MAY 2008

WELCOME

Welcome to the first edition of RG E-News, the newsletter dedicated to Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics enthusiasts.

RG E-News is brought to you by the National Rhythmic Gymnastics Sports Management Committee and will provide you with the latest information on what’s happening around Australia and the rest of the World.

RG E-News will be distributed electronically; however we’d like to know how often you’d like to receive it. We hope you enjoy our first issue!

Inside This Issue

· Rhythmic Gymnastics

· Introducing your National Sports Management Committee

· Around the Nation

· National and International Events

· 2008 RG Levels Tour to New Zealand

· 2008 RG Skoolgirls Championships

· 2008 RG National Club Championships

· Recent International Results

· RG Resources

· Athlete Spotlight – Naazmi Johnston

· Surfing the Web

· Focus on Groups in 2009 – 2012

· Coaching Hint

· RG E-News Survey

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Rhythmic Gymnastics a graceful, dynamic and captivating sport that is synonymous with sheer beauty, poise and elegance.

It is the perfect sport to teach body awareness and control – skills that will assist in the development of athletic potential for any sporting endeavor. Rhythmic Gymnastics:

· Develops posture and confident body movement, for sport and life

· Enhances co-ordination and agility, for body awareness and balance

· Enhances creativity and builds self confidence

· Increases flexibility and strength and prepares the body for the life’s challenges

· Develops healthy minds and bodies for now and later life

Give your daughter the right start in life. Let her experience Rhythmic Gymnastics and watch her confidence and self-esteem grow in leaps and bounds.

Gymnastics Australia is recognized by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) as the governing body for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Australia Gymnastics Australia is responsible for:

· Development of programs

· Production of publications and resources

· National Education and Training Framework for Coaches, Judges and Administrators

· Staging of National and International events in Australia

· Selection of National teams and squads

Gymnastics Australia works in partnership with 8 State/Territory Associations who:

· Service the needs of the clubs and their members

· Stage State Championships and events

· Host coaching clinics/seminars

· Conduct school programs and in-services

· Select State teams and squads

There are 8 recognised gymsports under the Gymnastics Australia banner. Each gymsport has a dedicated National Sport Management Committee (SMC) which is responsible for management and development of that gymsport.

INTRODUCING YOUR NATIONAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The National SMC has four keen members who provide the technical direction for Rhythmic Gymnastics. The SMC and the National Program Manager have the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the sport, the setting of interim policy and the implementation of all policies and procedures recommended by the SPTA and the Gymnastics Australia Board.

Teresa Evans:

NationalTechnical Director

Teresa Evans

Teresa took over the Technical Director position from Robyn Pride in 2005 and currently holds the position until the end of 2008. Teresa has judged at numerous international competitions and is a well respected Judge at a state, national and international level. Teresa is a FIG Difficulty Expert Judge and holds a FIG Category 2 Brevet qualification.

Gina Peluso:

National Judging Coordinator

Gina Peluso

Gina was appointed the Interim National Judging Coordinator in October 2007 for the period October to March 2008 replacing Ellena Papas who held the position until September 2007. The Gymnastics Australia Board appointed to remain in the National Judging Coordinator position until the end of 2008. Gina has a FIG Category 3 Brevet and also coaches at the Moreton Bay College in Queensland.

Nicole Higham:

National Project Officer

Nicole Higham

Nicole has been actively involved in Rhythmic Gymnastics for many years, firstly as a gymnast and now as a coach for beginner to elite level gymnasts. She has been responsible for the development of the National Program Manual and the RG Skoolgirls Competition. Nicole is a Project Officer on the National SMC and holds this position until the end of 2008. She is also a member of the NSW RG SMC.

Jo Edinger:

National Project Officer

Jo Edinger

Jo is well known in the Rhythmic Gymnastics community as a former High Performance Coach at the WA RG HPC and now owner and director of the Ritmico Gymnastics Club in Perth. She has been involved in the management of the sport at a state and national level for a number of years. Jo is a Project Officer on the National SMC and holds this position until the end of 2008.

Karon Williams:

National Program Manager

Karon Williams

Karon is employed full time by Gymnastics Australia and is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Rhythmic Gymnastics and the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics National SMCs.

The National SMC would like to take this opportunity to thank Ellena Papas for her valuable contribution as a National SMC Committee Member from 2005 – 2007. Ellena held the position of National Judging Coordinator and was instrumental in developing the Level 1 and 2 RG Judges Courses.

AROUND THE NATION

There’s plenty of action for gymnasts, coaches and judges in 2008.

STATE	EVENT	LOCATION	CONTACT
ACT	Not Available		Gymnastics ACT (02) 6257 7544 Email: admin@actga.net
NSW 24-25 May 1 June 7 June 14-15 June 28-29 June 29 June 6 July 3 August 9-10 August 30-31 August 6 September 20-21 September 25 October	RG L7-10 & International State Championships Level 1 Coaching Course Part 2 RG L1-6 Hunter Region Invitational RG SMC L1-6 Invitational RG L1-6 Yotala Invitational RG L1-6 BCI Invitational RG L1-10 Coffs Harbour PCYC Invitational RG L1-6 BCI Invitational RG L1-10 Yotala Invitational RG L1-6 State Championships Level 1B RG Judges Course & Shorthand Workshop Level 2A RG Judges Course RG State Categories	Dunc Gray Gladesville RSL Forster Gymnastics North Ryde Yotala Gymnastics Boys Club Inverell Coffs Harbour Gym Bos Club Inverell Yotala Gymnastics Sydney Sports Centre GNSW Office Homebush GNSW Office Homebush Sydney Sports Centre	Gymnastics NSW (02) 9763 5011 Email: info@gymnsw.org.au
NT	Not Available		Gymnastics NT (08) 8927 9262 Email: nt.gymnastics@bigpond.com
QLD 18 May 24 May 1 June 14 June 21 – 22 June 27 June – 3 July 27 July 8 August 6 September 20 – 21 September 18 October	RG Series 1 L4-10, Stage 1-4, Junior & Senior 1A & 1B RG Judges Course RG series 2 L4-10, State 1-4, Junior & Senior RG Aurora Challenge L1-3 Level 1 Coaches Course QLD State Championships Salton, Flic and Handspring Workshop QGSSA Multiples Trial RG Multiples States & RG Sunshine Team Challenge 1A and 1B Judges Course	TBC Brisbane TBC Moreton Bay College Brisbane Chandler Sleeman Centre Brisbane TBC Moreton Bay College Caloundra Brisbane	Gymnastics QLD (07) 3391 4065 Email: info@gymqld.org.au
SA 29 – 31 May 14, 21, 28 June 30 August 25 – 26 October 8 November 29 November	SA State Championships State Team Training Pairs and Trios Competition Level 1 Coaches Course State Multiples Championships Two Apparatus Competition	Marion	Gymnastics SA (08) 8294 8288 Email: admin@gymsa.com.au
TAS 24 May 13 July 19 October	RG L1-3 Competition & 2^nd Trial RG Award Test & L4-9 Competition RG Award Test & L1-3 Competition	TBA TBA TBA	Gymnastics TAS (03) 6278 2378 Email: admin@gymtas.com
VIC 4 May 18 May 1 June 22 June 10 August 2-5 September 30 Sept – 1 October 26 October 23 November 7 December	Trial 1 Trial 2 Vic Championships L7-10 Level Award Test State Pennant Interschool Gymnastics Championships Aussie All Stars Vic Championships L4-6 VIC Categories Championships Level Award Test	Prahran Prahran Prahran Prahran DISC Prahran Prahran	Gymnastics VIC (03) 9214 6020 Email: info@gymnasticsvictoria.org.au
WA 24-25 May 14 June 15 June 21-22 June 28-29 June 5 July 6 July 5-6 July 2-3 August 16-17 August 30 August 1-2 November 15-16 November 30 November	RG Trial #2 L7-10, Elite RG State Team Training Elite RG State Team Training L7-10 Go For 2 & 5 RG State Schoolgirls RG State Championships L7-10, Elite RG SAT Elite & RG State team Training Elite RG State Team Training L7-10 Go For 2 & 5 NW Regional Championships RG Winter Challenge L4-6 Loftus Challenge L4-6,Cat 3-5 Multiples RG SAT Elite Rhythmic Spectacular L1-6, Stages 1&2, Cat 1&2 Multiples RG State Championships L1-6, Stages 1&2, Cat 1&2 Multiples RG SAT L4-9	Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus	Gymnastics WA (08)9228 9399 Email: info@gymnasticswa.asn.au
NATIONAL EVENTS
15-20 July 18 October 2008 2-4 October 2008 TBA	RG National Championships RG Skoolgirls Championships RG National Club Championships 2009 AYOF Selection Trial	Marion Centre, Adelaide PLC Sydney, Croydon Melbourne Girls College TBA	Gymnastics Australia