MBC GYMNASTICS – REPORT 2001

Our Centenary Year 2001 realises a new era for Moreton Bay and Queensland Gymnastics. The planning of new programs, acquisition of equipment, design and approval of the Waller Centre extensions and implementation of Queensland’s first Independent School “Centre of Excellence” for Gymnastics have been approved by the MBC Board of Governors.

On September 17th, 2001 the Moreton Bay College Centre of Excellence for Gymnastics was launched and heralded an exciting future of growth and development for our Artistic, Rhythmic and Sport Aerobic disciplines. Central to the success of our Centre of Excellence was the employment of Sasha & Olga Belooussov; Internationally acclaimed Master Coaches in Artistic Gymnastics.

Olga and Sasha’s role at MBC has attracted wide interest within the school and gymnastic community and their contribution to our Competitive Women’s Artistic Programs will be significant.

The MBC Centenary year has been the most exciting year for MBC Gymnastics during its relatively short history. Through the foresight and wisdom of our Board of Governors; Principal, Mr. Paul Teys and Head of Physical Education, Mrs. Liz Lyons, MBC Gymnastics has embarked on the most ambitious development plans of any gymnastic program in Queensland. The initiatives and innovations that will trade mark MBC as a leader in Queensland and Australian Gymnastics will be further enhanced and will provide the very best training and learning situation for our most important people – our students.

My personal thanks to our outstanding Rhythmic and Artistic Coaching Staff for their commitment to our students; and to our valued clients, the parents of the gymnasts for their contribution to a successful 2001.

Peter Dowdell
Head of Gymnastics MBC

Highlights and Initiatives for MBC Gymnastics in 2001 include;

¨ Employment of leading Sport Educator and Gymnastic Coach, Peter Dowdell as Head of Gymnastics to oversee the development of and expansion of MBC Gymnastics.

¨ Employment of International Master Coaches Olga and Sasha Belooussov to resource Queensland’s first “Centre of Excellence” in an independent school.

¨ The development of all programs on a sound educational foundation with a prescribed Gymnastic Curriculum.

¨ Purchase and updating of equipment to update both the Waller Centre and Leita Boswell Centre to ensure the minimum competitive needs are met for the Rhythmic and Womens Artistic Program.

¨ Facilitation of Coach Education Resources, including the “MBC Coach Resource Book”.

¨ Introduction of Annual Coaches Education Workshop and Gymnast Clinic during the January holiday period.

¨ The opening of Level 1 to 10 classes to the public to facilitate membership growth and to develop the profile of MBC Gymnastics.

¨ The introduction of term based assessment for WAG Level 1 – 3 through a formalised Grading Day.

¨ The launch of fledgling International Level Programs in both Rhythmic and Womens Artistic Gymnastics disciplines.

¨ With the approval of the MBC Centre of Excellence in Gymnastics comes the exciting news of the approval to construct the In-ground Foam Gymnastic Training Pit in the Waller Centre. It is anticipated that this new facility will be completed early in 2002.

¨ An exciting development for MBC Gymnastics is the formalisation of the Gymnastic Support Group, which will be initiated, in early 2002 as the Fund Raising Arm of the MBC Gymnastic Program. My thanks to Mrs Claire Nothling and Mrs Colleen Burchill for their excellent leadership of the development of the MBC Gymnastic Support Group.

¨ We welcome MBC’s first intake of Sub-Junior International Gymnasts

- Cassie Armstrong

- Alyce Arrowsmith

- Natalie Cruickshanks

- Taylor Habershon

- Larissa Miller

- Maleny Newman

- Chloe Sims

Amongst the many competitive success for 2001, I would like to recognise our State & Regional Champions, and State Championship qualifiers.