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work they joined about 10,000 athletes in Orlando for the event. In their division alone, they faced 42 teams.
“They were initially glad to be there with the best in the world,” Sharon said before recalling a memorable semifinal defeat of the reigning silver medallist.
“It was inspiring to see them realise they were just as good as many of those teams. I don’t think they had realised that before.”
So good in fact that, come the final backflip, it was the ZOO Athletics Royals ranked eighth in the world.
“We’ve had many highs and lows in the 18 months since we decided to put a team together that was good enough to go to worlds,” said Sharon, whose squad ranged in age from 14 to 30.
“There were people who found it too hard or doubted themselves or the team. I think we’ve been through another 15 athletes.
“The biggest thing I take away from this moment is I had coachable kids. They wanted it. They had a dream.
“You’ve got to support them as much psychologically as with coaching skills and techniques, and they had the hunger and passion to be driven to be the best they could be.”