from Australia, trying to qualify for the Indo Pacifics.

“We’ll also be taking 14 trampolinists to the New Zealand nationals at Invercargill in September. It’s going to be a busy few months for them all.”