Over the past week, our artistic gymnastics national performance, aspiring, future and youth (men’s) squads came together for their first national camps of 2026. Challenger squad athletes also attended, creating strong numbers and a great mix of experience. These camps play an important role in the Gymnastics NZ performance pathway, supporting information sharing, collaborative coach development, and high-quality training environments for athletes. With clear skill progress across both codes, it was a positive start to the year.

For men’s artistic, squads refreshed team agreements and reviewed individual skill targets from 2025 testing, using these insights to shape 2026 goals. The discussions highlighted how difficult it can be to prioritise skill upgrades during the competition season, while reinforcing the importance of consistent, long-term development. Athletes responded well to a new training format introduced by lead coach Paul Fischetti.

The women’s artistic squads met for their first-ever full national camp, with 40 athletes attending from across the country. The focus was on creating a positive, collaborative experience. Coaches worked in pairs across apparatus, giving athletes exposure to different coaching styles. David Phillips, head of gymnastics at Gymnastics NZ, shared updates on performance pathway development and led workshops with athletes and coaches to establish team agreements. Athletes also took part in an artistry workshop, focusing on expression and creative movement.

Thank you to all coaches involved, their clubs for supporting attendance, and Tri Star Gymnastics for providing their facility.