Tawa gymnasts make the grade
Practising 16 hours a week has paid off for seven young Tawa gymnasts.
It’s the first year all seven Twisters have been chosen to represent Wellington in the national gymsports championships.
Head coach Cat Diamond said being chosen for the nationals in Auckland next month was a big success for the girls, who are aged between 10 and 15.
‘‘We’ve never had 100 per cent of our girls chosen before,’’ she said. ‘‘The girls train between 12 and 16 hours a week, so it’s total dedication on their part. It’s like their home away from home.’’
Being chosen came after a successful season between May and September.
‘‘ It’s down to consistency of coaching, attitude to training and belief in themselves,’’ Diamond said.
The girls, who train at the Big Air gym in Tawa, make up nearly half the 16 Wellington gymnasts chosen.
Adventure School pupil Elen Thomas, 12, made it to nationals for the first time last year, and said they wanted to bring home some medals.
‘‘We don’t want to stop and we keep getting better,’’ she said.
Elen followed her sister into the sport six year ago.
‘‘I like the leotards and I like getting better ... ’’
The championships take place from October 7 till 11.