State success for Sovereign team

THE technique, enthusiasm, and confidence of Sovereign Calisthenic College performers has seen them achieve at the recent Calisthenics Victoria State Championships in Melbourne.

Aged between four and 51, 70 SCC members stepped on stage with routines which they have been rehearsing since February.

The juniors competed in the hotly contested high-level premier division, placing second, while the intermediates were a part of division one, also receiving second place.

Sovereign Calisthenic College principal Kylie Cleary said the girls and women showed strong teamwork and resilience.

“It’s been a difficult, challenging time throughout COVID, so it was really rewarding to perform together as a team, meet up with other teams, and get back to some sort of normal competition atmosphere,” she said.

“The State Championships are the pinnacle of the calisthenics year for us, so to represent the club and Ballarat community was a reward for the girls’ effort, and reflective of their perseverance.”

The College’s “tinies,” club juniors, seniors, and masters also performed throughout the week, alongside the juniors and intermediates supported by parents, grandparents, and extended family members.

“Teamwork is the crux of what we do,” Ms Cleary said.

The College has been running since the late-70s and its staff teach a wide range of performing arts to girls and women.

Ms Cleary said the sport has a focus on camaraderie, goalsetting, and working towards performances throughout the July to October season and an annual concert in November at Mary’s Mount Centre at Loreto College.

“It’s rewarding for them to strive to achieve, learn from each experience and gain confidence from performing,” she said.