Updated 7th July 2008

NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY TAKES CHEERLEADING IN A NEW DIRECTION
Following a national conference in late 2007 involving club, state and national officials, Gymnastics Australia (GA) determined that a new direction for cheerleading in Australia be developed to take this fast growing and dynamic sport to a new level.

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Gymnastics Australia announces today the formation of the AUSTRALIAN CHEERLEADING UNION (ACU) as the official national governing body of cheerleading in Australia.

The ACU, open to all Australian event providers, has as its key objectives the coordination of a national event calendar, standardising rules and advancing coach and judge education for the safety of the sport.

Announcing the launch of the ACU today, Gymnastics Australia's CEO Jane Allen says, "This is the culmination of eight years of commitment to the development of cheerleading by many schools, clubs, state associations and dedicated coaches across Australia. We are indebted to everybody who has assisted us in the journey so far and believe the timing is now right to form a company dedicated to promoting and advancing the culture of the sport in Australia".

Cheerleading throughout the world is experiencing exciting growth, and the ACU looks forward to working with the International Cheerleading Union (ICU) to further develop cheerleading in the Oceania region.

ACU plans include an annual national and international event program, national camps and international tours that will excite cheerleading enthusiasts across the nation.

The ACU will continue to work with its partner, Gymnastics Australia, to provide competition opportunities to the many thousands of athletes with well developed gymnastic skills, who seek continued involvement in organised sport through their teenage years.

GA has also announced the appointment of Nerine Cooper as the full-time ACU Program Director to drive this new direction and is confident that the respect she has gained amongst event providers and teams will assist her to meet the exciting challenges ahead.

The ACU looks forward to advancing GA's initial discussions with industry leaders to encourage their involvement and commitment to the development of cheerleading in Australia.

Further information:
ACU Program Director: Nerine Cooper
Email: ncooper@gymnastics.org.au
Phone: 0412 581 501

DOWNLOAD - OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE

NEW STARS SET TO RISE AT THE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Best wishes to all athletes, coaches and officials poised to take part in the 2008 national Championships in Brisbane. The event will get underway on Wednesday 9th and conclude on Saturday 12th July. You can keep up to date with all the event news and results by clicking here.

RELATED MEDIA ARTICLES:-

Savill leaps for shot at more glory - The Chronicle Monday July 7th

GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA'S SPORT CONNECT PROGRAM RECEIVES A BOOST
Australian administrators of one of the world’s oldest sports are poised to use their own information technology revolution to improve services for people with disabilities.

With support from the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Disability Sport unit, Gymnastics Australia has developed an online education package for administrators, coaches and judges that aims to build awareness of ways in which people with a disability can be included in the sport.

Read more...

GYMNASTICS WEEK 2008 - LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR CLUB HAS PLANNED
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. GymWeek 2008 will run from 8 - 24th August 2008.

Gymnastics Australia is keen to hear what your club has planned for Gymweek so why dont you drop us a line. Best wishes to the Broken Hill Gymnastics and Kindergym Club who have a great range of activities planned. You can read their list of activities planned from the GymWeek 2008 web site.

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 has prepared a range of resources available to download from a special web site. Please click the link above.

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

Start planning your displays and allocating time for GymWeek fun for every class.

MEN'S ARTISTIC - 2008 OPEN TOUR OFFICIALS APPLICATION FORM
The 2008 MAG Open Tour Officials' Application Form for the Team Manager, Coaches, Judges, Chaperones and Medical Personnel positions can be downloaded form the GA MAG website. Please click here to download the form.

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 - 2008 OLYMPIC TEAM
Whilst the WAG Team remains training at the AIS in Canberra, media articles have surfaced on the exploits of the team in the lead up to the Games:-

Aussies sets sights on bronze - Herald Sun - July 1st
Artful gymnasts look to bronze age at Beijing Olympics - Herald Sun - July 1st
Australia nominates Beijing gymnastics team - Radio National - June 30th
High hopes for Aussie Olympic gymnasts - The Age - June 30th
Joura, Vivian and Mitchell in Beijing Gymnastics Team - Perth Now - June 30th
Olivia Vivian one of three from WA selected for Beijing Olympics - Fox Sports - June 30th
Dasha Joura leads Australia's gymnastics charge to Beijing Olympics - The Australian - June 30th

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 - SUB-JUNIOR AND NATIONAL LEVELS JUDGES COURSE
The WAG Sub-Junior and National Levels Judges courses are currently underway in Brisbane in the leadup to National Championships. Best wishes to all candidates.

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 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

GREAT FEEDBACK ON THE GYMMIX RESOURCE
The GymMIX resource continues to be put to good use in Clubs around Australia.

" We here at Northern Districts Gymnastics Club have been using the Gym Mix program for the last term (10 weeks). It has run extremely well and all the children that were involved have enjoyed it.
We had a last week of term today and the children made up a mini routine with the skills they have learnt in the last 10 weeks. We made the parents come in a watch their child's routine and we then presented all the kids with a certificate of the level they have passed. Most of the parents that have come in and watched have really really liked the idea of watching and the program itself.

I just thought I would pass this information on to you there at Gymnastics Australia to congratulate you all on a fantastic program and we cant wait to get the other levels."

TRAMPOLINE SPORTS - AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDE
Congratulations to all athletes, coaches and officials who took part in the 2008 Australian Championships in Bendigo (VIC). Please click here for a list of all results.

GYMNASTICS WA SEEKING TO APPOINT AN ELITE RG SENIOR COACH
The Rhythmic Gymnastics High Performance Centre of Western Australia is seeking expressions of interest from qualified RG coaches to fulfill a full time Senior Coaching position. The RGHPC WA is looking for a positive and enthusiastic coach to help drive our Elite RG Program.

RGHPC WA has relocated to a new purpose built RG facility in Leederville, Perth, Western Australia which is 10 minutes from the CBD.

Duties include:
- Assist the Head Coach to deliver the program for High Performance Gymnastics in keeping with the direction set by Gymnastics Australia
- Supervise and direct particular gymnasts as directed by the Head Coach
- Plan and implement a coaching program for the younger Elite gymnasts with objectives, including advancement of these athletes to the Junior and Senior international level.
- Oversee and provide direction for the Elite program.
- Assist in Gymnast selection for entrance into the Elite program
- Assist in the Talent Identification program
- Undertake administrative duties as directed for the Elite programs.
- Perform any other relevant tasks as set by the Head Coach
- Maintain professional development and accreditation/registration to Gymnastics Australia standard

Qualifications:
- Minimum Level 1 Coaching Qualification (or equivalent) - essential
- Experience working with Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts - essential
- Coordinator/Management/Planning Experience - desirable
- Current First Aid - desirable

Experience:
- Strong organisational and leadership skills
- A love of coaching young athletes
- Enthusiasm for the sport and the ability to promote gymnastics within the community.
- The ability to work with guidance from the Head Coach.
- Experience in dealing with young people, parents and other in the gymnastic community.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.

Salary:
Salary will be based on qualifications and experience.

Résumé:
Résumés will be kept in strict confidence and only applicants considered for interviews will be contacted. The RGHPC WA welcomes applications from suitability qualified International coaches.
Applications close 3rd August 2008.

Submit your resume with salary expectations in confidence to:

Allen Creighton
President
Rhythmic Gymnastics High Performance Centre of Western Australia Inc.
rg@hpcwa.org.au

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