TERM 2 NEWSLETTER
2016
Featured left to right; Nathan Drabbe, Daniel Kay, Lachlan Walker, Ethan Carlile, Austen Armstrong,
Jordan Wysman, Thomas Mount-Stephens, Angus Laurie and Ben Dempsey
2015 OVERVIEW
Big thanks to everyone for making 2015 another great year.
We closed last year with a record 2391 members and nearly all programs at capacity with waiting lists.
Recognition for the past years efforts came in the way of a bagful of awards at the GNSW Annual Awards night
at Homebush in February.
Sharing a great night out. Coaches- Amelia Eadie, Toni Dyson, Heather Rath, Aaron Bruce and Rhys Keirle.
MWGC received awards for,
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NSW Men’s Gymnastics Club of the Year
Men’s Gymnastics Levels Coaching team of the Year
Men's Junior Development Coaching Team of the Year
Recognition for 3 International representatives
14 Individual, Coaching and International nominations
Winners of the NSW Men’s Gymnastics Grand Prix 2015
Recognition of over 2000 members for 2015
Over the course of the evening we were shown short videos of all the Clubs who had received nominations for
the Overall Club of the Year. The one thing that was really evident was the substantial progress of quite a few
clubs and the degree of increasing interest in all areas of gym sports.
NSW now has 191 registered clubs and overall participation is up. This is great news for our sport.
We didn’t win the big one this year, the winner of Overall Club of the Year was Castle Hill RSL. We congratulate
them for an amazing year and acknowledge their level of success. A significant part of the overall award is
recognition for the diversity of programs. We cannot compete in a few areas such as trampoline sports,
cheerleading and rhythmic gymnastics. Our main issue is the restriction we face with our roof height. Not only
does this limit us in growth, we simply can’t find anymore height for our senior gymnasts.
We have outgrown this facility and we must continue with plans for the next phase.
MWGC is about to enter the second 5 year lease period at Cromer (where did the first 5 years disappear to?)
and there’s no guarantee of us being here past 2021.
As you are aware we have submitted a serious bid for land adjacent to the Warringah Aquatic Centre and we
can only sit and wait with crossed fingers to hear the outcome. Council have suggested that the tenders may be
assessed and the findings presented to Council by their meeting in late May.
MWGC’s submission requires a dual commitment from both our Club and Council. It’s our hope that Council not
only acknowledges our 37 years off dedication to the residents of Warringah but also recognises the importance
of this facility and its benefit to the wider community.
The one thing we know about the Warringah Aquatic Centre proposal is there is no guarantee. The site does
have issues from an environmental perspective and we simply cannot afford to accept some of the risks that
come with the offer from Council.
The entire submission is available to all members.
In the meantime we will continue to look for any opportunities. As previously mentioned we are also working
on the possibility of space at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen.
We will notify the membership as soon as we know the outcome of both plans.
I’d like to thank everyone who had a part in the submission, in particular Claudia Bels (parent of Mathew in
MAG level 6, I cannot express my appreciation for all the advice and assistance over the past few months.
2015 was a year of changes.
MWGC sadly farewelled 9 coaches during the year who have all set off to pursue new opportunities, we
welcomed new staff and spent the second half of the year trying to satisfy the demand for coaching across all
our programs. I want to thank all our team for persisting and digging in when required, you have all once again
proven that anything is possible with the right attitude.
One difficulty all clubs face is the dire shortage of coaches. This issue is Nationwide. With the sport growing at
such a rate all clubs are struggling to meet demand. The pool of emerging coaches is reducing and all clubs must
work as a team to do everything we can to support the growth and education of retiring gymnasts. These young
people are the ones who have the skill and knowledge to become great assets to any club. It’s also a pretty
good working lifestyle.
People have asked me why we don’t hire from overseas. Martin and I are constantly advertising around the
globe but again, there are just not a massive number of well qualified or experienced candidates and the cost
and restrictions of employment related immigration also makes it an incredibly difficult process. There are
continuing discussions with Gymnastics Australia and Gymnastics NSW on new ideas to build numbers in the
next generation of coaches.
To finance the purchase of new equipment and support the development of our community programs, we have
made applications for several grants;
Dee Why RSL Category 3 New JF competition floor
NSW State Government Replacement of aging equipment
Dee Why RSL Category 1 Community grant for disability gymnastics
The Board of Directors are constantly looking for areas of support, if you know anyone that may be interested
in helping as a sponsor or provider please contact me at the Club on 9972 9222.
All the best,
Ian Hardy.
THE RETIREMENT OF A LEGEND
Neville Marsh
Club Founder and Life Member, 37 years of service.
In 1979 Neville and his beautiful wife Sue decided to start a gymnastics club. They found a small hall in Frenchs
Forest and for each class they set up, packed down and cared for a membership of 6. Their simple dream was to
create an opportunity for children to enjoy the sport he loved, gymnastics.
37 years later this club now provides services to more than 200 000 visitors each year.
Neville and Sue are the heart of MWGC. They have fought their way through disasters and a full loss due to fire
and have always remained determined and dedicated to MWGC and its members.
Neville has had a few health issues and has chosen to resign from the Board. He has also (his true determined
style) let us know he will be closely watching our progress and keeping us all on the right path!
On behalf of every member who has been through this Club over all those years, THANKS NEVILLE!
We wish you both all the health and happiness for many years to come.
FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of MWGC currently consists of 3 parents of MWGC gymnasts (Melinda Stewart
(Chair), Soren Breth (Treasurer), Donalda Brown (Secretary), and our CEO Ian Hardy and General Manager
and Head of Coaching, Martin Shields. We are all passionate about helping our Club be the best it can, as
have previous Board members and volunteers. But we need more help and are seeking Board nominations
for two positions.
Our goal to create an amazing new facility for our gymnasts and the growing nature of our Club mean we
need more skilled, willing and enthusiastic participants to join the Board to ensure we are providing the
right governance and oversight of the Club. Particular skills that are valuable to MWGC are marketing,
fundraising and legal qualifications. But we welcome other skills and experience, and the ability to perform
a backflip is not essential!
As a community-owned not-for-profit club, we rely on the assistance of volunteers from our membership
to add additional services and skills that we cannot afford to hire through employment. If you or someone
you can recommend are keen to join the Board of Directors at MWGC, please let one of us know and we’d
be very happy to discuss the requirements of the honorary positions further.
MWGC held the annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday 28th April at the Dee Why RSL. It was an
evening to reflect on the performance and achievements of MWGC in 2015, and we recognised the
progress we are making as a team. Despite low attendance from our members, we were able to provide
updates on the Warringah Aquatic Centre plans and the financial accounts. We thank all members who
attended the AGM.
We congratulate Ian Hardy, our CEO, for becoming a life member of MWGC (nominated by Neville and Sue
Marsh) and for extending his contract for a further term of 3 years. The Board of Directors and members in
attendance at the AGM have confidence in Ian to lead the Club and ensure we move towards a new facility
during his next term as CEO. Fortunately we don’t have the US President’s rule of our CEO needing to
retire after 2 terms so we hope Ian will be involved with MWGC for many years to come!
I’m excited about what lies ahead for MWGC in the remainder of 2016. I wish all of our gymnasts travelling
to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Championships or to Queensland for the Border Challenge the
very best of luck.
Melinda Stewart
IN THE COMMUNITY
We would like to send thanks to Melinda Stewart (WAG IL , NL and Rec parent and MWGC Board Director)
and the Lendlease Group for their contribution and funding grant to support our disability programs. The
much needed funds will also be used to create new opportunities for the services offered to special needs and
Veterans support.
Thanks also go to Dee Why RSL for their continuing support of not only the entire club but also for working
with us in developing both the disability and Veterans programs. During term 3 2015 we opened the doors of
the gym to a small group of returning soldiers, we offered use of our facilities to help with their rehabilitation
and from the response the program was well received. This was all done with help from the RSL and we hope
to establish an ongoing program. MWGC has applied for another specific grant to provide funding to this
sector.
GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE A NEW PROGRAM
Gymnastics Australia has chosen Manly Warringah as the host club for the first coaching clinic for the new
FREE G program. The course to be held on the 15th of May will see 4 MWGC coaches join with other visiting
coaches to establish an accreditation platform that is able to deliver the new program throughout clubs in
NSW.
During 2015 we offered our facility to the pilot program and hosted development workshops. Clubs from
all over NSW attended several sessions that were designed to brainstorm ideas that would customise the
UK born program to better suit Australia’s needs. We heard from coaches and members of clubs who had
developed their own programs and we discussed their successes and failures. It was evident that that
quite a few clubs saw the benefits of offering a Parkour and Freerunning based program.
Although MWGC’s Freestyle program is realising decent numbers, we are hoping the new levels system
will encourage more of the young crew to participate and compete.
We understand that the FREE G program may be officially launched and showcased during the Australian
Championships this year.
NEWS FROM THE GYM FLOOR
IL UPDATE
2016 has been a great year, we are all really proud of the way all the gymnasts have performed. All squads
have put in a huge effort and results are improving throughout the entire club. The coaches are really busy
with the next run of competitions and we wish everyone good luck.
WAG IL Comp Results:
IL8:
Lucy Stewart,
1st AA, Vault 2nd, 2nd Bars, 1st Beam, 2nd Floor
Olivia Heckman, 2nd AA, 1st Vault, 1st Bars, 2nd Beam, 3rd Floor
Lara McMicking, 3rd Vault
Junior:
Sophie Stuart,
3rd AA, 2nd Vault, 3rd Bars, 1st Floor
Senior:
Desnee Richter, 2nd AA, 2nd Vault, 2nd Bars, 2nd Beam, 2nd Floor
5 girls qualified to Australian National Championships (Lucy, Olivia, Lara, Sophie and Desnee)
Jojo.
*Featured are Desnee Richter, Isabelle Cameron, Sophie Stuart, Lara McMicking, Lucy Stewart, Nichola Panos,
Chloe Trisic, Ilsa Trisic, Olivia Heckman and Aimee Faulkner.
TUMBLING NEWS
The tumbling and trampoline program started this year really well with almost every class reaching full
capacity. The recreational part of the program is constantly growing bigger and better every term with
some really talented kids coming through now, and we are looking for some young tumblers to be part of
our next competitive tumbling team that we are hoping to put together in term 3.
As for the competitive side of the program, it’s been a busy start to the year with our team competing in
the State Trails and State Championships, with some great results throughout all the competitions.
Congratulations to our state medallists:
Darcey Ridhalgh U15 1st State champion
Thomas Aivazian U13 2nd
Isabelle Charlier U15 3rd
Alyssah Kay 17+ 3rd
MWGC had 8 tumblers competing at the events hoping for a spot on the NSW team to compete at the
National Championships this year. All 8 qualified for Nationals!
Tory
Featured from left to right; Isabella Stein, Darcey Ridhalgh, Isabelle Charlier, Alyssah Kay, Jade Mcdonald
Avia Ravid and Thomas Aivazain. Georgia Notaras also attended
NL NEWS
It’s been fun and challenging for the girls however they have improved a lot and it has been a good term
overall. Changes in the coaching team during Term 1 were a little unsettling but Term 2 is looking really
strong. The entire team is looking forward to the upcoming National Competitions.
Extra hours of coaching and training were implemented to get ready for the State and National
Championships as well as Border Challenge and the hard work paid off.
Comp results (1st, 2nd and 3rd)
State results
Alicia Robertson 2nd on floor (L7)
Lina Van Hammond 1st on vault (L9)
Jessica Lee Villegas, 2nd on vault (L9)
Emily Fraser, 3rd on vault (L9)
Matilde Breth-Petersen, 3rd on uneven bars (L10)
2016 shows an improvement on 2015 with an extra 5 girls making it to Border Challenge and 3 girls
making it to Nationals.
Nationals in May
Alicia Robertson (level 7) , Lina Van Hammond (level 9), Matilde Breth-Petersen (level 1)
Border Challenge in June
Level 9
Jessica Lee Villegas, Imogen Simonik, Jessica Thompson, Lucy Tompson, Emily Fraser
Level 8
Samara Robertson
Coach “Bughy” with the National Level 9 and 10 gymnasts at the NSW State Championships
Emily Fraser, Imogen Simonik, Mathilde Breth-Petersen, Jessica-Lee Villegas, Lucy Thompson and Lina Van
Hammond.
MAG NEWS
It has been a very busy start to term one here at Manly. After only two weeks of coming back to
commence training for the 2016 season the club attended the Gymnastics New South Wales annual
presentation night.
This event was for results posted during 2015 and the boys were nominated in various divisions. The good
news was at the end of the evening we collected
 MAG Club of the year for the fourth year running.
 Men’s Levels coaching team of the year.
 Men’s junior development coaching team of the year.
 Nicholas Hawkins was awarded junior level athlete of the year.
So all in all it was another very successful night for our club and our boys.
After an evening of relaxation it was back to the gym for some serious training. With the first of our
scheduled competitions commencing on the weekend of the 20th of February there was no room for
complacency.
The guys as always prepared well and recently completed all three of their state competitions, finishing
with State Championships; at the end of this event we had four boys finishing in 1st place overall in their
respective divisions, four 2nd places and two 3rd places, as well as 17 boys selected onto the NSW team to
represent the state at the 2016 Australian National Championships.
This is a truly wonderful result and once again demonstrates the wonderful work done by the staff at the
club and the dedication of all athletes and parents.
In the junior programs, we once again have an incredible amount of young talent and at the end of this
school term we will see our junior boys line up against the other clubs in the State as we commence our
‘Grand Prix’ series. This is an event that we have won during the past four years and once again we will be
looking to give a good account of ourselves.
Remember, if you have a son who has a desire to do competitive gymnastics, please just contact the office
and they will put you in touch with me and we can organise an assessment.
Enjoy the next part of the year here at the club and if you have any suggestions that you believe will make
this place even better than it is just get back to me.
Martin.
MAG Levels 9, 10 and Senior gymnasts left to right; Cameron Malone, Joel Brown, Jordan Papandrea, Rasmus
Breth Petersen, Jae Nagel , Sam Creen and Julien Horrocks.
UNDER 5’s
The under 5’s program is now bigger and better than ever!
Have you seen our new U5P brochure? They are available from administration and provide information on
all the wonderful classes we offer for children 5yrs and under.
Term 2 will see some exciting new themes and lots more fun for everyone to enjoy. If you haven’t
rebooked, now is the time! Get in quick as positions are limited.
Don’t forget to bring a friend in for a free trial in the U5P. Playdate vouchers are still valid and can be
collected from administration.
FOUNDATION
Wow these girls are strong!
Working extremely hard all of Term 1, the Mighty Star gymnasts have been building up their strength and
flexibility in preparation for their first foundation carnival. It was great to see friends and family come and
support the girls on the 7th of May, as the gymnasts show off their amazing talent.
Keep up the great work girls!
Heather.
HOLIDAY and SCHOOLS PROGRAMS
2016 is looking like a big year for both schools and holiday fun.
Holiday fun just keeps on growing and numbers over 100 each day are becoming a regular thing. We are
looking forward to some new activities to be included in the Term 2/3 holidays.
There is an increase in the numbers of schools using our facility and overall participation is up. Term 2 is
heavily booked, the quality of the program is proving to be a factor. The kids are loving it.
Wenona and Queenwood girls enjoyed their first term, this will followed by a more challenging term 2
since we will start preparing for the IPSHA Competition.
Iva
MWGC PLAYS HOST
At the end of this term MWGC will be hosting a group of gymnasts from United World College, in
Singapore. The group arrive on Thursday the 23rd of June and stay with us for a week.
They are bringing 12 WG gymnasts from NL4-8, and 2 coaches.
MWGC should be honoured by the fact we have been chosen by the school and it will be fantastic that we
can all get together and share some gym stories and expertise.
A couple of coaches will be away at a competition in QLD, so we may have to shift the Saturday classes to
an afternoon “clinic” style session, where gymnasts can train specific skills with our top coaches, and meet
these Singaporean International School gymnasts.
There will also be clinics with our gymnasts in NL 5-10 (potentially IL as well – numbers depending): on
Saturday (replacing regular training) and Sunday.
Also we would like to offer all gymnasts an opportunity to have a FUN NIGHT where the girls can play
some games, have dinner, watch a movie and maybe sleepover. If you’re interested in helping with either
the activity/dinner part or the movie/sleepover part please let us know. Our main objective is to treat the
weekend like a camp for these gymnasts and show them why MWGC is the greatest Club in the country.
CELEBRITY STATUS
We were recently featured on the Sunrise show!
Thanks to all the girls (and parents) who helped MWGC star on the popular breakfast TV program. If you
missed the footage it’s on the MWGC Facebook page.
A big shout out goes to Heather Rath, who in her usual style not only perfectly managed the whole event
but successfully showcased our club on National TV.
A big thank you to Heather’s mum Maureen and Melinda Stewart who also assisted with meeting the
Sunrise team at 4am on Easter Monday.
MWGC welcomed Channel 7’s Sam Mac and Nadia Fairfax for the release of the Barbie Spy Girl DVD.
Thanks to all the girls (and parents) who attended filming.
PROFILE AND INTERVIEWS
Lucy Stewart
IL level 8
Saxon Glendenning
MAG level 7 under 12
At what age did you start gymnastics?
Lucy- I started Kindergym when I was 3 with my Aunty who is a gym coach and then joined a squad when I was 5
Saxon- I started at the age of 4
What do you love about this sport?
Lucy- What I love about this sport is I can train with my friends, learn new skills, being able to compete and to fun in the
gym
Saxon- I love competing and I love that I can do things I never thought I could do.
What was your best moment of 2015?
Lucy- My best moment during 2015 was when I competed IL7 at State Championships and came second overall. Also
later in that year I moved up a level to compete at the Australian Classic in IL8
Saxon-My best moment was the first comp of the year because it was the first comp I did.
How do you feel about representing NSW at National Championships?
Lucy- I feel excited about representing NSW because I can compete for my State against other States. Also I can compete
with a new team and have fun with each other.
Saxon- I’m happy that I get to support NSW at National Championships because it’s the first level that you can go to
National in and I made it.
Tell us how many hours you train and your likes and dislikes during training?
Lucy- I train 28 hours a week and I like beam skills, leaps and learning skills on bars. I don’t really like vault and
sometimes I hate strength. Plus when I hurt myself badly I don’t like that.
Saxon- I train 16 hours a week and I don’t really have any dislikes.
What are your plans and goals for next year?
Lucy- One of my goals for this year is to do well at Nationals and get into the finals on beam. My plan is to learn new
skills and achieve the things I need to get.
Saxon- One of my goals for this year is to get the skills that I need for level 8 for next year
Thank you.
SKILLS and TIPS
Back handspring (flip)
Tall stretch position, feet together, sit back into flip, powerful push (jump) into the flip, throw hands to
floor fast, body should be in an open handstand shape as hands touch floor, start snap into dish before
vertical, push through shoulders and wrists (not elbows), distance from hands to feet is short for a
powerful snap down, make sure legs are straight and together and body is tight during the skill.
Here are a few drills and common mistakes.
Drills:
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Handstand pops
Corbets (handstand snap down off beat board or small box)
Back handspring to handstand hold with spot
Back handspring over big cylinder.
Common mistakes:
 Not jumping
 Rushing (the whole skill or arm placement)
 Closed shoulders when hands hit the floor
 Throwing head back before hands (causes shoulders to close on floor)
 Loose body and bent legs
MANLY WARRINGAH GYMNASTICS
NEWSFLASH
WE ARE INVITING NEW SPONSORS FOR 2016 and BEYOND
THE FULL BROCHURE IS AVAILABLE AT
www.mwgymclub.com/membersinfo/sponsors
Or call Ian Hardy on 02 9972 9222
Email
[email protected]