Trio excited to help get party off to flying start

THEY are three little ladies who could be the future of Australian gymnastics.

Champion Queensland rhythmic gymnasts Ainsley Barker, 14, Ivanna Carrasco, 12, and Lara Hadzivukovic, 12, have been invited to perform at the Longines Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Party today.

Their routine will take place at the Longines Records Club, a luxury beachfront building in Broadbeach touted to be the VIP hot spot during the Games.

The trio will perform in front of national entertainment and sports celebrities including Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Matt Shirvington, Barry Hall and Lauren Brant.

Ainsley said that even though nerves always came into play, the gymnasts tried not to let butterflies get the better of them.

“I’m a little bit nervous and a little bit excited,” she said.

“I just feel nervous because there’s going to be a lot of people watching if I make a mistake.

“I’m confident I know what to do, I’m confident I know the routine, but there’s always a worry I’ll mess it up.”

Ainsley said her dream was to compete at a future Commonwealth Games, but the next step would be the Australian Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne on May 21.

“After this I’m just going to keep training hard to the next competition so I can get the best result that I can at the nationals,” she said.