Newly formed acrobatic duo Ashley Sher, 14, and Tyla Lackey, 8, may have only teamed up in December last year, but that didn't stop the pair winning gold at a recent Wollongong competition.
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The girls are part of an Eden Area development squad made up of seven gymnasts and two acrobats who train between 9-12 hours per week under the guidance of coaches Janine Chester and Ben Moroney.
According to Ms Chester long hours of hard work and training at the gym are paying off.
A recent weekend of competing in Wollongong and Nowra on May 18,19 saw the team placing in almost all of their events.
"Gymnastics and acrobatics are not easy sports. Every kid wants to learn to flip upside down, but it takes hours of dedication and hardwork to achieve at these levels," Ms Chester said.
Gymnast Madeline Lightly competed for the first time in the level seven category and placed second for her floor routine. Ms Chester said this was a "highly comendable" achievement.
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Level six gymnasts, Chloe Bretherton, Pippa Sporljaric, Isla Judd and Monique Gibbons competed at the Nowra Gymnastics Centre taking home first place in vault. The team placed in floor, bars and beam events.
According to Ms Chester level five competitor Codi Lackey demonstrated huge improvements. Meanwhile team mate Alana Bretherton came second place in the vault event with a score of 9.7.
"That's a massive score so close to a ten; another huge achievment. To see our girls improve and to place is truly something in our eyes," Ms Chester said.
Eden Area Gymnastics trains over 200 gymnasts from the ages of 18 months up until late teens. Choosing team members for the squad team would seem pretty simple, however not everyone wants to compete at such high levels.
"If we see potential in somebody then we firstly chat with them and their parents. Some kids are happy just to come to classes no matter what their potential." Ms Chester said.
High achieving acro-gymnast Ashley Sher began gymnastics at age six. She said the challenge of acrobatics and gymnastics has been something she always enjoyed however being part of the squad team is an extra bonus.
"Although we are all different ages we are close friends. We all support and encourage each other," Ashley said.
"Actually I don't think we have ever had one fight," she added.
