Twirling to the national stage
Sequined leotards? Check. Bun pins? Check. Sparkly clubs considered an offensive weapon by airport security? Check.
Ten rhythmic gymnasts are packed and ready for the national gymnastics championships starting tomorrow in Tauranga. It’s the Wellington region’s biggest contingent of rhythmic gymnasts in at least five years.
To qualify for nationals, the girls have twirled, flexed and balanced their way through regional competitions up and down the country. Only gymnasts who place in the top 20 in New Zealand for their level get the nod to attend nationals.
Wellington’s team has two girls performing at level seven, two at level 5ive, and six at level four. The level fours also qualified for the group competition with a hoop routine to Little Bitty Pretty One from the movie Matilda.
The Wellington rhythmic team members range in age from 12 to 16. Some came to the sport young. Others joined two or three years ago, with past experience in the likes of ballet, artistic gymnastics and netball.
The girls train hard – 12 to 15 hours each week – at Elements in Thorndon, the region’s only rhythmic gymnastics club.
As well as mastering split leaps, pivots, throws and all-important catches, gymnasts must also nail the art of performance.
Even at the end of a 31⁄2-hour training session, Mia Webb smiles her way through a high-energy freehand routine.
‘‘I need to enjoy myself with every routine, even during practice, because it affects how I look.’’
Judges take points off for dropped apparatus and unpointed toes and also look for flow and expression during routines.
‘‘I love my ball routine because the apparatus acts like an extension of my body. It feels so elegant and graceful,’’ said level seven gymnast Jessica Cunningham.
She started rhythmic gymnastics at age 7. It’s her second time competing at nationals.
Level five gymnast Tehya Wicomb is looking forward to performing her freehand routine: ‘‘I can express myself more in it.’’
Abi Steel, a level four gymnast, hopes for a repeat of her favourite coach’s comment: ‘‘Amazing! No drops, nice dance steps.’’ The girls are also warming up their vocal chords to loudly cheer each other on. Tehya particularly likes team-mate Phoebe Lush’s level seven clubs routine: ‘‘It has just the right amount of sassiness.’’
If any Wellingtonian girls are interested in trying out rhythmic gymnastics, check out the rhythmicgym.nz website to arrange a free trial.