By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Valley gymnasts will face off against their interstate counterparts after being chosen to compete in the Australian Gymnastic Championships later this month.
Eight gymnasts from Yarra Valley Gymsports Academy were recently named for the state team, and will compete in the 12-day championships, running from 23 May to 4 June.
Grace Clinton, Mikki Cleg, Amy Whitehead, Georgia Sissins, Holly Estcourt, Dylan Findley, Marian Marr and Laila Halim will join the team, and be among 1400 athletes competing over 6000 routines in the championships.
The gymnasts are based around the valley and its surrounds, to Toolangi, and range in age from 11 to 20, and will compete in the acrobatic gymnastics discipline.
Yarra Valley Gymsports Academy president Kym Estcourt Barclay told the Mail that the eight athletes made up two all-girl trios and a mixed-gender pair.
“We’re really excited,” she said.
“We’ve always been quite successful, for such a small club that only has a limited area to train in.
“They just need to be recognised – not many people know we’re tucked away at the (Healesville) high school.”
She said the team had two trials for the state team, one in March and another, more recently, in Box Hill.
The results speak for themselves, with the gymnasts making it to the Australia-wide competition.
The Australian champions will be named across five Gymsports, and elite athletes will also be selected for the Rio Olympic Games.
For more information about the championships, visit ausgymnasticschamps.com.au
