The past six months have seen a huge range of competitions held across the Midlands region. Qualifiers started with the Midlands Trampoline Champs back in March and finished with the Waitara Opens a couple of weeks ago – these of course will culminate at the 2016 NZ Gymsports Championships at the end of September. School festivals, junior competitive and recreation events are still going strong, including the annual AIMS Games kicking off next week.

Midlands athletes of all levels and abilities are spoiled for choice when it comes to the events that they can take part in. It has been great to see numbers growing, particularly with recreation and junior space and some new events appearing on the calendar.

Here is a snapshot of just a few of the competitions so far this year…

Midlands AER Championships – 13 August – Tauranga, hosted by Bay Aerobics

Taranaki Secondary Schools Sports Association (TSSA) Gym Funk Competition – 18 August – New Plymouth, hosted by Gymnastica

TSSA Gym Funk had a total of 86 entries this year across 3 divisions – tumbling/acro lines, mini trampoline and group performance.  Athletes entered from five Taranaki Secondary Schools and it was great to see the competition almost double in numbers from last year (49 entries in 2015).

MIGS Recreational Trampoline, Double Mini & Tumbling Competition – 21 August – Rotorua

With a very frosty start at the MIGS competition, everyone soldiered on despite a heating malfunction. All the parents took it in their stride and set great examples for all the athletes who soldiered on regardless – it was fantastic to see 70 kids enjoy their competitions and clock up new experiences. A big thanks to Argos, Hamilton City Gym Sports, Te Awamutu Gym Sports, and Te Puke Gym Sports for coming and supporting the MIGS event – so very much appreciated.

Waitara Opens – 13-14 August – New Plymouth, hosted by Waitara Gymsports
Waitara welcomed 290 WAG gymnasts from STEP 1 – 10 from all over the North Island. As one of the last qualifying competitions, more than 50 STEP 5, 30 STEP 6 and more than 50 senior STEP gymnasts put on a great show for spectators and younger gymnasts. These numbers are great reassurance that the STEPs programme success continues.
It was also great to have judges from all regions attend for an informal technical catch up on the year so far.
Adding to the fun, were coaches busy popping scores into their spreadsheets, to see how their regional gymnasts had fared with qualification through to the 2016 NZ Gymsports Championships.
Waitara Gymsports is a small club run by a group of very passionate people, each who work extra hard to ensure this competition is a success. More than 50 sponsors supported the competition and were there to present medals and catch glimpse of the talent that they are supporting. Such a great community spirit was present.

Taylah Dagg (Waitara) competing on beam