Athletes ready to raise the bar at Geelong Arena

VICTORIA’S best gymnasts will converge on Geelong Arena this weekend to decide the state’s best in the lead-up to the national championships in May.

Gymnastics Victoria is ready to host its third Senior Victorian Gymnastics Championships in Geelong from Friday to Sunday exhibiting a range of disciplines.

“This event is really significant on the Gymnastics Victoria calendar, it features the state’s most talented senior athletes competing ahead of the national championships in Gold Coast next month,” CEO of Gymnastics Victoria Robin O’Neill said.

The state championships will feature an array of gymnastics such as Women’s and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics, Aerobic Gymnastics and Special Olympics.

The senior state championships are one of four major events held at Geelong Arena.

Geelong has not hosted the state championship since 2019 due to COVID-19, but Mr O’Neill said the event’s return will be a landmark event signalling the sport’s return from the pandemic.

“For us the state championships are a real signpost for the sport that it is indeed back,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Hosting events and being able to see athletes and coaches together mingling and enjoying competing again against each other is fantastic.

“Clubs have been back training since the start of term one busily preparing for these big events so it’s great for us to have our schedule back on track.”

The senior state champs are one of four major events that are hosted in Geelong each year thanks to a partnership between Gymnastics Victoria and City of Greater Geelong dating back to 2018.

A range of disciplines from artistic to acrobat gymnastics will be on display from Friday to Sunday.

“Over the course of the year we have 2,500 athletes and 85 clubs travel to Geelong to compete over the four events and approximately 450 gymnasts from 60 Victorian gymnastics clubs for the senior state championships alone,” Mr O’Neill said.

“We have terrific ease of access to the venue as well as a direct trainline from the Melbourne CBD to Geelong Arena’s doorstep, so we are again very much looking forward to returning again.”

Two standout athletes have already confirmed competing in the event.

Tokyo Olympians Emily Whitehead of Waverley Gymnastics Club and Tyson Bull (AIS) originally of Knox Gymnastics Club will compete at Geelong Arena over the weekend.

Tickets to the event can be obtained at www.tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au/.