The coveted Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club Ollerup scholarship has been awarded to Thomas Dew for 2014.
The Ollerup Gymnastics Academy is a world-renowned facility in Denmark. Attendees learn all forms of gymnastics with opportunities to perform and compete in Denmark and northern Europe, where performance and group gymnasticsis popular. Students also learn sports science, coaching techniques and can participate in a variety of other sports - from handball to tree climbing.
The scholarship is unique to the Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym club and is awarded to a deserving club member aged between 18 and 30 who display the right attributes and passion towards gymnastics and the club. Coaches who have attended the academy provide the club with fresh ideas, coaching techniques and invaluable experience that benefit the club's gymnasts and their learning.
An ex-competitive gymnast originally from Taranaki, Dew joined the club's adult gymnastics class in 2012 wanting to "give it a go" and see what he could still do. "It has been a lot of fun," Dew said. "I have met lots of great people and I am learning new skills."
Dew works full-time as an automotive technician but still volunteers his time as a coach, working mainly with the senior competitive boys.
"It's been great being able to pass on my knowledge and experience while also learning just as much from the gymnasts. It's so rewarding when they finally nail that new skill we've been working towards." he said.
He started his gymnastics journey at the St Johns club in Hawera. He joined its competitive squad at age 11 and quickly moved up the ranks, being awarded the Taranaki Gymnastics Association Top Gymnast award in 1997. He qualified for the National Championships in 1998 where he placed 6th overall. He successfully competed at regional competitions between 1997 and 1999, earning several individual gold medals and has fond memories of competing at the Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club in the Wanganui Opens.
Since returning to gymnastics 13 years later, Dew has performed in numerous displays with the tumbling squad, competed at team gym competitions with the rest of the adult team, and competed in the 2013 Masters Games, getting silver.
Head coach and former Ollerup student Kelly Taylor-Ward was delighted that Dew was awarded the scholarship.
"Tom's coaching skills have grown from strength to strength in the past year. Gymnasts that he coaches and mentors have been able to achieve their goals of regional and national success. He is always keen to lend a hand around the club and is a very deserving Ollerup scholarship recipient." Dew will start at Ollerup in August this year, joined by about 30 other international students and more than 100 Danish students. The students attend two semesters at the academy, finishing in June 2015. "I am really grateful to be given this opportunity and I can't wait to go," Dew said.
