Taking on Australia's best trampolinists

KIWI PRIDE: Trampolinists Leah Scholefield and Raine Lamont-Milner will represent their club and country at the Australian gymnastics championships in Melbourne. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

LEAH Scholefield has a good chance of making the final in her age group at the Australian national gymnastics championships in Melbourne later this month, says Eastland Port Gisborne Trampoline Club coach Doug Callahan.

“You never want to put too much pressure on young athletes but you have to balance that with some,” Callahan said.

“Leah, who will compete in the 13-15 years (youth) age group in trampoline, double-mini and synchro (with an Auckland girl), is in excellent form.

“She competed in the Australian nationals two years ago but the youth age group is another step up. Making finals will be tough but if Leah performs as well as I know she can, she can make finals.”

Callahan said Raine Lamont-Milner (9yrs) was also competing predominantly for the experience “but anything is possible”.

“Nerves is always a problem for anyone competing overseas for the first time. Raine may only be nine but he’s got a lot of natural talent. He has the degree of difficulty required to do well but needs to work on improving his form.

“Raine’s competing in all three disciplines, synchronising with a boy from Hamilton.”

Kaiya Huta, Finn Vette and Seth Williams also qualified for the champs but Vette and Williams had to withdraw though injury while Huta is focusing on the Indo-Pacific champs at Napier in October.