A squad of 10-year-old gymnasts from Funtastic Gymnastics in Berwick have once again proved they are among the best groups across the country, taking out fifth place overall in the National Clubs Carnival Gymnastics Competition recently.
Consisting of six girls, the Level 5 squad competed against 500 others across the country during the competition in the Gold Coast from Thursday 28 September to Saturday 30 September.
Qualifying for the Division A final, the squad challenged other clubs from across the country in bars, beam, floor and vault, taking home the silver medal in bars, the bronze medal in beam, fifth place in floor and sixth place in vault.
Head coach Janet Howe she was proud of the girls’ achievements, especially against well-funded clubs featuring international gymnasts who are training to compete in the Olympics.
“It was quite a phenomenal effort,” she said.
“We’re a very small club.”
The squad competes within the Australian Levels Program (ALP) as part of the competitive Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) program, consisting of 10 levels each with strict skill requirements, with level progression only possible by achieving a grading score at competition.
Ms Howe said the squad had been undefeated in Victoria championships for the past two years and this competition was their first time competing outside of the state.
“They’re an extremely strong squad,” she said.
Ms Howe said their club always aimed to create a balance between encouraging competitiveness and creating fun.
“We will always have it at this level,” she said.
“Our kids only train 16 hours a week.”
Ms Howe said she was “very confident” the squad would become state champs at this weekend’s Victorian State Championships on Saturday 14 October.
“The Funtastic Gymnastics gymnasts from ALP levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 will all compete in the junior Victorian Gymnastics Championships this weekend,” she said.
