Ten-year-old girls from the South Cariboo Rhythmic Gymnastics Club are taking the next step and planning a big leap.
Mikayla Julseth, Sarah Robinson, Jill McArthur and Emily Glen are competing for a first time on Dec. 14 in Victoria.
“They’re nervous, but very excited,” says coach Sang-Hee Robinson. “They’re ready to show the hard work they’ve been doing.”
The local gymnasts practise for a couple hours two nights a week in the gym at 100 Mile House Elementary School. They’ll be among 40 or so other gymnasts expected to compete in Victoria, doing what’s called a Level 1, “free” routine, which means they won’t have any type of apparatus in their hands.
“A lot of their body movement, balance, rotation and jump and leap [will be judged]. After that they get to move up and start using different apparatuses, like a rope, ribbon and ball.”
Following that competition, the girls are preparing for another one in Vernon in February. Looking even further ahead, they’re preparing for a national competition that starts in June 2014 at the University of Calgary. For 2015, they have their sights set even higher, on an international competition in Helsinki, Finland.
To compete in international and national competitions, however, the local club, which doesn’t officially have enough members to do so, is joining with a club in Victoria. They’ll be travelling to the provincial capital every month to practise a big, 15-minute group routine ahead of nationals next summer.
Because South Cariboo Rhythmic Gymnastics is such a small club, it’s tough to raise money for these types of activities, Robinson says.
“That’s why we’re asking for some sort of sponsorship or donations to help us with travelling expenses. They’re very dedicated and hardworking girls.”
For more information, Robinson can be reached at scrhythmicgym@shaw.ca or by phone at 250-706-2405.
