© Copyright 2007. Gymnastics Australia
 
 
 

Updated 12th May 2008

WATCH THE ACTION FROM THE OLYMPIC SELECTION TRIALS AND 2008 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ON DEMAND
Gymnastics Australia is pleased to announce a first for their members and supporters around Australia - they will be streaming "on demand", the 2008 Olympic Trials and Australian Championships taking place in Melbourne from Thursday 22nd of May to Sunday the 25th May 2008.

Gymnastics fans across Australia and all over the world will be able to view Australia's best gymnasts as they strive for Olympic selection in four action packed days at the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne.

Olympic commentator Liz Chetkovich will team up with Dan Ryan to spearhead the coverage and no doubt get in some practice for the forthcoming Olympic Games commentary.

" Through this medium, we are delighted that we can reach our members and supporters who cannot be in Melbourne during the actual event. Finally we can showcase our most talented athletes to all of Australia and bring their awesome skills right into the homes of the gymnastics community "

The event will be streamed on demand as follows:

Thursday 22nd May:
Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Senior and Junior Team Event
Broadcast time - EST 7.30pm

Saturday 24th May:
Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Senior and Junior All Around and Apparatus Finals
Broadcast time - EST 10.30am

Sunday 25th May:
Men's Artistic and Women's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG and (WAG) National Apparatus Challenge Broadcast time - EST 7.30 pm

SPECIAL "EARLY BIRD" OFFER
For Gymnastics community members who subscribe early to the streaming of 2008 Olympic Trials, we have two FANTASTIC OFFERS:

CLUB OFFER:
Any Club that has 10 or more subscribers receives any My Heroes product to the Value of $50.

INDIVIDUAL OFFER:
Subscribe before Thursday May 15, 2008, and receive a 20% discount, on the pay per view price.

EARLY BIRD COST:
Gold (3 Days) = Early bird rate = $13.50 ($AUD)
Silver (Day 1 + 3) = Early bird rate = $10.35 ($AUD)
Silver (Day 2 + 3) = Early bird rate = $10.35 ($AUD)
Silver (Day 1 + 2) = Early bird rate = $10.35 ($AUD)
Bronze (Day 1) = Early bird rate = $6.35 ($AUD)
Bronze (Day 2) = Early bird rate = $6.35 ($AUD)
Bronze (Day 3) = Early bird rate = $6.35 ($AUD)

PAYMENT:
By Mastercard or VISA.

GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES MYHEREOES SITE
Gymnastics Australia is pleased to announce the launch of MyHeroes. The MyHeroes concept is simple - to connect gymnastics fans with their heroes through personalised messages and merchandise.

Through a range of innovative and appealing products, available from the myheroes.com.au website, fans are able to show their support for our favourite Aussie gymnastics stars.

The following Aussie stars are involved in the launch of this great new opportunity:

Prashanth Sellathurai, Philippe Rizzo, Josh Jefferis and Sam Simpson from Men's Artistic;
Dasha Joura, Lauren Mitchell, Ashleigh Brennan and Shona Morgan from Women's Artistic;
Naazmi Johnston from Rhythmic Gymnastics; & Ben Wilden and Scott Brown from Trampoline Sports.

Every gymnastics fan in the country, and indeed around the world, can support these favourite Aussie gymnastics stars by purchasing products from the myheroes.com.au website.

These products can be used by Coaches and Clubs as incentives, awards and special recognition for athletes training in their programs, all accessed simply at myheroes.com.au.

Parents and family Members can also purchase products from the myheroes.com.au range and provide these on special occasions, birthdays, exams or for competition results to inspire, reward and show appreciation for the athlete's hard work and dedication to the sport.

In further news, Gymnastics Australia is also pleased to present affiliated gymnastics Clubs with a great fundraising opportunity in conjunction with myheroes.com.au.

Gymnastics Australia believes that the key to the success of myheroes.com.au is in working with the gymnastics community to help spread the message. As such, 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. Gymnastics Australia will be contacting all affiliated Clubs by separate contact to provide more details about this special fundraising opportunity and provide some hints as to how this can be promoted within your Club.

OLYMPIC SELECTION TRIALS AND 2008 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2008 edition of the Championships will be held from May 22-25 at Vodafone Arena. This years championships will include the Olympic Selection trial for Women's Artistic and a special National Apparatus Challenge on Sunday 25th May.

The National Apparatus Challenge will see the very best Australian artistic gymnasts compete for
apparatus supremacy and prize money. This is a wonderful opportunity for members and gymnastics fans to see Australia's best in action.

Australian gymnasts, Phil Rizzo, Prashanth Sellathurai, Dasha Joura, Lauren Mitchell, Ashleigh
Brennan and Sam Simpson are just some of the gymnasts that will be competing in the National Apparatus Challenge.

As always the Australian Championships will offer a feast of gymnastics action including:-

WAG Olympic Trial (Women’s Team event) on May 22 @ 12:00noon
WAG Olympic Trial (Women’s All-Around and Apparatus Finals) on May 23 @ 7.00pm

For a detailed competition schedule and additional event information please click here.

Tickets Available from Ticketek (from April 8th):-
Adults: $22.00
Concession $12 (incl children 4-16 years, students and pensioners
Family: $56.00 (2 adults and 2 children)

Please order your tickets through Ticketek or 132 849.

Notes:
- Children under 4 years will be admitted free of charge
- All sessions will be ticketed as General Seating
- For a seating map, please click here

SPORTS SCIENCE FORUM - PREVENTING ELBOW INJURY IN GYMNASTICS
Gymnastics Australia in conjunction with the Sports Science and Sports medicine Committee will be hosting a Sport Science and Medicine Forum in conjunction with the forthcoming Australian Championships.

Date: Wed 21st May 2008
Time: 7.30 for 8pm start
Venue: Vodafone Arena (Western Lounge)
Cost: Free of charge
RSVP: To mcurrie@gymnastics.org.au

This annual forum is directed towards sports science and medical professionals along with gymnastics coaches. It is a free session, supported by Gymnastics Australia with the aim of injury prevention. We welcome all members and interested professionals and look forward to seeing you on the night. Don't forget to register early.

Presenter:
Dr Don McIntosh - Dr Don coordinated gymnastics medical services for the 2000 Olympics, 2005 Melbourne World Championships and 2006 Commonwealth Games and is a member of the FIG medical commission.
Topic: Elbow injury, conservative and surgical management, research and future directions.

Presenter:
Fiona Sutherland - Fiona is a sports dietitian who specialises in Eating Disorders and Eating Behaviour. Fiona has a special interest in gymnastics and works closely with Gymnastics Victoria. Topic: Nutrition for bone health, bone age delay and injury.

Presenter:
Dr Liz Bradshaw - Liz is an eminent researcher and educator from Australian Catholic University who has a research interest in gymnastics. Liz has a PhD in biomechanics and motor control along with human movement and teaching degrees.
Topics: Biomechanics of elbow injury in gymnastics. Directions for current and future research.

Presenter:
Dr Kathy Yu - Dr Yu has provided medical support to Gymnastics for many years. She currently coordinates medical services for MAG athletes in Victoria and is a consultant physician for the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).
Topic: Pommel arm and elbow injury in Men's Artistic Gymnastics.

Presenter:
Phil Cossens - APA Sports Physiotherapist, is an ex gymnast, gymnastics coach and physio to the Australian MAG team.
Topic: Conservative rehabilitation from elbow injury and injury prevention through technique, strength and control.

Panel discussion:
All 5 presenters will be available for discussion regarding elbow injury in gymnastics.

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.

OLYMPIC DRAW
The Olympic draw was conducted last week. Please see the two documents below for a summary of Australian competition times and an overall summary of the draw.

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION TIMES

SUB-DIVISION COMPETITION TIMES

MEN'S ARTISTIC - TECHNICAL BULLETIN
The 01/2008 edition of the MAG Technical Bulletin can be downloaded from the Gymnastics Australia website located under MAG Technical Information - Technical Bulletins.

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 - SIMS SAYS FAREWELL (MEDIA RELEASE)
Commonwealth Games all-around gold medallist Chloe Sims (QAS/AIS) has announced her retirement from international gymnastics.

One of Australia’s leading gymnasts, the Queenslander suffered a series of injuries over the past twelve months, however had been working hard to regain her fitness and form in a last ditch effort to make the team for Beijing.

However this week, the 17-year-old came to the realisation that her attempt was in vain. Succumbing to her injuries, Sims made the difficult decision to stand down from Olympic contention and retire from gymnastics after 13 years in the sport.

Aside from her Commonwealth Games all-around gold in Melbourne in 2006, Sims also collected team gold, and was a member of the team that secured a spot in the Olympic Games at last year’s world championships in Germany.

Although Sims’ withdrawal is a disappointment for Australia’s Olympic campaign, Australian women’s head coach Peggy Liddick believes the team has the strength and depth to cover Sims’ absence.

“Chloe’s decision has taken a lot of courage this close to the Games, as it has always been her dream to compete at the Olympic Games,” explained Liddick.

“Obviously at this stage of our Olympic preparations, to lose someone of Chloe’s calibre and experience is disappointing, but that is the nature of the sport.

“However, Chloe’s retirement means that the door is now open for other girls to step up and challenge for one of the six positions on offer in the Beijing team.

“We have a strong group with great depth, and we’re looking forward to next week’s nationals and Olympic trials at Vodafone Arena.”

The Olympic women’s artistic selection trials will be held in conjunction with the 2008 Australian Artistic Gymnastics Championships at Vodafone Arena from Thursday, 22 May to Saturday, 24 May 2008.

Thursday, 22 May - 12:00pm (Women’s team event)

Friday, 23 May - 7.00pm (Women’s All-Around and Apparatus Finals)

The four-day gymnastics showcase will also feature a special National Apparatus Challenge, where fans will be treated to a high-flying display by the nation’s most talented gymnasts competing for apparatus supremacy and prize money on Sunday, 25 May 2008.

End of Release

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - MEDIA EXPOSURE FOR EMMA DENNIS
Congratulations to Emma Dennis for her recent media coverage. To view the feature please click here.

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 - NEW ISSUE OF THE GG GRAPEVINE OUT NOW
The General Gymnastics SMC have released the latest issue of the GG Grapevine. Please click here to view the latest issue.

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 - JAPAN WORLD CUP
Congratulations to Ben Wilden and Scott Brown, who have just completed competition in the Japan World Cup in Osaka. Scott combined an excellent 1st and 2nd Voluntary to place 6th after the preliminaries and gain a place in the Finals, finishing in 8th place. Ben performed his 2nd Voluntary well, but was let down by his 1st Voluntary and placed 24th. In Synchronised, Ben and Scott were placed 3rd leading into the Finals, finishing in 6th place. The team now head to the France World Cup.

SPORTS ACROBATICS - 2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
While definite information regarding the 2008 World Championships and World Age Group Competition is yet to be received by Gymnastics Australia, the latest minutes from the FIG indicate that the event will be held in Glasgow, UK, with the Championships being held 12th – 19th October. The Age Competition is expected to follow on in the next week.

Expression of Interest Forms for the 2008 World Championships and World Age Group Competition are available by clicking here. Forms are to be returned to Gymnastics Australia by the 13th June 2008.

The National SMC has, in conjunction with Gymnastics NSW, nominated the NSW National and International Stream State Trial at Tara Anglican School on the 28/29 June, as Selection Trial #1. Please see the GNSW website, for the Event Entry for the World Trial.

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