Updated 26th May 2008

OLYMPIC SELECTION TRIALS & 2008 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - EVENT WRAP
Over four action-packed days of competition at Melbourne's Vodafone Arena, the Olympic Selection Trials and 2008 Australian Championships are now complete. Congratulations to the 2008 Australian Champions:-

Men's Artistic:
Senior Australian Champion - Josh Jefferis (QLD)
Under 18 Australian Champion - Mathew Curtis (QLD)

Women's Artistic:
Senior Australian Champion - Dasha Joura (WA)
Junior Australian Champion - Emily Little (WA)
International Level 10 Australian Champion - Natalia Joura (WA)

A full listing of all results can be found here.

The National Apparatus Challenge, held on Sunday 25th May provided an opportunity for six selected athletes to compete on the following apparatus: MAG - FX, WAG - VT, MAG - PH, WAG - UB, MAG - VT, WAG - BB and MAG HB and WAG - FX. The winners of each apparatus can be found here.

If you missed the action OR would like to watch it over again, please see the banner advertisement below. Remember that any Club that has 10 or more subscribers receives any MyHeroes product to the value of $50. Subscriptions are payable by mastercard or VISA.

The following sessions are now available to watch on demand:-

Women's Artistic - Junior/Senior Team Final
Women's Artistic - Junior/Senior All-Around and Apparatus Finals
Men's/Women's Artistic - National Apparatus Challenge

And what about this as a special offer!
GA and SEG are now offering an “after the event” special, that for anyone who buys a subscription from 27th May 2008, we will offer a 20% reduction to the normal rate (i.e. – same as the early bird offer). This will apply for a limited time only, so subscribers will need to act fast

Media:
Jump Media provided fantastic media services in the lead-up to and throughout the Championships. This included a number of pre-event media promotions, media releases throughout the event and the co-ordination of accredited photographers, journalists and other media agencies throughout the Championships. You can view a range of event media by clicking the links below:-

View Media Releases

The following is a sample of other articles focussing on the Championships:-

Sunday Times - Olympic gymnasts face selection dilemma
The Australian - Bar set high as gymnasts target medal
Herald Sun - Consistent gymnasts catch eye
Sunshine Coast Daily - Joura takes big step toward Beijing
The Age - Qualification twist riles stars
The Age - Joura lands third national title
The Age - Bronze Aussies
Waverley Leader - Pulling out all stops

The Age also produced a great photo gallery from the event.

MYHEROES FANZONE A HIT AT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gymnastics Australia is pleased to report the success of the MyHeroes Fan Zone at the 2008 Australian Championships. Gymnastics fans were treated to a very rare opportunity to talk, mingle, get photos with and autographs from Australia's top athletes in conjunction with the MyHeroes promotion..

Thanks are extended to the following athletes and their coaches for making themselves available for this special promotion:-

Josh Jefferis, Sam Simpson, Prashanth Sellathurai, Dasha Joura, Lauren Mitchell, Olivia Vivian, Shona Morgan, Emma Dennis, Georgia Bonora, Ashleigh Brennan, Amber Fulljames and Naazmi Johnston.

Don't forget that there are plenty of great ways for you to connect with your gymnastics heroes through the MyHeroes web site. Special club promotions also make it a great fundraising opportunity for your Club.

Gymnastics Australia encourages all Clubs to promote myheroes.com.au to its Members. When Club Members, family or friends purchase products from the myheroes.com.au range, they will be able to ensure a 5% return of the sale price to their affiliated Club.

This is a great way for affiliated Clubs to promote and support their favourite Aussie gymnastics stars and earn income at the same time.

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER
Gymnastics Australia conducted it's annual awards dinner on Saturday 24th May at the Melbourne and Olympic Park Function Centre. The evening provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding performances in 2007 from our Men's and Women's Artistic gymnastics programs as well as formally acknowledging contributions from retiring athletes, and GA Award of Merit recipients.

The following is a list of awards presented:-

Gymnastics Australia Awards Of Merit:
Ade Foster - VIC (for service to National Events)
Michelle De Highden - VIC (for service to National Sport Management)
Margot Foster - VIC (for service to National Governance)
Peter Ruttledge - VIC (for service to National Governance)

Men's Artistic:
Junior Athlete of the Year - Mathew Curtis (QLD)
Senior Athlete of the Year - Prashanth Sellathurai (NSW)
International Coach of the Year - Serguei Chinkar (QLD)

Women's Artistic:
Junior Athlete of the Year - Emma Dennis (VIC)
Senior Athlete of the Year - Dasha Joura (WA)
Coaching Team of the Year - WAIS (WA)
World Championships Apparatus Finalist - Lauren Mitchell (WA)

Retirements:
Melody Hernandez (NSW)
Monique Blount (ACT)
Hollie Dykes (QLD)

LAUNCH OF A SPECIAL NEW WEB SITE HONOURING AUSTRALIAN WOMEN AT THE 1956 OLYMPIC GAMES GYMNASTICS COMPETITION
Gymnastics Australia is pleased to announce the launch of a new web site that has been in development for the past 2 years. The site provides an insight into the early developments of Women's Artistic gymnastics and the efforts to have Australian women take part in the 1956 Olympic Games.

The site features seven chapters, complete with photo galleries, video clips of archival footage and personal accounts from key people involved in the 1956 Games.

Thanks are extended to all who have contributed to the site with special thanks to Barbara Cunningham for co-ordinating the project.

Gymnastics Australia urges all members to take a look at the site.

GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA WELCOMES A NEW DIRECTOR
At the Gymnastics Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Sunday 25th May, Val Beddoe was elected as a Director. Val replaces Don Bollard.

Val was a former trampolinist. She is well known in Australia for her involvement in diving, not only as an athlete, a dual Olympic finalist and Commonwealth Games medallist, but also as a coach, administrator, team manager and commentator.

Gymnastics Australia welcomes Val to the Board of Gymnastics Australia.

GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA 2007 ANNUAL REPORT
The 2007 Annual Report was presented to members at the AGM held on Sunday 25th May 2008. Please click here to view a copy.

GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA CLUB DEVELOPMENT GRANTS SCHEME
The Club Development Grant Scheme is an initiative of Gymnastics Australia. The Scheme aims to provide affiliated gymnastics Clubs, who are committed to the Club 10 Accreditation Program, with funding assistance to improve operations and services.

The Club Development Fund was established following an unexpected, yet most welcome, donation made to Gymnastics Australia in 2004, by the Collegians Gymnastics Club Trustees. Each year, $13,000 is made available to successful applicant Clubs.

The key objective of the Club Development Grant Scheme is to ensure that gymnastics clubs are able to continue providing quality programs and improve overall club management, viability and sustainability.

Funds are awarded to successful applicants in one of two Categories:

Category 1 | Organisational Development
Available to Star 2 & Star 3 clubs only. Three grants are awarded to the value of $1,000
The successful Clubs for the 2008 Club Development Grant Scheme, Category One are:

• For the development Committee of Management Handbook
Warrnambool Springers Gymnastics Inc (Vic)

• For the conduct and attendance at a Child Safe Officer's Course for key Club personnel Tea Tree Gully Gymnastics (SA). To produce a Club-wide West Coast Procedural Manual West Coast Gymnastics Inc (WA).

Congratulations to those Clubs and we wish them well as they further advance in the Club 10 Program.

To our major recipients:

Category 2 | Special Initiatives
Available to Star 4 & Star 5 clubs only. One grant awarded to the value of $3,000; & One grant awarded to the value of $7,000. The successful Clubs for the 2008 Club Development Grant Scheme,
Category Two are:

• For the professional development of Coaches and Administrators through a Staff Exchange Program (jointly) Hunter Sports Centre (NSW) - Waverley Gymnastics Club (Vic)

And our major recipient, for the development of an inclusive program for pre-school children with disabilities, building on Gymnastics Australia’s own GymMix Program:

• Gymability GymMix Kingborough Sports Centre (Tas)

GYMNASTICS WEEK 2008 - START PLANNING YOUR INVOLVEMENT TODAY
GYMWEEK - It’s your chance to celebrate all the great things about leaping, rolling, flipping, balancing, spinning, swinging, jumping, turning, splitting, throwing, pitching, twisting, climbing and then show off what you can do.

Clubs around Australia are encouraged to get involved in GymWeek and promote themselves to their local community: send out the invitations then run an Open Day, perform a display, have a special showing of skills, set up special activities - the possibilities are endless!

To help you get started and get the most out of GymWeek, Gymnastics Australia is preparing a range of resources available to download from a special webpage to be launched on June 16.

Available resources will include:

• Get your community excited - Tips for a successful Media Release
• Colouring-in Competition – one for every Gymsport
• Ideas for running special themed lessons: Let The Games Begin
• Fun and challenging “Olympic Games” activities
• GymWeek Certificate template to print
• Adopt an Olympic Gymnast and follow their progress
• Links to the AOC, Herogram and My Heroes websites
• Our Local Hero Competition – nominate a hero from your club
• Tell the World - have your club activities posted on the website

DOWNLOAD - THE GYMWEEK FLYER

Now, start planning your displays and allocating time for GymWeek fun for every class. Then, download resources from: www.gymnastics.org.au from June 16.

MEN'S ARTISTIC - 2008 MAG OPEN TOUR SELECTION TRIAL
The Level 8 Open and Level 9 Open MAG gymnasts who wish to be considered for selection to compete at the 2008 New Zealand National Championships in Hamilton New Zealand must complete the Selection trial Nomination Form. Please click here to download this form from the MAG website.

The completed nomination form must be emailed or faxed (03 9830 4788) to the National Program Manager - Karon Williams at kwilliams@gymnastics.org.au by Monday 7th July 2008.

Failure to lodge the entry form by the due date will result in the gymnast not being permitted to trial for a position on the 2008 MAG Australian Open Tour. Entry into the Selection Trial does not constitute automatic entry into the National Championships. Gymnasts must still be nominated separately by their State Association into the National Championships.

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - OLYMPIC TRAINING SQUAD ANNOUNCED
Following the successful completion of the two Olympic Selection trials as part of the 2008 Australian Championships, the WAG National Selection Committee have announced the following athletes as part of the 2008 Olympic Training Squad:-

Dasha Joura - WA
Shona Morgan - VIC
Ashleigh Brennan - VIC
Georgia Bonora - VIC
Emma Dennis - VIC
Lauren Mitchell - WA
Melanie Jones - VIC
Amber Fulljames - QLD
Olivia Vivian - WA

Congratulations to all gymnasts, their clubs and programs.

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - INTERNATIONAL LEVELS CHALLENGE
The WAG International Levels Challenge will be held in Perth, September 10-14. Expression of Interest Forms for Coaches and Athletes are available on the Gymnastics Australia website. State Associations also have copies for distribution.

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - DRAFT CODE OF POINTS (2009)
This link is for the draft Code which at this time is the only one published. The final Code is currently with the FIG Executive for final approval. The final Code is very similar to the draft.

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - INTERNATIONAL LEVELS 6 AND 8 JUDGES COURSE
Date: Monday 7th July 2008
Venue: Sleeman Centre, Chandler, QLD
Course fee: $100.00 for participants who do not hold a WAG National Judges accreditation for this cycle:
$20.00 for participants who have completed a National accreditation on this cycle
$20.00 for observers

To enquire about, or register for this course, please contact Helen Colagiuri hcolagiuri@gymnastics.org.au

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - INTERNATIONAL LEVELS 6 AND 8 CLINIC
Dates: 13 - 15 July 2008
Venue: QAS Gym, Sleeman Centre, Chandler, Brisbane

All gymnasts training in International Level 6 & 8 are eligible to attend this clinic. Gymnasts must be accompanied by a coach.

Circular and Application forms have been forwarded to Clubs and State Associations.

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS - 2008 RG SKOOLGIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Skoolgirls National Championships will be held in Sydney on the 18th October 2008 at PLC Sydney in Croydon. The event information and entry forms can be found on the Gymnastics Australia website located under Events - National.

For further information please contact Karon Williams or Nicole Higham

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS - 2008 RG LEVELS TOUR SELECTION TRIAL
The Level 7, 8, 9 and 10 gymnasts who wish to be considered for selection to compete at the 2008 New Zealand National Championships in Hamilton New Zealand must complete the Selection Trial Nomination Form. Please click here to download this form from the RG website.

The completed nomination form must be emailed or faxed (03 9830 4788) to the National Program Manager - Karon Williams at kwilliams@gymnastics.org.au by Friday 11th July 2008.

Failure to lodge the entry form by the due date will result in the gymnast not being permitted to trial for a position on the 2008 Australian RG Levels Tour. Entry into the Selection Trial does not constitute automatic entry into the National Championships. Gymnasts must still be nominated separately by their State Association into the National Championships.

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS - 2008 NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
The RG National Clubs Championships will be held on the 2-4th October 2008 at the Melbourne Girls College in Richmond. The Aussie All Stars event will be held prior to the Championships on the 30th September - 1st October 2008. Gymnastics Victoria will be hosting the event and all enquiries should be directed to the GV Events Director, Lauren Killip on (03) 9214 6020 Ext 201 or email events@gymnasticsvictoria.org.au

GENERAL GYMNASTICS - FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP DISPLAY CHOREOGRAPHY SKILLS: 7TH - 9TH NOVEMBER
The General Gymnastics SMC is pleased to present a Choreography Workshop for coaches creating Gymnastic Displays. The workshop will cater to experienced and beginner coaches Workshop highlights include:

• Practical sessions with Debra Iris Batton, Artistic Director of Legs On The Wall, Physical Theatre Company, Sydney
• Step out of the gym and into the Red Box Performance Space
• Share ideas and experiences with like-minded coaches from around Australia
• Learn more about the journey to the World Gymnaestrada and FIG Display Contest
• Special offer for clubs who have previously attended a World Gymnaestrada

Please click here for more information.

CHEERLEADING - ENTRY TO THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENS UP TO ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAMS
Please be advised that the eligibility requirements for entering Gymnastics Australia's cheerleading events has been amended.

The Australian Cheerleading Championships is open to all teams from Australia.

The Australian Scholastic Cheerleading Championships is open to all Australian primary, secondary or tertiary institutions (all team members must attend the same institution).

Please check the Competition Handbook for the updated eligibility requirements.

SPORT AEROBICS - LEVEL 3 JUDGES COURSE
Gymnastics Australia has partnered with the National Sport Aerobics SMC to trial on-line course entry as part of its IT Plan. G-Course will see a sample of current technical members being provided with an opportunity to register on-line to attend forthcoming judging courses.

G-Course forms part of Gymnastics Australia's IT Plan and continues the work already undertaken in the G-Renew project (on-line Technical Membership renewal) and G-Transact pilot project (currently in progress with GNSW and GV).

If you are interested in attending this course please click here for the relevant information.

TRAMPOLINE SPORTS - WORLD CUP FRANCE
Scott Brown and Ben Wilden completed their World Cup series tour with the France World Cup. In Individual Trampoline Scott finished 11th with a score of 68.4, while Ben finished 28th with a score of 63.9. The Mens event was won by Dong Dong of China with a score of 71.6. Despite great form in the Synchronised events over the past two years, Scott and Ben failed to make the final, which was won by Masaki Ito and Manabu Yamaguchi of Japan with a score of 51.0. Detailed results can be found on the Acrobatic Sports website.

SPORTS ACROBATICS - WORLD CUP OF FRANCE
While official results of the finals have not yet been posted, the Sports Acrobatics team have competed well in the preliminaries of the France World Cup. The Womens Group of Eliza Hui, Bianca Ilacqua and Lisa Jones placing 9th in the preliminaries with a score of 27.18, while the Mixed Pair of Felicity Munton and Glen Wimberley placed 6th in the preliminaries with a score of 26.67. An excellent performance by all. Final results will be posted in the next Latest News. Detailed results can be found on the Acrobatic Sports website.

ARCHIVED NEWS
2008
Week ending 25th May 2008
Week ending 18th May 2008
Week ending 11th May 2008
Week ending 4th May 2008
Week ending 27th April 2008
Week ending 20th April 2008
Week ending 13th April 2008
Week ending 6th April 2008
Week ending 30th March 2008
Week ending 23rd March 2008
Week ending 16th March 2008
Week ending 9th March 2008
Week ending 2nd March 2008
Week ending 24th February 2008
Week ending 17th February 2008
Week ending 4th February 2008
Week ending 27th January 2008

Gymnastics Australia acknowledges the ongoing financial support of the Australian Sports Commission
in the delivery of a "whole of sport" approach to gymnastic related services and benefits.

This email communication has been forwarded to you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If you wish to unsubscribe from the Gymnastics Australia Latest News mailing list, please send us a return email (from the address which you wish to have removed or listing the email address which you wish to have removed) from our mailing list.