Sport
21 June, 2023
Somerset gymnasts make their mark
Gymnasts from Kilcoy, Toogoolawah and Lowood were among nearly 160 participants in an invitational competition at the Gatton and Lowood Gymnastics Club, based in Gatton.
The Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) event on June 10 contained gymnasts aged five to 16 years from clubs at Chinchilla, Dalby, Toowoomba and Browns Plains, in addition to the Somerset towns.
Divisions ranged from levels one to five while categories were bars, beam, floor and vault.
Lowood-Gatton gymnastics coach Wouterina Proos said the focus was mainly on participation, personal improvement, team spirit, having a good time, and improving confidence and self-esteem.
“I believe it was a very successful weekend,” she said.
“The day’s events were enjoyed by one and all, and we are looking forward to our next event in August.”
Wouterina said highlights included the high attendance, while the team spirit was met with loud cheering.
Kilcoy gymnastics coach Grace Kotzur said the Kilcoy and Toogoolawah participants “did quite well, and some of them bettered how they went in previous competitions”.
“For some, it was their first competition,” she said.
Grace said it was great to see parents and families come together at the event, making it feel like the Kilcoy and Toogoolawah contingent “came together as a community on the day”.
Another feature for the Kilcoy and Toogoolawah gymnasts was wearing pink bows in their hair as well as donning nail polish, in support of Ava Costa.
At just 14 years of age, Ava sustained a serious spinal injury after falling from a balance beam and landing on her neck during a training session earlier this year.
A Walking With Ava Foundation was established, with the gymnastics community showing their support for Ava during her recovery.
