Thursday, 14 July 2022

Southern gymnasts get home crowd at nationals

    By Luisa Girao

    There was a kind of different nervousness for two Southland athletes yesterday.

    Millie Scott and Alyssa Gauldie (both 14) are more than used to competing in gymnastics competitions across the country.

    Southland gymnasts Alyssa Gauldie and Millie Scott proudly represent their region in the New...
    Southland gymnasts Alyssa Gauldie and Millie Scott proudly represent their region in the New Zealand Gymnastics Nationals in Invercargill yesterday. PHOTOS: LUISA GIRAO
    But for the first time they were able to show their skills in the sport’s biggest event in their hometown, Invercargill.

    The two girls were among the 33 athletes from the Southland team taking part at the New Zealand Gymnastics Championships at ILT Stadium Southland.

    Southland gymnast Millie Scott (14) gets into the swing of things at the national championships...
    Southland gymnast Millie Scott (14) gets into the swing of things at the national championships yesterday.
    Southland Women’s Artistic Gym co-ordinator Petra Grieve said the team usually needed to travel with a delegation of about 50 people to North Island to compete and was great be able to "save a trip".

    "The girls are not so nervous, which is great. They are way more relaxed this year.

    "But the most important thing is for them have fun — that is what I am pushing them to."

    Another Southland gymnast, Alliyah Forbes (16), said the team had been working hard, training more than 26 hours a week.

    "I feel quite confident ... It [Invercargill] is a good place to have it [the nationals.]"

    More than 870 athletes have qualified for the championships and they will be battling it out over the next four days for national titles.

    Southland has already had a taste of success — Alyssa came third in her all-round final yesterday and Millie has qualified for Friday’s vault final.

    The competition runs until Saturday.

    luisa.girao@odt.co.nz