Local trampolinists picked for world championship tilt

OFF TO THE WORLD CHAMPS: Kaiya Huta (left) and Finn Vette. Picture by Paul Rickard

KAIYA Huta and Finn Vette have become the first Gisborne trampolinists to be picked for the New Zealand team — to compete at the world championships in Denmark in December — since 2007.

“The last Gisborne trampolinists competing at the worlds were Ryan Besseling, Chivaun Broderick, Anastasia Smith and Scott Tallott in Germany in 2007,” Eastland Port Gisborne Trampoline coach Doug Callahan said.

“Ryan and Chivaun made finals — the only Kiwis to make it that far at those champs — but there’s every chance Kaiya and Finn could emulate them.

“It’s all about what happens on the day, but they have the potential. Kaiya (13) is competing in the 13-14 years tramp and Finn (11), in the 11-12yrs double mini.

“Finn has been with me since he was six and Kaiya, since he was eight. Right from the start you could see they had the potential to go all the way to the worlds.

“I’m delighted for them.”

Both go into the New Zealand championships in good form, having won five gold medals at the Australian champs.

Huta won the tramp, double mini and synchronised, while Vette was first in the tramp and double mini.

“The NZ nationals will be a good build-up,” Callahan said.

“They’ll compete in the sub junior international divisions, 11-15yrs.”

Callahan has been coaching for 42 years and says he hopes to continue for another 10.

“It’s great seeing the smile on their faces, especially when they step up to the dais or when they perform a routine they’ve worked hard on.”