Gymnasts from across the state will descend on the region this week, as Armidale City Gymnastics Club hosts the NSW Country Championships and the NSW Winter Invitational.
“We’re really excited,” said Stella Single, Armidale City Gymnastics Club committee member.
“We have hosted the championships before, so we feel on top of what’s coming next, but it’s always a really exciting time for us to welcome so many gymnasts and coaches and families to our club and to Armidale.”
Starting on Tuesday, July 9, men and women, boys and girls, will compete across eight different disciplines over six days, including women’s and men’s gymnastics, rhythmic, freeg and many other activities over the week.
“We’ve got just over 1,000 athletes and 140 of those are from the Armidale Club,” said Stella.
“It is our biggest team over the last few years and we’re really excited to be able to have our local gymnasts showcasing their skills and their achievements alongside some of the state’s best.”
Athletes competing in the Country Championships can qualify for the state championships to be held later this year.
“There is a lot for kids to achieve, but at the end of the day, they are also just looking forward to getting out on the floor and having a lot of fun,” said Stella.
Hosting the Winter Invitational is a first for Armidale City Gymnastics and opens the opportunity for more competitors from the big smoke to venture to the New England.
“We don’t always get a lot of competition time against gymnasts from the city so it’s really exciting for our gymnasts to be able to compete against them and be able to see where they’re up to against some of the bigger clubs and they’re really looking forward to being able to be a part of that,” said Stella.
If you enjoy watching gymnastics, or sport, or if you have a young one interested in gymnastics, this week is the perfect opportunity to see what is out there in a fun and entertaining environment.
“It is a free event for everyone to come and see so many different disciplines.”
“There really is something for everyone. It’s kid friendly,” she said.
“I know we have a lot of families in the New England whose kids have come through the gym, whether that be through school or through kindergarten or things like that, so it’s always really exciting for them to actually get into the gym and see it in full competition mode and it’s also just great for people to be able to come and support the club.”
You can view the week’s timetable of events here.