Gymnastics Year Gets Underway May 28, 2007

This weekend sees the first artistic gymnastics competition at the new extended Christchurch School of Gymnastics stadium at QEII.

Officially opened by Helen Clark in March, and renamed the Lion Foundation Gymnastics Stadium, the venue was designed with competitions in mind.

Avril Enslow, the club’s Executive Director asserts that “it will be a lot easier to host the gymnastics competitions now. The older part of the gym has so much equipment for training that it was a nightmare to turn into a competition venue, but the new extension has a lovely open feel to it with natural light”.

The South Island Invitational, run by Canterbury Gymnastics, is one of the major events on the calendar and has drawn over 320 entries from all around the South Island; the competition starts on Saturday at 11.30am and goes until late on Sunday night.

In the boy’s gymnastics grades, there will be some interesting duels to watch!

Christchurch clubs have a number of NZ High Performance squad members. Jorden O’Connell-Inns CSG and Billy Gordon, Olympia, both aged 10 years will match off in the level 5 grade, while Jordan Russell, 12 CSG  is expected to dominate in the level 6 grade over teammate Avery Addei 10.

Olympia’s Riku Takei 13 also a NZ squad member will be up against CSG’s Aaron Clutterbuck, 13. This competition will be closely watched as Clutterbuck was recently named as the only South Island member in the NZ Team to compete in Brisbane in July.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact the following

Avril Enslow,

Christchurch School of Gymnastics

3886616 x 704,

021 2505099