Whilst many kids may have been relaxing over the school holidays, gymnasts from the Eden Area Gymnastics Club have been hard at work, training for this weekend's NSW Country Championships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Twelve girls that make up the development squad will be travelling to Glendale to compete against 1,300 of country NSW's best and brightest gymnasts for the title of the 2019 Champion Club.
According to Eden Area Gymanstics co- coach Janine Chester, the girls are well prepared and geared up for the big competition, although the idea of winning was far from their minds.
"It's a huge competition," she said. "With so many gymnasts competing it can be intimidating. But it's a great opportunity for the girls to throw off their nerves and go for it."
Ranging in ages from 8 to 15 years old, the girls will be representing the club with routines in acrobatics and gymnastics.
Gymnast Alana Bretherton,12, who will be competing in the level seven vault, bars, beams and floor events said she was more "excited" than "nervous" about the three day long competition.
"We're always training and it's one competition after the other, so we are used to it. The more training we do the better. I like how in the week before a comp it all comes together," Alana said.
Ms Chester said a few of the team members will be trying out recently acquired skills. Incorporating the new skill sets could pose a " bit more of a challenge."
"There are new beam routines from start to finish for the level seven girls- it's all part of the challenge, they're improving all the time."
She added that the most important goal of competing in the championships was for the girls to enjoy the experience.
"If they place, then that's a bonus- but the main thing is for them to improve on where they were last year and to have fun," she said.
Gymnastics NSW Event Spokesperson Kait Bastion said she was excited for another great year of competition.
"The Gymnastics NSW Country Championships is a special event on our calendar. It is always so much fun when we can bring our country clubs together and we look forward to another great few days of gymnastics," Ms Bastion said.
The Gymnastics NSW Country Championships will be held from July 17- 21 at Hunter Sport Centre, Glendale.