Long journey, rich reward

TRAVELLERS RETURN: Back from Invercargill are Gisborne Trampoline Club members (from left): Porsha Warren-Hillman, Tyler Sheldrake, Jaxon Pardoe, Bella Campbell-Reidy, Haley Rolls, Lily Arnold, Ngature Tuhura, Tegan Hayward and head coach Doug Callahan. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne trampolinists and tumblers returned from the New Zealand nationals in Invercargill with 10 gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

A team of 10 from Gisborne Trampoline Club, set — along with Waipukurau athletes — to represent Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay, lost two members before competition started. Covid was the culprit.

Isileli Kamoto could not travel because he was a close contact of a family member with Covid.

James van Aswegen and his father Jacobus, on reaching Queenstown ready for a few days on the slopes before competition, tested positive. This meant seven days of isolation based in a campervan, which counted James out of the competition.

Other members of the team had their travel plans disrupted by flight cancellations. Some travelled to Wellington by car and found accommodation at short notice before connecting with other flights.

All eight remaining Gisborne members of the team made it to Invercargill, albeit with different arrival dates and some disruption to training.

The stress did not seem to affect performance.

On Day 1 the team snapped up six gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Bella Campbell-Reidy, in the 10-and-under tumbling, won gold with some incredible tumbling runs that set the scene.

Haley Rolls followed, and completed her three passes with ease to take out the Youth International event.

Next to put on a tremendous display was the club's first National-grade male tumbling competitor, Jaxon Pardoe. He won the New Zealand title in the 11-and-12-year age group and with the improvement shown will be moving to Youth International.

Lily Arnold added to the great performances by winning the Women's Junior International tumbling division. Lily trains hard, and her enjoyment of the sport is reflected in her attitude and results.

The Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay tumbling team capped off their performances by taking the award for national tumbling champions in the International Division in New Zealand, and with it the prestigious Southland Association Power Tumbling Cup.

In the afternoon, Jaxon Pardoe teamed up with Charlie Laird to win the New Zealand title for synchronised trampoline in the 11-and-12-year age group.

Haley Rolls then added another New Zealand title, synchronising with Kristel Moir from Waikato in Youth International.

Lily Arnold won silver with Charlotte MacDonald from Waikato, and Tegan Hayward showed great form with Caitlin Kirk to take silver for HBPB in a very strong 15-16 age group.

Ngature Tuhura teamed up with James Seaward from Waikato to take bronze, and Porsha Warren-Hillman also took bronze, teaming up with Isabella Wainohu from Rotorua.

The next day, Jaxon Pardoe had his sights set on another New Zealand title on double mini trampoline (DMT). Determined, and in a very hard age group, he added another title, which gave him three New Zealand titles in a row — an outstanding effort for his first national champs. This performance also sets him up for entry to Youth International double mini tramp.

The next HBPB competitor was Porsha Warren-Hillman, who won the New Zealand title in 10-and-under trampoline. In her routine, Porsha performed double and twisting somersaults, and she won her age group by five marks.

Moving on from this she then added the 10-and-under national title in DMT.

Her performances also set her up for Youth International next year — an incredible feat for her age.

Hayley Rolls then added a silver medal in trampoline and DMT in the Youth International division.

Tyler Sheldrake, competing in his first New Zealand nationals, stepped up in a very strong 10-and-under age group of trampolinists and was close to medalling, finishing fourth.

Next year the New Zealand nationals will be held at Mt Maunganui from July 3 to 9.