About Mens Competitive Gymnastics

Northern Beaches Gymnastics have been producing champion gymnasts that have gone on to reach NSW and Australian teams, for the last 20 years.  Our unrivaled program is due to the commitment and vision of our experienced and ambitious men's coaching staff.  Competitive gymnastics consists of utilising all 6 pieces of equipment involved with men's gymnastics. These are the floor, pommel, Rings, Vault, P Bar and the High bar.  It takes a special type of gymnast that possesses the right qualities to be a successful including flexibility, strength and mental toughness. NBG offers a great flow from fundamental based gymnastics through to the elite side of the sport. We start with our Mighty Wreckers program which offers a great start for the boys offering them the fun and excitement of learning and participation, while keeping them on track for specified requirements and goals.  Our junior development and junior squads takes the next step.  With focus being towards competitions, training becomes more focused towards the learning objectives to compete within the National program.  At the top of the spectrum we have our senior squad. These boys train towards goals of competing at National championships and qualifying them selves for the Australian national team.

Mens National Championships Report

2011 Australian National Championships

In 2011 we had 11 athletes representing Northern Beaches Gymnastics, at the Men’s and Women’s Australian National Championships.  With the 7 girls headed to Perth and the 4 boys to Canberra, it was going to be a showcase of their dedication and hard work that they had persevered through in 2011.

In Canberra Day 1 competition was exciting for all the boys, with them arriving at least 3 days before competition started, it was a culmination of built up nerves and readiness.   Jordan Papandrea got the competition off in level 8, with a solid overall performance in general, but one that he knew he would have to lift if he wanted to vie for any medal contention.  Having one of the most exciting pommel routines being done at the National Championships, and a line many coaches and judges appreciated he needed to be more confident in his performance in day 2.  The baby of the squad, and at his first National Championships, Alec Traina competed like he was so use to this pressure, and excitement.   In the level 6 division he put in amazing performance on all events, and managed to squeeze into 5^th position after night one, out of a field of 50.  It would come down to a day 2 showing of no mistakes, as with such a tight level, the littlest error would be the difference between 1^st and 6^th.  Jae and Joel were last to compete round 1 in the level 7 division both looked strong and nailed the first two rotations.  Coming to floor Jae has placed him in a position for a leading position after day one, but injury struck with a knee injury occurring on the first tumbling pass, fracturing his growth plate in his knee, and unfortunately bringing to an end his National Championships.  Like a true champion, he tried to continue but the pain was immense and too much.  Joel was left to fight it out in a tight battle, but putting in his strongest overall performance in nearly the entire time I have seen him compete, found himself in 6^th position after night 1, and the highest ranked NSW athlete, earning him the honour of competing against New Zealand in the day 2 trans-Tasman challenge.

Day 2 was going to be a battle of the fittest, and we did our selves proud.  Jordan showed the performance that would have garnered him a top 3 performance, nailing pommel and hitting his skills one after the other, ultimately finishing in 8^th position.  He knows his falls on high bar were ultimately what cost him, but he was rightfully crowned National pommel champion and runner up on floor.  He was also named onto the 2011 Open levels Australian Team, to compete in New Zealand.

Alec put in a good effort for day two, hitting 5 out his 6 routines.  He performed one of the most flawless P bar routines of the competition, but got ahead of himself on his dismount and had to count a fall.  8^th position for his first national Championships he should be very proud of, and excited for the future.

Joel night two showed up just like he had finished night one, looking strong and confident.  Again his only error from the event was on P bar’s with a miss-timed hand placement knowing him out of the top 6.  Placing 5^th on floor and 3^rd of rings as well as being a member of the winning Australian team you could see the excitement on Joel’s face, and one he should be immensely proud of.

Stay Tuned for a recap of the WAG Australian National Championships and the 2011 Trampolining National Clubs Championships next…………………….

Yusuf Topari

Men’s Program Manager

MG Squad News Archive