Moreton Bay College Centre of Excellence in Gymnastics 2004

 

A Year of Outstanding Achievement

 

Peter Dowdell MAT.,BA.,DipT(PE)

 

Our vision at Moreton Bay College is to provide a well resourced and nurturing environment based on Christian Principles that will assist our students to strive for and achieve their own level of Individual Excellence in their Academic, Cultural and Sporting pursuits.

 

Objectives of MBC Centre of Excellence

 

1)            Complement the College’s objective of providing quality-sporting programs and to encourage students to achieve their own level of personal excellence within the College environment.

 

2)            Provide for the complete “In-School” development of MBC students in their chosen sporting field of Artistic Gymnastics.

 

3)         Ensure that the College can provide for its own students and prospective students a comprehensive Sporting/Gymnastic experience from the Recreation/Participatory level to the Elite Level.

 

4)         Raise the Public perception and profile of MBC as “The College” to attend for a balanced co-operative development of Academic and Gymnastic excellence.

 

5)         To establish MBC as the “benchmark” for Queensland Independent Schools in the provision of a “Centre of Excellence” in Sport.

 

Staff – MBC Centre of Excellence in Gymnastics

 

¨       Peter Dowdell – M.A.T.,B.A.,Dip.T(PE) – Head of Gymnastics

¨       Sasha Belooussov – Honoured Master of Sport

¨       Olga Belooussov – Master of Sport, F.I.G. Brevet

¨       Kirsten Cole – Co-ordinator WAG Levels Program, Level 2 WAG

¨       Debbie O’Carrell – WAG Coach, Level 4-10, Level 3 WAG

¨       Heidi Piccardi – WAG Coach, Level 1-10, Level 2 WAG

¨       Kim Sutcliffe – WAG Coach, Level 1-4

¨       Emily Hollyock – WAG Apprentice Coach

¨       Jaana Haaja – Head Coach, Rhythmic Gymnastics

¨       Lyn Parker – Co-ordinator, Cheersport

¨       Annalies Casale – Cheersport Coach

 

The Moreton Bay College Centre of Excellence in Gymnastics is without equal in Queensland as it provides for the Scholastic, Pastoral and Gymnastic Excellence needs of prospective High Performance female gymnasts in one location.  This unique educational program was launched in late 2001 and in it’s third year of operation has achieved unprecedented success for MBC and its students.

 

Success as the International and National level in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics require specific resourcing to meet the need of the aspiring Olympic Gymnast.  Moreton Bay College is pre-eminent in Queensland as the school within the Independent and State School systems to provide a “Centre of Excellence” in Artistic Gymnastics to cater for the Scholastic and Sporting excellence needs of aspiring Olympic and National level gymnasts.

 

 

Highlights and Initiatives for 2004

 

¨       The Gymnastic Support Group has recently completed three years of outstanding success, firstly under the leadership of President Mrs. Claire Nothling and during 2004, under President Mr. Michael Rice.  During this period the GSG has focussed on Event Staging and Management as a fund raising initiative, whilst supporting our students through the organisation of Intrastate and Interstate travel, equipment design, production and maintenance, and support of our Andrews Cup and QGSSSA teams.  The Gymnastic Support Group has been one of the most successful P & F member organisations in the history of MBC having raised $60,000 during it’s three year tenure.

¨       The development of the General Gymnastic discipline of “Cheersports” to complement our Competitive programs (WAG & RG) is an exciting development for 2004.  This exciting girls participatory and competitive activity, incorporates Dance, Cheerleading, Stunting and Team Work, and under the tutelage of one of Australia’s leading exponents Mrs. Lyn Parker; will become one of our largest disciplines.

¨       During 4^th Term the Japanese Olympic Committee and the Japan Gymnastic Association approved a 12 month Professional Development Program for one of their leading young Olympic coaches; we welcome Miss Miho Hashiguchi to the MBC Centre of Excellence.

¨       It is notable, as in 2002/2003, that MBC Gymnastics has produced State Representatives in our 2 Competitive disciplines – WAG & RG, and for the first time National and State Champions in both disciplines.  Please refer to summary of results for each discipline.

¨       MBC Centre of Excellence in Gymnasts achieved a first in the history of MBC during 2004, the winning of medals at major International Events.  Alyce Arrowsmith became MBC’s first home-grown student to achieve an International Gold medal, representing Australia at the Junior International level in the Canberra Cup (December 2003).  Other medallists at International Events include Danica Hilton (Level 10), Haley Crew (Level 7), Hayley McGill (Level 8) and Chloe Sims (Junior International).

¨       MBC continued to dominate Artistic Gymnastic performances at the QGSSSA and Andrews Cup Independent Schools Competition for 2004 with our 11^th straight win in QGSSSA Open Grade, and our 8^TH straight win in Andrews Cup A Grade.  Improved performances by our Rhythmic Gymnasts at the QGSSSA Annual Event auger well for the future.

¨       During the current Olympic cycle (2004-2008), MBC Gymnastics, as one of Australia’s leading High Performance Centres will prepare 2-4 gymnasts for potential selection at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2007 World Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  This is the first time in the history of Queensland Education (State and Independent) that students have been prepared “In-School” to achieve the highest level of excellence in Sport.

¨       During 2004, a second Recreational facility (100sqmt) was opened in F1/F2 to cater for the introduction of Mens Recreational classes for MBBC and the growth of WAG Level 1 to 3 programs.  The improving Competitive density and results of our WAG Level 3 & 4 Teams is testament to the focus and quality of our Gymnastic Staff.

¨       The strategic relationship with our “Sister” program – the St. Hilda’s Centre of Excellence in Gymnastic, continues to strengthen, with MBC committed to supporting the success of the second “Centre of Excellence” in Sport in an Independent School.

¨       The MBC Gymnastic Website continued to expand in 2004 thanks to the skill and direction of Mr. Neil Cullen.  Please visit our site at www.mbcgymnastics.com and enjoy the quality information contained within the site.

¨       During 2004, our top International gymnasts, Alyce Arrowsmith and Chloe Sims earned Queensland Academy of Sport Scholarships.

¨       During 2004 MBC Gymnastics welcomed our two (2) new Sponsors – WaveBay Pty Ltd (Gymnastic Equipment Manufacturer) and Sylvia P Sportswear, one of Australia’s leading Sports wear manufacturers.  Our relationship with significant Australian Gymnastic related companies is pivotal to our continued success, and I personally thank both WaveBay and Sylvia P for their support in 2004.

¨       The annual MBC Gymnastic Coach Education and Gymnast Clinic conducted in January every year continues to be both a financial and promotional success.  MBC will continue to provide educational opportunities and mentoring for Gymnastic Teachers and Coaches in Queensland.

 

 

¨       During 2004 all MBC Gymnasts benefited from the specialist Sports Medicine Program that has been a feature of the Centre of Excellence.  Weekly Physiotherapy visits and twice weekly massage sessions with specialists Sport Medicine Clinic support ensure our MBC Gymnasts receive the very best in Medical attention and rehabilitation support.  My sincere thanks to our Sports Medicine Physician, Dr. Cameron Osbourne and our outstanding Physiotherapists from “Physio Works”, Mr. Andrew McGough and Mr. Warren Briggs.  Ms. Jamie Singleton and Ms. Sherree Schneider, both Physiotherapy students have provided critical support to our students as our MBC Masseurs.  To further enhance our Sports Medicine Support Service at MBC Gymnastics, we have formed an alliance with Sports Dietitian; Ms. Sharon Rochester, B.Health.Sc.Nat.Diet,(Hons).SDA.APD.  We look forward to Sharon’s contribution to the welfare of our students.

¨       The success of the three years of operation of the MBC Centre of Excellence in Gymnastics would not have been possible without the involvement and guidance of key senior Moreton Bay College staff; the Principal Mr. Paul Teys; the Deputy Principal Mr. Geoff McLay; the Head of Primary Mrs. Ngaire Tagney; the Development Manager Mr. Jeff Buchanan; the Head of Physical Education Mrs. Liz Lyons, the Caretakers and Senior Grounds staff Mr. Peter Daunt and Mr. Ian Daunt, the School Carpenter Mr. Peter Thornthwaite, the Production staff Mrs. Kathy Leaver, Mrs. Fran Easton and Mrs. Lois Jones.  My personal appreciation to these fellow staff members and college leaders for their support and vision for the future of MBC.

 

Competition Results - 2004

 

The girls have had outstanding success this year in State and National competitions, including;

 

1.         MBC Centre of Excellence – 2004 National Club Champion (International) – 2 consecutive years

 

2.            National Squad Members – Alyce Arrowsmith, Chloe Sims

 

3.         2006 Commonwealth Games Targeted Squad – Alyce Arrowsmith, Chloe Sims, Jasmine Webb

 

4.            National Representatives – Danica Hilton (Level 10), Hayley McGill (Level 8), Haley Crew (Level 7), Chloe Sims & Alyce Arrowsmith (Junior International)

 

5.            National Champions (WAG International) – Alyce Arrowsmith, Larrissa Miller

 

6.            National Champions (RG) – Barbara Belford (Level 7)

 

7.            National Club Champion (International) – Alyce Arrowsmith, Lucy Dewar

 

8.            Medallists – Interstate Events (Border Challenge) – Amie Rice, Rachel Cullen

 

9.            International Medallists

Alyce Arrowsmith (Australia) – Canberra Cup (Canberra) – 2 Gold & 2 Bronze

Alyce Arrowsmith (Australia) – Pacific Alliance Championships (Hawaii) – 1 Silver & 1 Bronze

Chloe Sims (Australia) – CEFTA Cup (Czech Republic) – 1 Bronze & 3 apparatus 1^st Place

 

10.            Queensland State Representatives

            Womens Artistic Gymnastics

Alyce Arrowsmith

Haley Crew

Natalie Cruickshanks

Rachel Cullen

Lucy Dewar

Emily Hollyock

Hayley McGill

Larrissa Miller

Amie Rice

Chloe Sims

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Barbara Belford

Katrina Nitarski

Rebekah Parker

Lisa Wilson

 

11.            Queensland State Champions (Individual All Around & Medallists)

            Womens Artistic Gymnastics

Alyce Arrowsmith

Haley Crew

Paige Crow

Natalie Cruickshanks

Lucy Dewar

Ellyce Dickinson

Emily Hollyock

Hayley McGill

Larrissa Miller

Morgan Nothling

Chloe Sims

Jasmine Webb

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Barbara Belford

Ashleigh Christofis

Maria Georges

Madeleine Gerard

Zoe Little

Katrina Nitarski

Rebecca Parker

Lisa Wilson

 

Developments for 2005

 

1)            Preparation and planning for new facility development in the Waller Centre precinct and potential extensions for the Waller Centre.

2)            Exploration of new initiatives including the development of an “International School” concept attracting International gymnasts from overseas to study and train at MBC.

3)         The expansion of our General Gymnastic discipline, Cheersport, under the leadership of Mrs. Lyn Parker.

4)         The strengthening and continued focus on developing relationships with potential Sponsors, both National and International.