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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-07-24 Daily Xml
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CALISTHENICS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:08): Following on from that last fitness grievance, I have the great honour to report to the house about this year's national calisthenics competition. I am privileged, along with Bill Scott from South Australia, to be the national co-patron of the Australian Calisthenic Federation. Although Bill was not able to travel to Victoria, it was great to see a lot of familiar faces at the competitions.

This year is a special year for calisthenics, as it is their 25th anniversary national competitions, which were held in the Besen Centre in Victoria. An ever popular mass participation sport—mostly for girls, but I can let you know that one boy did compete this year in a team competition—at both team and individual levels people from all over Australia come to enjoy calisthenics. While it is unfortunate that not all states and territories could send teams at all levels, South Australia was well represented in every section.

Queensland had lots of individual competitors and also sent a team. Unfortunately, New South Wales was not present this year, but we do hope to see them next year. It was good also to see past president, Lynne Hayward, there. She has been a great stalwart of the sport. The Australian Calisthenics Federation is a very professional association and this year they introduced IT by having it webcammed worldwide with girls from all over the world tuning in and they used Twitterfeed and Facebook as well for the results.

I commend president, Liz Kratzel, and her committee of management for all their work and a job very well done. I also acknowledge and thank the Victorian organising committee, led by convenor Judy Seedman and all the volunteers who worked in every capacity, the associates in the technical area (and in a competition this size there are very good many technical assistants) and event sponsors—the Besen Centre, Australian Sports Commission, the state government of Victoria, Victoria Health, Instinctive Graphics, and No Fuss Solutions. I know everyone will want to hear this. I can hardly hear myself.

National competitions are a very expensive undertaking and the venue hire is the most restrictive aspect for smaller states to put on such a comp. I know South Australia would be happy to host again if a venue could be found, such as the Festival Theatre, at an affordable rate and considering the costs that competitors, families and supporters face flying and staying interstate, in most cases, for what is a four day-competition.

There were many highlights. Natasha Parkhurst and Amy Bickford achieved the highest level in calisthenics, the gold medal with honours. The inaugural diamond adjudicator award was given to Brenda Green, who has spent 50 years supporting calisthenics at almost every level.

Life membership was bestowed on Liz Kratzel and the CVI president, Joy Smith. Many people, competitors and support crews were recognised for five and 10 year service and many people already have served that long and longer in many capacities.

In individual competitions there were some sensational performances. SA's Chelsea Bauwmann won a third in junior graceful solo open section, coached by Melissa Daysh, and Isabella Treloar a fifth, coached by Rebecca Norsworthy. Junior cali solo was won by Isabella Cimarosti, coached by Danae McGregor and Ashleigh Banning was coached by Amy Hofmeyer into second place.

The intermediate graceful saw Hayley Thomas, coached by Barbara Prizrenac placed fourth in the open division and the senior graceful was won by Queensland competitor Jess Chalmers. Intermediate cali duo saw South Australian winners, Emily Sutherland and Sara Bartholomew, coached by Kayla Kearney, and Eliza Jessup and Emmaline Edwards, coached by Annika Sellen, placed third. The senior cali solo was won by WA's Ashley Shroeder.

In teams, South Australian juniors coached by Melissa Daysh, assisted by Natalie Flemming and Amy Grace-Phillips, won their section. South Australian sub juniors were narrowly beaten to second place by Western Australia. South Australia is coached by Nikki Ianunzio, assisted by Kieran White and Kayla Kearney and demonstrator Taylor Evans.

South Australian seniors were a very close second to Victoria, coached by Sarah Talbot and Carly Davey, assisted by Kim Ritter. South Australian intermediates won a very close comp coached by Rebecca Norsworthy, assisted by Amy Hofmeyer. WA was placed second, Victoria third and the ACT fourth in what was a nailbiting finish to a wonderful competition.

I urge all members to get involved with their local calisthenics club. Unless you have had the pleasure to witness a cali competition or concert, you have missed out completely. A state tradition here in South Australia, calisthenics is a wonderful sport that gives competitors many great options. The health and fitness benefits are obvious, while the confidence, performance skills and friendships are lifelong gifts.

I would like to thank CASA (Calisthenics Association of South Australia) for always facilitating arrangements for me to accompany them and for the honours of patron and life membership which they have bestowed on me. I thank Bev Daysh and Carolyn Fortune who always keep me in the right place at the right time at comps. It was good to see so many familiar faces from local clubs supporting their girls. Thanks to every participant at national and local level, calisthenics is a great joy. Thanks also to the club and CASA officials and to all the families who give their daughters the opportunity to enjoy their sport.

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