Top of the South gymnastics competition tries new venue

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Gymnastics Nelson hosted the Top of the South Gymnastics Competition from their new venue of Saxton Stadium last weekend.

Teams from around the country came to Nelson for the event, which acted as a qualifier for the national competition to be held in Auckland at the beginning of October.

Around 300 competitors from clubs including Dunedin, Wellington, Blenheim, Timaru, Waimate and Christchurch competed in both the competitive gymnast grade, which ranged from ages seven to 20, and the recreational grade which are the sport’s younger participants.

“For our competitive gymnasts it is mainly about qualifying for nationals, but for our younger children, it’s a chance for them to have a competition to put all their training towards – for some of them it’s the only competition they have during the year,” says Gymnastics Nelson centre manager, Natalie Allam.

While there are other events around the country that gymnasts can qualify at, this is the only event held in Nelson and therefore particularly important to local gymnasts who can take advantage of being on their home ground.

Due to the closure of the Trafalgar Centre, organisers had to move last year’s competition to Blenheim. Last weekend was their first year back in Nelson and the first time ever the event has been held in the Saxton Stadium.