No. 2 June, 2004

Dear Gymnasts & Parents,

First Semester 2004 is drawing to a close for our students; a semester of significant success for MBC Gymnastics.  I wish all families an enjoyable mid-year break and every success to our Gymnastic members, in all disciplines as they prepare for major events.

The “Bay Gymnast” Newsletter is published quarterly (each Term) to provide you with relevant information regarding your daughters participation in Gymnastics.  Please feel free to contact me directly regarding any matters of interest that arises from our “Bay Gymnast”, or any other matter pertaining to your daughters Gymnastic / Education development.  I can be contacted on 0414 517 385, or at dowdellp@mbc.qld.edu.au.

Peter Dowdell

Our Gymnastic Newsletter will contain 5 sections:

1          Introduction – Comments from Head of Gymnastics and issues relating to policy and overall operation of the program.

2          Women’s Artistic Gymnastic

3          Rhythmic Gymnastics

4          Cheerleading

5          News Items:  Coach/Gymnast Profiles or Articles of General Interest

Attachments this issue include;

1.         Drugs in Sport – Understanding the “new” WADA Code

2.         Two thought provoking articles

¨      “On becoming qualified”

¨      “Find a Way, or make one”

          Introduction

1)         Please note new “Office Hours” for MBC Gymnastics.  These office hours are designed to assist parents with fee payment and queries regarding MBC Gymnastics; and to provide a “personal” response for parents outside of class time.

Gymnastics Office Hours:

Phone:              3249 9376

Monday           1:30 – 3:00pm

Tuesday           1:30 – 3:30pm

Wednesday      1:30 – 3:30pm

Thursday          1:30 – 3:00pm

Friday              1:30 – 3:30pm

Saturday           10:00 – 11:30am

Telephone inquiries are welcome at anytime;

¨      Peter Dowdell – 0414 517 385

¨      Kirsten Cole – 0412 773 578

¨      Jana Haaja – 0401 876 878

2)         The Uniform Shop

The MBC Uniform Shop has now moved to the new location next to the Hargreaves Road entrance.  The new external phone number is 3249 9397 (phone or fax).

3)         The MBC Gymnastic Support Group – 2004

It is my pleasure to re-introduce the MBC Gymnastic Support Group management committee for 2004;

President          Michael Rice

Vice President  Stephen Holgate

Treasurer          Trudy Sims

Secretary          Barbara Pugh

Committee Members

            Vicki Brady

            Helen Arrowsmith

            Raewyn Crow

            David Murray

The GSG, under the leadership of President Mr. Michael Rice, has continued the outstanding work of the inaugural committee (President Mrs. Claire Nothling) and has planned to host several events at MBC on behalf of Queensland Gymnastics in 2004.  Event Management has been a very effective fund-raising tool for the GSG, and their efforts over the last 2 years has set an enviable record for fund-raising in our MBC P & F structure.  As well as efficient Event Management, the GSG continued to support MBC Gymnastics via a range of services; including Catering, Hosting, Equipment design and Purchase Working bees and provision of support to our MBC students.

During Term 1 & 2, 2004; the GSG were instrumental in many arenas, including;

¨      the hosting of the SE Queensland WAG Senior Regionals at MBC

¨      the complete redesign and building of a 12mt x 12mt Competition Floor Area (12 hour job)

¨      The building of a complete set of 20cm Olympic Matting for all WAG Competitive Apparatus (Vault, Bars, Beam)

¨      The installation of the new sponsored 15 metre “Tumble Trampoline” from WaveBay Gymnastics

¨      The hosting of the “Border Challenge”; an Interstate competition between NSW & QLD on the 18^th/19^th June, 2004

¨      Support for the 30 plus WAG competitive team as they travel to the WAG National Club Championships in Canberra in early July.

All parents of MBC Gymnastics are welcome to participate in the Gymnastic Support Group; all inquiries to Mr. Michael Rice 0404 826 549.

My sincere thanks to the GSG and the Parent Volunteer Body for their continued efforts and success to support our MBC Gymnasts.

4)         Sponsors for MBC Gymnastics – 2004

It is with pleasure that I can announce MBC Gymnastics relationship with out two (2) new sponsors for 2004 – WaveBay Gymnastics and Sylvia P Sportswear.

MBC Gymnastics is proud to be associated with two (2) of Australia’s major Gymnastic merchandise companies; WaveBay Gymnastics; in a major Gymnastic equipment manufacture located in Coffs Harbour, NSW.  When you next visit the Waller Centre; please note the 15 metre Tumble Trampoline; a unique training apparatus designed by WaveBay to improve acrobatic competence.  Our association with WaveBay will provide the much needed support to ensure MBC hosts quality events on behalf of Qld Gymnastics and QGSSSA.

Sylvia P Sportswear one of Australia’s most prominent Sportswear manufacturer, is supporting our Competitive Teams with the provision of Leotards and Coats.  You will see Sylvia P at all our events and I encourage you to purchase and use her quality clothing range for your daughters.

I would ask all MBC Gymnasts, parents and associates to endorse and promote our sponsors at all events and activities.  Your active involvement in positively endorsing our valued sponsors will continue to reap positive outcomes for MBC Gymnastics.

5)         Cheerleading at MBC

The second semester in 2004 will see significant enhancement and developments in MBC Cheerleading, our focus in the General Gymnastic discipline.

Due to her heavy commitments with the direction and leadership of Cheerleading in South East Queensland, Ms Tina Burger must focus her energies elsewhere.  My sincere thanks to Tina who has ably initiated Cheerleading at MBC over the first semester.

May I welcome, on your behalf Mrs. Lyn Parker to the role of Cheerleading Co-ordinator, commencing in Term 3, 2004.  Lyn is without doubt, one of the key leaders in the establishment of Cheerleading in Australia and is currently involved with the NRL in the provision of professional services in Cheerleading.  I look forward to working with Lyn to create a truly great Cheerleading program for our students; that will be a benchmark for this newly developing Gymnastic discipline.

All Cheerleading classes will commence at the beginning of the 2nd week of Term 3, Monday 19^th July.

Please see the Term 3 Timetable for our new class structure/times.  The Cheerleading program will have four (4) classes operating;

¨      Cheer Elite (13 – 17 years)

Monday 4:30 – 6:30pm (LBH)

Saturday 12:00 – 2:00pm (Waller Ctr)

¨      All Stars (10 – 12 years)

Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00pm (LBH)

Saturday 10:00 – 11:30am (Waller Ctr)

¨      Pony Tails (7 – 9 years)

Tuesday 3:30 – 4:30pm (LBH)

Saturday 9:00 – 10:00am (Waller Ctr)

¨      Magics (5 – 6 years)

Monday 3:30 – 4:30pm (LBH)

6)         Sports Chaplaincy at MBC

Following discussions with our Primary and Secondary Chaplains at MBC; it gives me great pleasure to speak briefly on the importance of our Chaplains role in relation to our Gymnastic students and staff at MBC.

Moreton Bay College is renowned for its unique emphasis on the overall development of its students through the provision of a learning environment based on Christian principles.

At MBC the spiritual welfare of our students underpins a holistic approach to educational excellence.  Through the informed interest and involvement of our Chaplains; pastoral care for MBC gymnasts/students; families and staff can be enhanced in the following way;

¨      Support for our students and staff to encourage and sustain positive, focussed attitudes

¨      A caring, receptive third person who is sincerely interested in the total welfare and development of our student/gymnasts

Throughout the year our Competitive gymnasts attend weekly Chapel services (dependent on training obligations) and participate in Religious Education as part of their spiritual growth at MBC.

Becoming congruent, an “integrated whole” requires the integration of body, mind and spirit.  The personal interest of our Chaplains in MBC Gymnastics will only enhance the personal and spiritual development of MBC students and staff.

Our Chaplains at MBC are;

¨      Senior School – Ms. Jenny Busch

¨      Primary School – Mrs. Narelle McNamara

Womens Artistic Gymnastics

Kirsten Cole

Peter Dowdell

Level 1-3 Report

GRADING DAY – June 19^TH

Level 1 8:30 – 10:00am

Level 2 8:30 – 10:30am

Level 3 8:30 – 11:30am

At the end of each term all Level 1-3 gymnasts are graded on their skills that they have been training through out the term.  Each gymnast should have a Achievement Book and be brought to the grading day class.  This book contains the necessary skills needed for each level.  When the girls have passed all activities in their specific level they will be offered the opportunity to upgrade.  Parents will be notified via mail regarding these changes.  Parents and family members are invited to attend this day as this is a great opportunity to view the gymnasts in action.

With competition season approaching the Level 3 team members are well underway with routine preparation.  The new routine structure will be tested for all competitive teams throughout QLD and the Delta Challenge will indicate were our training and competitions standards are ranked.  A reminder to the Level 3 parents that the start value of each routine the girls are now performing are lower than those last year.

Upcoming events: Level 3

¨      Clayfield College – Delta Challenge

¨      Junior Regionals at MBC College

Best of luck for all involved in these events.

Holiday Training – parents, please note Holiday period is for 3 weeks

1^st week – Monday 21/6 – Saturday 26/6

2^nd week – Monday 28/6 – Saturday 3/7

3^rd week – Monday 5/7 – Saturday 10/7

Level 4 WAG

1^st week – normal hours

2^nd week – Monday to Friday 8:00am – 12 noon

3^rd week – No training – National Club event

Level 5-10 WAG

1^st week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 3:00 – 7:00pm and Saturday 8:00am – 12 noon

2^nd week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 3:00 – 7:00pm and Saturday 8:00am – 12 noon

3^rd week – No training – National Club event

International WAG

1^st week – normal hours

2^nd week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 – 10:30am / 3:30 – 7:00pm and Thursday & Saturday 8:00am – 12 noon

3^rd week – No training – National Club event

Note:   Saturday 26 June – Control Test 12 noon – 2:00pm

Changes to Timetable WAG Level 1-4 – Term 3, 2004

Parents please note the following changes to our Operational Timetable for WAG Level 1-4 to ensure that the demands of the new National Levels Curriculum (skill development program) can be met adequately by our MBC students;

Level 4 - delete Wednesday PM training

            add Saturday 10:30am – 2:00pm

Level 3 – the 9 hour per week training program is now compulsory for all aspiring Level 3 competitive gymnasts

Level 1-2 – Level 1 hours increased to 2 hours/week

            Level 2 hours increased to 5 hours/week

Upcoming WAG Competitions

¨      Level 4-10

¨      International

1.         National Club Championships

¨      International

¨      Level 4-10

¨      4^th – 11^th July 2004

¨      Canberra, AIS

2.         Delta Challenge

¨      Level 3-6

¨      16^th – 18^th July

¨      Clayfield College, Clayfield

3.         WAG Brisbane Level 3-6 Jr. Regionals

¨      24^th – 25^th July

¨      MBC Gymnastics – Waller Centre

Parent meetings – mid year 2004 F3/4 Saturday 26^th June

11:30am           International Team

12 noon            Level 5-10

Friday 25^th June

6:00pm Level 4

Arrowsmith Leads Australia to International Success

MBC Gymnast Alyce Arrowsmith has led the Australian Junior International Team to a Bronze Medal result behind World Champion Nations, USA and China, at the Pacific Alliance Championships in Hawaii last week.

Alyce secured her first (and MBC’s first) International Gold Medal at the Canberra Cup in December 2003.  Her current performance cements her position as Australia’s No. 1 Junior International and a leading prospect for the next Olympic cycle.

The Pacific Alliance Championships, a bi-annual major International event features all of the Nations that surround the Pacific Rim, including two of the top Olympic countries, USA and China.

Alyce was the highest ranked Australian at 7^th in the Individual All Around, consisting of 36 competitors from 9 countries.  Her strong Individual performance saw Australia secure the Bronze Medal in the Team event.

In the Individual Event Finals, Alyce again performed brilliantly to win a Bronze Medal on Uneven Bars and a Silver Medal on Floor Exercise; the only Australian to medal in event finals for the Australian Junior Team.

Alyce was supported at this major International Event by MBC Master Coach Sasha Beloousoov.

My sincere congratulations to Alyce and her Master International Coaching staff Olga and Sasha Beloousoov for creating history for MBC in the International sporting arena.

MBC achieves National Success

At last weeks (7 May – 22 May) Australian Gymnastic Championships conducted at Homebush Olympic Site, Sydney, Moreton Bay College Gymnasts established a new level of achievement at National Events.  These National Championships marks the third (3^rd) consecutive year for one or more MBC Centre of Excellence student to be crowned National Champion of Australia.  A synopsis of results follows with a complete set of results attached.  We are proud of all of our MBC students who have achieved both State and National honours during 2004; however may I highlight;

¨      Alyce Arrowsmith and Larissa Miller; out two new National Champions.

¨      The Primary (Grade 7) trio of Larissa Miller, Lucy Dewar and Natalie Cruickshanks who all performed brilliantly in their International Division to dominate the National competition.

¨      Haley Crew and Hayley McGill, both selected for Australian Teams to compete in July 2004.

¨      Our outstanding MBC Staff; Master Coaches Olga and Sasha Beloousoov who capably supported their charges to superb performances; Debbie O’Carrol, Heidi Piccardi and Kirstin Cole who successfully prepared our National Stream State Representatives.

¨      Heidi Piicardi, one of MBC’s high level coaching team, selected both as a coach for Queensland and Australia for the first time.

Synopsis of Results

2 new National All Around Champions of Australia

1 new National 2^nd All Around Champion of Australia

2 new National Team Representatives

1 new Junior International Squad member

1 new National Team Coach – National level

4 Gold medals – Individual Apparatus finals

4 Silver medals – Individual Apparatus finals

3 Bronze medals – Individual Apparatus finals

6 Gold medals – Team Championships

2 Silver medals – Team Championships

1 Bronze medal – Team Championships

Total    12 Gold Medals

            7 Silver Medals

            4 Bronze Medals

Stop Press – Barbara Belford wins MBC’s first “Home-grown” Gold Medal at Rhythmic Australian Championships.  Report in next week’s MBC newsletter.

Junior International

Alyce Arrowsmith

1^st Individual All Around – Junior International National Champion

Gold medal – Floor Exercise

Silver medal – Bars & Beam

Bronze medal – Vault

Silver medal – Jr. International Team

Chloe Sims

4^th Individual All Around – Junior International

4^th – Floor Exercise & Vault

Silver medal – Jr. International Team

Selected to the National Junior International Squad

International Level 10

Jasmine Webb

5^th Individual All Around – International Level 10

Bronze medal - Beam

Bronze medal – International Level 10 Team Champions

International Level 8

Larissa Miller

1^st Individual All Around – International Level 8 National Champion

Gold medal – U Bars, Beam & Floor Exercise

Gold medal – Team Champions

Lucy Dewar

2^nd Individual All Around – International Level 8 National Runner-Up

Silver medal – U Bars & Beam

Gold medal – Team Champions

Natalie Cruickshanks

4^th Individual All Around – International Level 8

5^th – U Bars, Beam & Floor Exercise

Gold medal – Team Champions

National Level 9

Emily Hollyock

24^th Individual All Around

Gold medal – Level 9 Team Champions

National Level 8

Hayley McGill

8^th Individual All Around

Bronze medal – Balance Beam

Gold medal – Level 8 Team Champions

Selected to represent Australia (Level 8) at the International Level Challenge in July 2004

National Level 7

Haley Crew

4^th Individual All Around

Gold medal – Level 7 Team Champions

Selected to represent Australia (Level 7) at the International Level Challenge in July 2004

Coaches

Heidi Piicardi  selected as Australian Coach for National Level 7 International competition – July 2004

MBC Gymnastics hosts “State of Origin” Clash

For the second consecutive year MBC will host the “Border Challenge” an Interstate competition between NSW & QLD over the weekend 19-20 June 2004.  Queensland Level 7 and Level 8 Womens Artistic Gymnasts will go “head to head” against their NSW counterparts in this annual Interstate event.  MBC gymnasts Amie Rice and Rachel Cullen will represent Queensland Level 7 at this prestigious event hosted by the Moreton Bay College Gymnastic Support Group.  Competition times at the Waller Centre on Sunday 20^th June – 11:00am – 1:30pm.

MBC Centre of Excellence Program preparing to compete against the Nations best programs

A 30 plus strong contingent from the Moreton Bay College Centre of Excellence in Gymnastics will vie for National honours in Australia’s largest National event – The National Club Championships to be staged in Canberra from 3^rd July to 10^th July.  MBC is looking forward to a strong performance as they currently hold the 2003 International Club Championships Trophy.

Excellent results for MBC Young gymnasts as they commence the 2004 Competition Season

MBC’s Level 4-6 Womens Artistic Gymnasts participated in their first event of the 2004 competition year – the South East Qld Team Challenge over 2 weekends (5/6 and 12/13 June) at Brisbane Girls Grammar School.  Our Level 4 Team, in their second event as a Team performed creditably to place 5^th out of 23 teams from SE Queensland.  MBC’s L5-6 Team were unquestionably the quality team of the event and placed 1^st from 20 teams, from programs throughout SE Queensland.  Congratulations to our Level 4 and Level 5/6 teams including,

Level 4 WAG

Ellyce Dickinson

Hannah Rayner

Natasha Grant

Samantha Cohn

Britony Swanson

Kirstin Longmuir

Stephanie Holgate

Level 5/6 WAG

Morgan Nothling

Samantha Lavery

Paige Crow

Hayley Nothling

Tara Brady

Tegan Cook

          Rhythmic Gymnastics

Jaana Haaja

Head Coach MBC RG

Dear Parents & Gymnasts

For our competition squad; this term has been an extremely successful.  Our senior gymnasts finished their competition session with fantastic results at the Australian National Championships.

Not only did all our senior gymnasts become Queensland Representatives; a great achievement in itself; we also brought home a record 7 medals from the championships.

Barbara Belford also became our first RG National Australian Champion in Level 7.  Out of 33 competitors Barbara gave one of her best performances and won convincingly.  Barbara also became the only QLD level gymnast to make all 4 apparatus finals and the only QLD gymnast to bring home 3 gold medals.

Rebekah Parker claimed a silver medal in the rope final and was ranked 8^th overall in the Stage 3 Elite competition.  A fantastic achievement due to Rebekah being the only QLD gymnast who passed and was eligible to compete in the Stage 3 Elite competition.

Lisa Wilson ranked 19^th overall and helped bring home a bronze team medal for QLD and Katrina Nitarski ranked 13^th overall and helped QLD bring home a silver team medal.

Congratulations to all our senior gymnasts for a fantastic 2004 competition season.

Our junior competition squad gymnasts have just started their competition season, but already have provided more first achievements for the MBC Rhythmic Gymnastics program.

Our Stage 1 and 2 Elite gymnasts Zoe Little, Madeleine Gerard, Ashleigh Christofis and Maria Georges became the 1^st QLD gymnasts ever to sit and pass the Elite Stages testing award.  MBC was also the only QLD program to have gymnasts sit and pass Stage 1, 2 and 3 for 2004.

For our Elite program, this is an extremely exciting time and shows how hard our Elite gymnasts are working.  Well done girls.

We also had all our eligible gymnasts pass their levels testing awards.  Congratulations to Tessa Horgan Level 4, Alison McCallum and Mae MacDonald Level 5.

Our Level 1-3 gymnasts have been working hard and are preparing well for their levels test which will be held in the fourth term.  The gymnasts are enjoying their new coaches Miss Katrina and Miss Kieryne and it is good to see the professional standards of MBC’s Rhythmic program being upheld by our new and developing coaches.  Reports for your gymnast’s achievements in term 2 will be handed out at the make up training in the holidays.

Parents please note the holiday schedule, there will be make up classes for pre-school, Level 1, 2 and 3 programs.

Holiday Training

Week 1

Monday

9:00 – 11:00am Development training

11:00am – 1:00pm Level 3 make up class

11:00am – 1:00pm Level 2 make up class (Kieryne)

11:00am – 12:30pm Level 1 make up class (Katrina)

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Tuesday

12:00 – 2:00pm QGSSSA training

2:00 – 6:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

Wednesday

12:00 – 2:00pm QGSSSA training

2:00 – 6:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

Thursday

12:00 – 2:00pm QGSSSA training

2:00 – 6:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

Friday

10:00 – 11:00am Development training

11:00 – 1:00pm QGSSSA training

1:00 – 4:00pm Level 4-10 make up training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 make up class

Week 2

Monday

9:00 – 11:00am Development training

11:00am – 1:00pm Level 3 make up class

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Tuesday

9:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Wednesday

9:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Thursday

9:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Friday

10:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 make up training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 make up training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Week 3

Monday

9:00 – 11:00am Development training

11:00 – 12:00pm Pre-school make up class

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Tuesday

9:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Wednesday

9:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Thursday

9:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

Friday

10:00 – 1:00pm Level 4-10 make up training / Stages 1, 2 & 3 make up training

1:00 – 3:00pm QGSSSA training

MBC Rhythmic Gymnasts National Success

Congratulations to all our successful MBC Rhythmic Gymnasts.  MBC Rhythmic gymnasts had their most successful National Championships last week with a record 7 medals.

Barbara Belford also became our first RG National Australian Champion in Level 7.  Out of 33 competitors Barbara gave one of her best performances and won convincingly.  Barbara also became the only QLD level gymnast to make all 4 apparatus finals and the only QLD gymnast to bring home 3 gold medals.

Rebekah Parker claimed a silver medal in the rope final and was ranked 8^th overall in the Stage 3 Elite competition.

Lisa Wilson ranked 19^th overall and helped bring home a bronze beam medal for QLD and Katrina Nitarski ranked 13^th overall and helped QLD bring home a silver team medal.

Well done to all girls.

          Cheerleading

Ms Kirstin Cole

Dear Parents & Gymnasts

Congratulations to all members of the MBC Cheerleading squad who put in an outstanding performance and placed 2^nd in their division for the cheer routine at the SEQ Regional Championships held on June 13^th.

After a delayed start and a few practices on the oval outside the venue MBC was ready to show fellow Queenslanders their routines that they had worked hard on for the past term.  For their first time in a cheerleading competition the girls performed both routines strongly and represented MBC proudly both on and off the floor.  I must mention the dancing queen of the team Courtney Tuttle a stand out performance for MBC which we rewarded her with some goodies from our show bag but I think the girls were more excited about the goodies then competing.

Unfortunately Morgan Nothling was unable to join her fellow cheerleaders for this performance as she was competing in the Team Challenge event.  Also thanks to Anna Murray who along with Morgan was competing later that day was able to perform her roles in both Cheer routines and fulfil her role in the gymnastics team.

This was a great experience for all involved and the team support shown from all participants makes it a rewarding day.  The competition spirit they gained from this event is valuable personally and for the future development of the team.

Team Members:

Victoria Woolf, Sasha Woodard, Bana Blair, Kate Lovell, Lily Zhang, Kelly Huang, Anna Murray, Courtney Tuttle, Lisa Kok, Louise Latimer, Peta Mason