Tackling nation’s best

FOR the first time in 15 years Tasmania will compete in the multiples (group rhythmic gymnastics) section at the National Clubs Carnival in Bendigo.

A small contingent of eight Hobart PCYC girls leave for the championships today, the first time the club has contested the club carnival.

Some gymnasts will participate individually in rhythmic levels five and eight, as well as in groups and trios in multiples across four different apparatuses including hoop, rope, ball and clubs.

The girls have only been preparing for the event for the past 13 weeks under the guidance of coach Nicola Oliver, who said rapid progress had already been made in such a short time.

“The decision was made in the middle of June that we should give it a go,” Oliver said.

“The girls had never seen multiples, so in basically 13 weeks we have put seven routines together and I’ve got three level-five girls competing their individuals and a level-eight girl competing individuals.

“For us this is the beginning . . . we elected to only take eight girls away with us and from that eight we hope to at least double it next year.

“I’ve sent some videos to judges on the mainland to try and get extra feedback and they are really impressed with the standard.”

Oliver said the carnival will be a big learning curve for her group, but is hopeful it can help fast-track their development.

“We don’t have the facilities, we don’t have a full floor to train on, so we only have four mats we can train on, which is half the size of a normal floor,” she said.

“We have lots of obstacles but we will give it our best shot.”