2010 Tumbling GCA Report - 15/10/10

The GCA Tumbling competition was the first of its kind this year in 2010 and a big success. Running alongside the WG competition the tumbling events were held Saturday 2^nd October. Considering the competition clashed with both Trampoline Nationals and Country Championships the turnout was brilliant with a total of 47 entries for the tumbling event.

The morning started out with the 4’s and 5’s (male and female). With 5 females and 1 male they were combined to compete (but still judged separately!). The girls had a very close competition, with Holly Ovenden our current State Champion the pressure was on for her to perform. And she did just that by competing two very simple but stylish routines. Holly was scored 8.8/8.9’s technically which after adding difficulty gave her a finishing total of 55.5. Extremely close behind was our Level 5 WG gymnast Imogen Simonik, her third tumbling competition and the experience paid off. Imogen performed two routines, a little higher in difficulty but slightly untidy which scored her 8.7’s for technical, leaving her 0.1 behind 1^st place! In 3^rd place was Anastassia Kouexnko from KSTP. Well done to the girls from NBG who dominated the platform! The boy’s competition saw Ethan McGuiness from KSTTP please the crowd with his cheekiness and try some new tumbles and he took the level 4 trophy.

In the level 5 girls we had 2 NBG competitors out of the 5 in total. Emily Chalmers who participated in National Clubs this year just missing out on the finals had her time to shine on the tumble track. She performed flowing routines giving her mid to high 8’s on technical and high difficulty totalling 55.3 overall leaving her with the silver medal. Megan Lutze was just 0.2 behind Emily taking the bronze after performing a beautiful second routine giving her the highest technical scores of the round. 1^st, 4^th and 5^th place were taken by tumblers from KSTP. Well done to the girls for gaining another 2 medals for the team score.

Up next was the level 6/7/8/9/10’s, all combined again but competing separately. There were (again) 5 female tumblers in the level 6 division, Alexa Collins and Lisa Bushnell both representing NBG. The competition standard was rising with Olivia Gillott representing New Zealand and 2 tumblers from KSTP. Lisa and Alexa both trying new tumbles unfortunately fell leaving them finishing 4^th and 5^th. They kept their spirits high ready for the Age Competition later in the day. The level 6 boy’s took John Bushnell to the track for his first competition, a very relaxed John put smiles on everyone’s faces and he performed solid tumbles placing him 2^nd place behind Ryan Baulkin from KSTP. The level 7 girls brought a head to head competition between Amy Smit (NBG) and Rylee Stokes (BTYC Victoria). Amy performed her double tuck somersault but took a huge run after!! This gave her low technical marks and a score of just 27.30. She bounced back to perform a very tidy second tumble scoring 28.4 leaving her with an overall total of 55.7. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to take the title; Rylee scored 57.2 giving her the level 7 trophy and Amy the silver. With no level 7 boys it was straight to the level 8’s; with our very own head coach Yusuf Topari taking on Brain Armstrong from Counties Manakua, New Zealand. It was tense on the competition floor as both of the boys were competing high difficulty and double somersaults. Yusuf competed a clean first tumble with high execution marks giving him a score of 29.8. Brian was up and performed a harder tumble, with 4.2 difficulty his technical marks just weren’t enough and he scored 28.8. A whole mark in the lead Yusuf stepped up for his second pass, with only average technical marks and 3.2 difficulty he scored 28.0, giving him a total of 57.80. The pressure was on Brian and he performed magnificently, a tumble full of height and power he scored 30.90 which was enough to take the title. Yusuf finished with silver.

It was from the highs to the lows with the level 1, 2 and 3 boys and girls up next. We had 2 representatives from NBG in the level ones, Hannako Greuter and Bijou Ziemer and also in level 1 was Elise Ginger from KSTP. Hannako performed a beautiful first pass scoring 27.4, the highest score of the round. Bijou, a little nervous in her first tumbling competition did a fantastic routine scoring 26.1. With all tumbles completed it was a close competition, Elise (from KSTP) took the gold with 53.7, very close behind in 2^nd was Hannako with 53.5 and Bijou 3^rd with 51.8.

With no level 1 boys we skipped straight to the level 2 girls. With 6 competitors and only 1 NBG representative KSTP were dominating the round! Sophie Wilson (KSTP) took the title followed by 2^nd/3^rd/4^th/5^th places also given to KSTP. In 6^th place was Mikaylee Pope, unfortunately forgetting one of her tumbles she was marked down a little but bounced back to perform a lovely second pass scoring 25.3.

The level 2 boys had just 2 competitors from KSTP, both performed neat and tidy tumbles giving Lachlan Keliam the title and Eddie Baulkin the silver.

Onto the level 3 girls and we had 7 competitors, 5 NBG and 2 KSTP. It was a battle for the level 3 title and with our State Champion Lucy Redfern, expectations were high! With two tumbles to perform and a white line to stay on the girls were nervous! Lucy stepped up to the mark and took the gold scoring 53.5 overall. Closely behind was Maddie Binding (NBG), after not making the competition at state due to nerves she competed fantastically, performing 2 great tumbles she was awarded with second place. 3^rd on the podium was Alisha Brown, also from NBG, being her first tumbling competition Alisha went brilliantly and finished with 52.2. Closely behind with 51.9 was a tie between NBG’s Lucy Tompson and Olivia Massi. And 6^th and 7^th was awarded to Olivia Battle (KSTP) and Taylah Cauchi (KSTP). The girls dominated level 3 and a BIG well done to them.

With the levels over it was onto the age event. Up first we had the U11 girls; Imogen Simonik (NBG) took the title after performing two tidy passes with steady landings. Behind by 0.3 with a total of 54.4 was Hayley Usher (KSTP).    

The U13 girls brought Holly Ovenden to the track, up against some level 5 competitors it was a tough competition, Holly performed two very stylish tumbles which landed her in 3^rd place scoring 55.50 overall.

The U15’s event was a tough round, with competitors from KSTP, NBG, BTYC (Victoria) and Counties Manakua (NZ) it was a fight for the win! Olivia Gillot from New Zealand took the victory scoring 58.0. Closely behind with 57.30 was Krista Johnston (KSTP) and 3^rd place went to Rylee Stokes (BTYC). Megan Lutze (NBG) was tied 4^th after competing her full twist, taking a huge leap back on landing!!!

The U17’s brought a real head to head challenge, with Amy Smit and Lisa Bushnell both competing their double back somersaults and same second pass and Alexa Collins also with high difficulty. Lisa stepped up and performed an amazing tumble with a high double back somersault to finish, with style and elegance she scored 29.80. Amy was up next and with the pressure on also performed her double back somersault, landing within the lines she scored 29.0. Alexa put up a fight and performed her double twist, landing almost perfectly she wasn’t far behind scoring 28.80. Up next was Emily Chalmers, with a very clean tumble she scored 28.40. With the title in sight it was time for their second pass. Lisa with a simple but tidy tumble scored 28.10 giving her an overall total of 57.90. Amy put up a good fight also performing a clean tidy tumble scoring 28.80 which gave her an overall total of 57.80 just 0.1 behind Lisa! Alexa was determined to stick both tumbles, going with simple but stylish she scored 28.70, very consistent tumbling. She ended with an overall score of 57.50 giving her the bronze. Emily a little further behind with 56.10 after a slightly untidy second pass finished in 4^th.

A big well done to all the girls and thank you to all the parents who got involved and supported the GCA competition. It was a great success and we look forwards to hosting tumbling again. The girls are now in full training learning new skills for next year’s season!

GCA Camp Report 2010
Prior to the GCA Competition this year we held a 3 day tumbling camp to bring together tumblers from Australia wide. It gives the kids the opportunity to experience different types of training and coaching and gain further knowledge about the sport. Included in the camp was kayaking, beach fitness, tumbling outdoors and strength and tumbling sessions in the gym. With 30 tumblers participating daily and staying near by the camp was a booming success, the kids had a fantastic time and the coaches thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We had clubs from NSW, VICTORIA and NEW ZEALAND. We are looking to hold another Tumbling camp over the summer period (Mid-Late January), again including outdoor activities, training twice daily in the gym and sleepovers. If you are interested in participating please contact samp@nbg.com.au
The camp is aimed at level 4 and upwards, splitting into groups the tumblers rotate between the tumbling track, long trampoline and yellow trampolines.

Sam Palmer

Tumbling Program Manager