Gymnastics New South Wales

Gymnastics New South Wales
 

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Gymnastics NSW

The Early Days

1921 - 1946
Gymnastics for men commenced at a club known as Grahame Men’s Gymnastic Club, founded by Jim Brown, its Captain.

Mr W H (Billy) Wilson coached the Club for some 31 years. Billy Wilson went on to become the President of NSWAGA, a life member and Patron.

Attempts to form a NSW Association were interrupted by the Second World War 1939 – 1945.

1947 - 1949
In 1947 officers of Grahames plus some others formed a committee of 5 to draw up a constitution.

In August 1948 they established “the Amateur Gymnastic Association of Australia” a name which had to change in October that year to the NSW Amateur Gymnastic Association (affectionately known as the AGA). The first office bearers were:

President: Mr T W Hey Cunningham
Vice President: W (Billy) Wilson
Secretary: Neville Carroll
Asst Secretary: Wilf Hoffman
Treasurer: A Pitt
Registrar: N Bruce

The first State Championship was held in September 1949.

On 8th September 1949 W Wilson, N Carroll and L Wigney represented NSW at a meeting in Melbourne to from an Australian body, which was known as the Australian Amateur Gymnastic Union.


The Fifties

1950
2nd September, 1950 the first Australian Championships were held in Melbourne.
The first NSW Team was Basil Skrill, Kevin Newell, Charles Lusty, Roy Etherington, and Bill Phillips.
21st October, 1950 The second NSW State Championship was held, with admission charged at 2/- for Adults and 1/- for children. (20 and 10 cents).

1951
The Australian Championships were held in Sydney, on set exercises, and were held at the Sydney YMCA with finals at the Sydney Boys High School, Moore Park. NSW Team was Bruce Sharp, * Brian Blackburn, Jim Sutherland. Participating States were Victoria, Qld and NSW.

1952
The Australian Championships were held in Brisbane, with the same team representing NSW.
Mr W (Billy) Wilson and Mr Harry Morris (AGU President) travelled to Helsinki at their own expense, to observe the Olympic Games.
The Chief Justice of NSW Mr Leslie Herron appointed as the first Patron.

1953
Saw the stalwarts of the NSW team joined by J Gibson and G Cranfield to compete in the Australian Championships in Melbourne.

1954
In May a team of women visited form Victoria to demonstrate at the NSW Championships.
In August international gymnastics came to Sydney with a visit by gymnasts from Hamilton, New Zealand who won the exchange.
There were 5 Clubs affiliated in these early years. They were:

Grahames Men’s Gymnastic Club
YMCA Sydney
Willoughby Youth Club
Jewish War Memorial Club
Cunninghams Gymnasium

AAGU sought affiliation with FIG (in order to compete in 1956)
At a time of no Television, videos and other modern distractions, a display troupe was formed to meet the many requests for displays, and spread the word through the metropolitan and country areas. Gymnastics tumbling was a popular item on Cinesound and Movietone newsreels.
The George Sparkes Tumbling Academy from Newtown often joined the gymnastic troupe for major events like Health week at the Sydney Town Hall and in Hyde Park.

1955
The Association cooperated closely with the Australian Standards Assn regarding the specifications of gymnastic apparatus. This work was done in preparation for the FIG Olympic requirements. * The work was done by Neville Caroll and Jim Brown with “manufacturers in Victoria (Lorbach and Rye) and South Australia (Acromat) contributing effectively”.
The National Championships held in Brisbane were a pointer towards the impending Olympic Games. Brian Blackburn was the National Champion.
The Australian College of Physical Education affiliated.
Mr Wilson raised the possibility of entering a women’s team in the 1956 Olympics.

1956
A group of girls from Grahames went to Melbourne in February to show they could perform on the Olympic apparatus. Until this time women’s gymnastics had been along the lines of physical culture.
Women first compete in the NSW State Titles.
Canberra Grammar School affiliates.
Two of the 5 man team to compete at Nationals in Melbourne are selected for the 1956 Olympics – Brian Blackburn and Bruce Sharp. Five NSW officials (Wilson, Carrol, Wigney, Pitt and Brown) were apparatus officials. Carroll and Brown were the long horse zone judges – after completing a FIG judges course just prior to the games.
An attempt is made to form a State Women’s Gymnastics Union.
Eureka Youth League Club affiliates.
Following the Olympics, coinciding with the introduction of Television to Australia began the promotion of the sport via ABC Sport programs and other programs on commercial stations.
A display at Willoughby Youth Club featured Olympians Blackburn and Sharp with Canoeing Olympian Max Baldwin and Hungarian 4 time gold medallist Agnes Keletti who defected in ’56.
A major benefit from the Games was that 4 or 5 of the complete sets of Olympic apparatus were distributed to each of the affiliated States. This was a huge step as it meant for the first time that National competitions could have training and competition on the same apparatus.

1957
March sees the first AGM of the Women’s Gymnastic Association.
The National Fitness Camp at Narrabeen opened, providing a venue for a number of special gymnastic training camps.
The PCYC, University of Sydney and Sydney YMCA are all now offering both Men’s and Women’s gymnastics.

1958
The National Championships are held in Perth and discussions at the AGU conference consider the possibility of Women competing at Nationals.


The Sixties

1960
The first Women’s National Championships were held in Brisbane – even though Australia fielded 3 women in the 1956 Olympics (none from NSW – Barbara Cunningham and Wendy Nicholls from Vic and Inga Borg from QLD).
The Olympic trials were held in Melbourne, and NSW had 4 contenders in the women’s section – Georgina Halmi who had to retire due to injury, Elenore Ollerenshaw, Yvonne Emery and J Woodhouse. None were successful in being selected.
Benny De Roo of NSW competes at the Rome Olympics.
NSW then fielded senior women competitors in every National except 1972.

1962
The Nationals are back in Perth
Men have to judge women until women can be trained to replace them. Technical committees at State and national level have to be duplicated with “competent” women.

1963
Neville Carrol, the first secretary and Joe Hey-Cunningham, the first President retires after years of hard wok from this now thriving Association.
Mr W (Billy) Wilson becomes the President. Billy served many more years as an enthusiastic President and wonderful benefactor.
Bruce Sharp became the Secretary.
Junior A grade titles are introduced for Women
The National Championships are held in Sydney at the North Sydney Boys High School, and then the Sydney Town Hall. The Hall was filled to capacity, and the event was a great financial success.
WA women dominate.

1964
The National Championships and Olympic trials are held in Brisbane. NSW Men take the first 4 places, all of who go on to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Mark Faulks, Benny De Roo, Ted Trainer, Doug MacLennan.
First “Australian Gymnast” produced.

1965
Billy Wilson became the Association’s first Life member.

1966
WA hosts an invitational event to show that there should be a Junior National Championship for Women. Much of the success of this event is due to an outstanding team from Canberra; representing NSW competes, setting new standards. This team featured Jan Tonnison (McConville)

1968
Jim Brown stated “Experience now points the way for young men like Shaw Byng, with many others, who are responding to the improved coaching practice and equipment – all that is needed now that the NSWAGA has proved the value of gymnastics as an indoor, all weather activity in youth welfare – is a central, fully equipped venue and secretariat to ease the burdens of these unpaid devotees who are serving the cause of youth under unreasonable pressures”

1971
Jim Barry becomes the new AAGU President and Frances Thompson the new WTD.

1972
Sharon Gilligan, Pam Mikl and Joanne Holmes are members of the Australian team to World Championships in Varna.
Frances Thompson becomes Australia’s first FIG Brevet Judge for WAG.
Barry Byrnes becomes the NSW President until 1974.
All Japan Tour of Australia

1973
Jan Tonnison, Pam Mikl, Sharon Gilligan and Joanne Holmes win the National title.
By now thee are 77 affiliated clubs, and the need for employed staff is more evident than ever.

1974
Edgley Russian Tour of Australia
World Championships in Varna, Bulgaria. Australian team prepared in Prague, Czech. In their brand new specialist training facility – where we saw pits for the first time.

1974 - 1983
President is Lionel Hurst, who with his wife Beverley work hard to meet the ever increasing demands. Vice Presidents are Jane Mendel, member of the Board of the YWCA and Gene Schembri of Macquarie University. Both hold FIG Judges Brevets.

1976
Olympics in Montreal – Phillip Cheetham one of 2 MAG competitors.

1977
WAG Championships are named Gold, Silver and Bronze and Judges credentials are similarly named and aligned.
In Feb. the AGF WAG Director organises a rhythmic clinic to re-introduce rhythmic to Australia. From this Rhythmic gymnastics is introduced to NSW, with Fay and Richard Woods, plus Maureen Vyse working to develop this new aspect of the Sport.
Later in the year at the National Championships in Perth, RSG elects it first National Technical Director (up until this time it was part of the portfolio of the WAG Director).
The Bronze Nationals are held at Waratah High School in Newcastle, and NSW wins.
Annual National clinics are introduced, with a successful MAG clinic in Sydney.
Campbelltown RSL is the first Club to feature in the new “Australian Gymnast”.
A WAG team goes into China on the 5th anniversary of the Australia Chinese Relationships. Sandra Jones NSW’s only representative. (3 x Broken Hill)
AAGU changed to AGF.

1978
National Titles were held at Narrabeen.
First “official” Rhythmic National competition (invitational)
Commonwealth Games – Gene Schembri and Helmutt Geiblinger Judges. Phil Cheetham only NSW gymnast.
World Championships in Strausb0urg – Helmutt Geiblinger and Keith Giddy coaches, Sandra Jones and Carole Marsh (brought from Juniors), Phil Cheetham and Shaw Byng competitors.
Gunnedah start to show their strength in WAG with Paula Withers.
Successful Victor Khomuutov tour.
AGF employ their first Executive Director – a Canadian Archer.

1979
Pacific Championships in USA. Jane Mendel Manager. Phil Cheetham and Shaw Byng in.
Rhythmic sends its first representatives to a World Championship in London. Unfortunately no NSW. (The Group places 16th /23 and Karen Ho 51st/83.)
Spartakiade in Moscow
World Artistic Championships in Fort Worth Texas. NSW – Keith Giddy WAG Coach, Phil Cheetham and Shaw Byng.
Peggy Browne is appointed as the new AGF Executive Director.
NSW proudly reports in the Australian Gymnast of a very successful, large competition in levels 1 – 8, with 160 competitors!
The first paid employee is appointed – Gene Schembri as Coaching Director, who does such a good job he is enticed by AGF to become the National Coaching Director in 1982.
l report is expanded to include a summary of key results.


The Eighties

1980
Meetings move out of Billy Wilson’s factory to the new Sports House in the City, where the Association was provided with an office. – rent free.
Secretary Rowena White and Beverley Hurst work in the office.
Olympics in Moscow – Phil Cheetham selected, then out 3 weeks prior due to injury.

1981
AIS opens, and gymnastics is included for both MAG and WAG. Very high expectations.
AGF becomes incorporated.
World Championships in Moscow – Keith Giddy
NSW introduces a “Carnival of Clubs” = a competition to fill the gap for those who don’t make it to Novice.

1982
Rhonda Kimble became the first full time employee, as office coordinator.
John Watkins was employed as the first full time Manager, lasting until 1986.
Pacific Alliance series in Melbourne and Canberra, with Commonwealth Championship in the week prior to Commonwealth Games.
WAG National Clubs commences

1983
Lionel Hurst retires and Jim Maguire is elected as President, a position he holds until 1991
Rhythmic gymnastics added to AIS programme.
Introduction of Regions or Zones.
Rewriting of the constitution
At Nationals our Gold level WAG team wins, and every girl is included in the Australian team for World Championships.

1984
Olympic Games in Los Angeles
NSW hosts the Olympic trials at the new EG Whitlam Centre
SSC opens in November, and NSWGA moves to new premises and a specialist training facility. (Jim Browne’s wish of 1968 becomes a reality – 16 years)
With the opening of the new specialist facility comes a special State Government grant to develop elite gymnastics in NSW.
Pacific Alliance in Reno and San Francisco

1985
A new professionalism begins with the employment of coaching staff.Mako Sakamoto employed as Coaching Director and Ju ing Tian employed to coach WAG.
Introduction of “HPC” squads to SSC.
Ileana Vogelar is relocated from AIS to establish a decentralised RSG program
A Carnival of Clubs event commences (for runner to the Festival)
Australia Games in Melbourne
World Championships in Montreal

1986
June Sydney hosts the RSG Oceania Championships
June in Darwin at the WAG Junior National Championships one of the highest impact decisions is made at the National Assembly. To divide WAG into 2 streams, National and international.
July a very successful Westfield spectacular with Peter Vidmar and Paul Hunt
Frances Crampton resigns from the AGF WTD position after 16years.
Frances Crampton employed as Executive Director
New E.D sees an outstanding display group at the Carnival of Clubs and encourages them to go to the FIG Gymnaestrada.
First NSWGA Annual Awards
Pacific Alliance in Macau

1987
The Westfield Spectacular is expanded to a 3 day event covering MAG and RSG Junior State Titles. WAG National Club Championship, World Championship selection trial for WAG, which featured Kristie Phillips, Poebe Mills and Rhonda Faehn from Karolyis in USA, combined with GG displays and special presentations by Paul Hunt.
Paul Hunt displays at Gunnedah to open their new specialist training facility.
Mako Sakamoto returns to USA.
L’Elfin Gym Club under Jenny Whitworth becomes Australia’s first Gymnaestrada representative group.
Two weeks after the Senior Nationals in Perth, NSW hosts the Junior MAG and RSG Nationals, where for the first time every State and Territory competes.
Open Forums introduced to provide greater community input.
NSWGA becomes incorporated
At the World Championships, Shaw Byng secures a place for MAG, and Monique Allen and Carolyn Stewart secure 2 places for WAG at the next Olympics.
An effort is made to provide gymnast members something tangible for their $ - a wall planner with major dates etc for 1997, plus a list of all State and National Champions, awards, contacts etc. At the end of the year most Clubs have not distributed this benefit.
Ileana Vogelaar returns to USA.
FC awarded Life Membership of AGF.

1988
NSW hosts: the Soviet Spectacular, the 39th Australian Championships – where we proudly boast all three National Champions – Blaise Rizzo, Monique Allen, Gina Peluso
Olympians – Monique Allen – and Ken Meredith
The Konica Bicentennial Cup
Kazuya was appointed the Coaching Director – responsible for overseeing and coaching the elite MAG and WAG squads, and coaches’ education!!
Robert Hong is appointed as the MAG Coach.
Anne Scott as the WAG Coach
Lu Ping Ding as the RSG Coach
On the eve of hosting a National Championship – the fire!!
Kazuya resigns.

1989
Westfield Sport Spectacular featured other artistic sports, and featured top Canadian Commonwealth Games Champions – Curtis Hibbert and Madonna Gimotea, with the TOYO MAG RSG team stealing the show.
NSW hosted the WAG Oceania/National Levels Championships.
The Association’s first strategic plan is written for 1989 – 1992.
Annual report is expanded to include a summary of key results.


The Nineties

1990
Commonwealth Games in Auckland – RSG included – 5 NSW reps out of11.
The FIG Executive (20+ people) visited to inspect facilities etc for a possible World Championship in Sydney. The best we could show them was the SEC.
Fadel Chidiac commenced as Coaching Director!!
The NSW Academy is announced to launch the State Elite Athlete Development Scheme.
Federal HC recognition scheme commences.

1991
Jim Maguire retires and is relaced by Peter Read.
Gold and Silver Pins are introduced
Government funding for elite programmes comes under the NSW Academy of Sport
Historical year for WAG at World Championships 16th to 6th!
L’Elfin and Gymaroos go to the Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam
A GAISF conference is held in Sydney – as part of the Bid process for 2000. This again brings key FIG Executive members to Sydney. This was coincided with a Federal Government launch of the Women’s Sport in the Media, which featured our successful WAG National team.
Dieter Hoffmann and Maria Gigova review our elite MAG and RSG programmes.
Irene Petrova becomes the RSG head coach.
Huge call for displays.

1992
Dmitri Zorin joins the WAG elite programme, Irene Petrova moves to France with her new husband, and Edith Peluso takes over.
Delia Halmu joins the staff.
Demand for displays continues, particularly with the Sydney bid – well in excess of 100.
We are asked to bid for inclusion in the five Country Regional Academies. This is a time consuming exercise, and in each one it is mutually agreed that Gymnastics “doesn’t fit”.
Last MAG and RSG Levels Nationals held in Townsville, backing on to the most successful (and last) WAG National levels in Gunnedah.
Barcelona – NSW 3 gymnasts represented.

1993
The Festival is held at Australia’s Wonderland.
RSG elite wins every individual and team national title.
MAG team goes to Guangdon, China on Sydney Canton exchange. (DSR)
FIG President and Secretary General come to Sydney again –vWorld Championships Bid.
MAG, WAG and SG combined National Levels!
Pacific School Games in Darwin
Nikon International in Sydney for MAG and WAG with RSG displays.
Coaches’ education surges ahead with 20 accreditation courses and 100 updating, and our first Coaches Congress.

1994
Commonwealth Games in Canada - 5 NSW gymnasts represented.
Taree Gymaroos hosts the first Aussie Gym Fest. A great success under Doreen Rayward.
Australian hosts an Artistic World Championship in Brisbane. Bret Husdson achieves the highest ranking for an Australian male at 23rd.
SG and MAG introduce Nationals Club events.
23 State events with trials and titles, sets the model for future years.
Best year for memberships – 256 Clubs and over 30,000 members.
Eva Wykrota becomes the Coaching Director.
VIP introduced.
Bulletin becomes the “Flic Flac” and is included in Coaches membership package.

1995
Many international events involving NSW members. Too many to recount here
Ken Meredith joins the MAG elite coaching staff.
CD and DO move into an office in the new Golf Driving Range.
Gymnaestrada in Berlin saw L’Elfin, Gymaroos, Gladesville, Campbeltown RSL
MEAA moves into sport!
Frances Crampton is awarded a OAM.

1996
Taree hosts the second Aussie Gym Fest, this time with AGF involvement.
Enter the NSWIS – with enhanced funding for our programs, which we continue to divide 3 ways.
NSW hosts Australian National Championships – very successful with Japanese MAG RSG display team from Toyo University.
Swedish team of 250 visit. Special display evening includes NSW display teams.
Sydney Sports Expo for 10 days is used to promote Clubs – RSG conducted elite training during the 10 days, interspersed with displays.
RSG has 15 International representatives.
Atlanta Olympics – 4 NSW representatives.
ITAB’s are now a major factor.

1997
Competitive Aerobics joins Gymnastics – Australia/NSW has the World Champion Juanita Little.
Greater accountability for inclusion in NSWIS sees WAG removed from funding assistance.
AGF appoints a full time National Coach for WAG.
After establishing good programmes with ASC HC funding assistance – it is taken away!
Registrations start to fall.
Changing of the guard at AGF.
Coaches Congress the biggest yet with 500 participating.
Another Sports Expo – kindy emphasis
NSW hosts the Senior Nationals.
Four Continents Championship at SEC.
RSG Classic Clubs at Gosford.
Novice Championships become the State Regional.
Intermediate Championships become the State Clubs Levels.
NSWIS new Director Michael Scott.
Acromat agreement signed.
Helen Colagiuri elected as AGF WTD.
Frances Crampton SRITAB and SRTA.

1998
RSG Group efforts – team to World Championships - placed last.
New events – World Youth Games in Moscow.
Commonwealth Games – 6 NSW gymnasts
World Trampoline Championships in Sydney – FIT formally closed, to join with Gymnastics.
Difficult decision (after 12 years) to close the “elite” WAG program.
Biggest review of all programmes undertaken – towards beyond 2000.

1999
Frances Crampton OAM resigns as Executive Director on 31st October after 13 years.
Kris Mathiesen appointed the new executive director.
Frances Crampton and Lionel Hurst were awarded life membership.
Trampoline Sports merge with Gymnastics.
Sport Aerobics & Sports Acrobatics recognized as Gymsports.
Leigh Marning, Bree Robertson, Danielle Leray, Philippe Rizzo, Alison Grey, Chanelle Johnson, Keren-orr Byatt, Jenny Comptom, Penny Blackmore, Celicia Slade & Jonathon Dore represented Australia at World Championships.
Relocation of the office to “Gymnastics House” located in the ground of the State Sports Centre Homebush.
Computer system was networked with connections to the internet and emails and a website created.
Gymnaestrada 1999 was held in Sweeden. JA Gym & Dance, Gladesville RSLYC, Bankstown Sports Y.C and the Combined Clubs Display Squad participated.

2000
2000 Olympics & Paralympics held at Sydney Olympic Park Homebush.
Peter Hogan Steps down as Treasurer.
Brad Hall appointed as Treasurer.
The Trampoline World Cup was held in Gosford.
Qantas International challenge Olympic test event/Australian National Championships held at the Superdome Sydney Olympic Park.
Philippe Rizzo MAG, Alexandra Croak (WAG) Danielle LeRay (RG) and Katie Mitchell (RG Coach) selected for the 2000 Olympics. Ji Wallace who trained at Gosford nominated to represent Australia at Sydney 2000. Ji went on to win a silver medal, the first ever for gymnastics in male trampoline.
Relocation of the office to 32 George Street, Homebush.
The Pacific School Games for gymnastics held at the State Sports Centre.
Trampoline National Championships held in Gosford.
The Constitution was amended to accommodate the inclusion of the new Gymsports Sport Aerobics, Trampoline Sports and Sports Acrobatics.
Retirement of Technical Directors Brett Belcher (WAG), Christine Hart (RG) Vic Blinman (MAG) and John Reynolds (Elected Delegate).
Vic Blinman and Kevin Maunder awarded Life Membership.

2001
Diane Erickson, Dr. Abby Bloom and Ross Broadbent appointed to the Board.
Kathy Mead steps down from the Board.
Ken Benson retired from the Board.
World Championships Ghent Belgium, Philippe Rizzo wins Australia’s first Artistic Gymnastics medal by taking out Silver on High Bar. Ian Bartlett & Justin Ng were also Australian Representatives.
Jonathon Dore, Scott Brown & Khali Ridge represents Australia at World Championships in Trampoline.
Alexandra Croak represents Australia at World Championships in WAG.
Kate Riley represents Australia at World Championships in Rhythmic.
John Curry appointed to the Board.
Tony Barber appointed to the Board
NSW won the Cheales/ Williamson shield at MAG National Championships.

2002
Commonwealth Games Manchester England, Philippe Rizzo wins a silver medal in the All Round, gold on High Bar, Pommel, & Parallel Bars and bronze on floor & team. Ian Bartlett was also an Australian Representative in MAG. Alexandra Croak wins a silver medal on vault and team gold in WAG. Kate Riley is the Australian Representative for Rhythmic.
World Championships Miami Beach Florida, Lauren Farry wins a gold medal in Aerobics.
Ross Broadbent resigns from the Board.
Phil Breaden appointed to the Board.
Constitution and By Laws changed to bring the financial year into line with the Calendar year.
Tony Barber Steps down from the Board.
Nigel Matthews appointed to the Board
Don Bollard appointed to the Board.
Bernard Hui appointed to the Board.

2003
Peter Read stands down as President in June and awarded Life Membership.
Don Bollard takes over as President.
Kris Matheisen resigns as CEO.
Aaron Bloomfield appointed as General Manager.
Helen Leys appointed to the Board.
Chris Behan represented Australia at the Suzuki World Cup and World Championships Miami Beach Florida in Aerobics
World Championships Miami Beach Florida, Lauren Farry wins gold in Aerobics
NSW won the Cheales/ Williamson Shield at MAG National Championships
Philippe Rizzo Gold medal on High Bar – World Cup in Paris.
Jonathon Dore, Scott Brown, Viktor Zhuravlev, Grant Lee & Khali Ridge represent Australia at World Championships in Trampoline.
Josh Holmes (FIG) inducted into the AGF MAG Judges Hall of Fame.
Philippe Rizzo & Ian Bartlett represent Australia at World Championships Anaheim USA.
Olympic Youth Festival – WAG Athlete Nadia Fairfax wins a Silver medal on Beam. Trampoline Athlete Lisa Sansom wins a Silver medal in Women’s Syncronised. NSW is represented by MAG Athlete Adrian Jannssen, Rhythmic Athlete Amelia McVeigh and Jessica Veal and WAG Athlete Hailey Tyrell.

2004
Aaron Bloomfield formally appointed CEO in July 2004.
NSW won the Cheales/ Williamson Shield at MAG National Championships.
NSW won every age trophy in Trampoline at National Championships.
Melissa. Munro competed in the 2004 Olympics Athens Greece
Philippe Rizzo competed in the 2004 Olympics Athens Greece.
Suzuki World cup, Chris Behan placed 6th in the finals in Aerobics
FISAF World Championships, Chris Behan placed 3rd in the finals in Aerobics.
National Championships for MAG, WAG,RG, held at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
National Championships for Sport Aerobics, Sports Acrobatics and Cheerleading held at Sydney Olympic Park.
Diane Erickson steps down from the Board.
Grant Butler appointed to the Board.

2005
MAG Gymnasts Philippe Rizzo and Prashanth Sellathurai competed at World Championships in Melbourne.
RG Gymnasts Amelia McVeigh, Kimberly Mason & Naazmi Johnston competed at World Championships in Baku, AZE
TRP had four representatives at World Championships Hannover, Germany – Johnathon Dore, Damian Ryan, Scott Brown & Victor Zhuravlev
2005 was the first time in 10 years that we recorded over 30,000 members. We also had 176 affiliate clubs.
The weekly online Flic Flac and a disk yearbook were introduced. The Website was also upgraded.
The Website was upgraded. Board Reports added to the website.
Competition Sanction Program implemented.
Data Management System implemented.
Don Bollard elected to the Gymnastics Australia Board.
Youth Olympics – Prashanth Sellathurai wins a gold medal on Pommel and Rings and Silver on Parallel Bars. Trampoline – Bethany Bailey wins a Silver medal in the Women’s Individual and Syncronised and Louise Stack a Bronze medal in the Women’s individual. Ty Swadling wins a silver medal and Greg Clune wins a bronze medal in the Men’s Syncronised. Other NSW Athletes to compete are Jessica Veal and Desiree Eid Rhythmic, Melody Hernandez WAG and Matthew Bonham and Luke Wiwatowski MAG.

2006
MAG Gymnast Philippe Rizzo wins our first gold medal on High Bar at World Championships in Aarhus.
MAG Gymnast Prashanth Sellathurai wins silver on the Pommel Horse at World Championships in Aarhus.
WAG Gymnast Melody Hernandez represents Australia in WAG at World Championships.
Gymnastics NSW awarded the 2006 Sports Organisation of the Year.
Special AGM held a 7 Underwood Road, Homebush to allow the purchase of a new Head Office.
Gymnastics NSW purchases a new Head Office, Unit 2 11-21 Underwood Road, Homebush.
An Industry recognized traineeship is introduced to year 11 & 12 Students.
‘Equip for Success’ was launched with the first phase a series of risk management workshops.
The Competition Sanction Program expanded in 2006 to include a training program for 25 regional volunteers to inspect and verify the information provided by the competition sanction applicant.
MAG Gymnast Philippe Rizzo wins a bronze medal in the All Round and a silver medal on Parallel Bars at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
MAG Gymnast Prashanth Sellathurai wins a silver medal on Pommel at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Rhythmic Gymnast Kimberly Mason wins a silver medal in Ball and a bronze medal in Clubs.
Gloria Nichol elected to the Board.
Supervisors Course implemented to increase access to Gymnastics Programs in regional areas.
NSW had 78 National Champions.
A new IP telephone system was purchased to improve office flexibility.
A volunteer recognition and reward program was adopted.
A student internship program was implemented to increase access to volunteer assistance and to provide students with hands on experience in events, marketing and club development.
13% increase in membership over three years.
Edith Peluso awarded Life Membership.
Acrobatics World Championships - Sarah Gilbey, Lisa Jones, Alice Kesby, Rebecca Buffrey, Bianca Ilacqua & Megan Bolton represented Australia.
Aerobics World Championships – Chris Behan represented Australia.

2007
Don Bollard steps down from the Board and is awarded Life Membership.
Virginia Elliott is awarded Life Membership.
Trampoline Athletes Greg Clune, Ty Swadling, Damian Ryan & Bethany Bailey competed in the Senior World Championships in Quebec Canada.
Special Olympics, China. MAG Athlete Christopher Bunton wins a bronze medal in the All Round, 1st Rings, 2nd Pommel, Vault, 3rd floor, Parallel Bars & High Bar in (Div 1-03) WAG Athlete Amrita Ramjas wins a gold medal in the All Round, 2nd Bar, Beam & Floor in (Div 1- 07) . Rhythmic Gymnast Elizabeth Hull wins a silver medal in the All Round, 1st Ball, Ribbon, Rope & 2nd Hoop in (Div 3 – 03).
MAG Athlete Prashanth Sellathurai competes on Pommel, Parallel Bars and Rings at Men’s Artistic World Championships in Stuttgart Germany. Luke Wiwatowski was named the reserve for the team.
MAG Athlete Prashanth Sellathurai wins a silver medal in the FIG World Cup in France.
Rhythmic Gymnast Kimberly Mason competes in the Rhythmic World Championships in Patras.
MAG Athletes Michael Mercieca, Mitchell Morgans, Sebastian Hui & Jack Rickards compete in the Olympic Youth Festival in Sydney.
NSW MAG Athletes win the Cheales/Williamson Shield at MAG National Championships in Queensland.
Nigel Matthews & Adelle Jackman step down from the Board.
John Mercieca elected to the Board.
Scallywaggs Gym for Kids wins the Most Outstanding Health & Fitness Club and Most Outstanding Business on the Central Coast in the 2007 Local Business Awards in August.
NSW is well represented at the 1st Australasian World Masters Games in South Australia. Leon Dobrinski, John Williams, Pam Mikl, Reg Williamson, Dieter Reithmeier, Sonya Perica, Trudy Reeves, Rose Marley, Elecia Johnston, Gemma Ronavuso, Pawan Bhoir, Sean Pickin, Geoff Monro.
Gymnaesrada Dornbirn Austria was represented by the NSW clubs Bankstown Sports Youth Club, Scallywaggs Gym for Kids, and Gymaroo and Springwood Boys & Girls Club combining to make a team called the Springaroos.
Bankstown Sports Youth Club was selected from the Gymnaesrada to compete for Australia in the Osaka Gym Fest in Japan.
Bankstown Sports Youth Club was selected from the Down Under Spirit Championships to compete in the Can Am Cheerleading Competition in Florida USA.
Trampoline World Age Games Canada – Blake Gaudry won a bronze medal in the U/17 Men’s Synchronised. NSW was represented at the World Age Games by Taylor Ellison, Moriana McLean, Dominique O’Driscoll, Owen Gilbert, Shaun Swadling, Blake Gaudry, Jessica McKay, Casey Pomeroy, Jason Johnson, Sally Brown.
Gymnastics NSW nominated for the award for State Level Sporting Organization with Safe Sport Practices at the 2007 NSW Sports Safety Awards.




 
 
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