IDP Clinic Perth July 18 to 20 2011 Part 1

Monday, 25 July 2011

For the final time the GA International Development Program (IDP) Clinic was held in Perth following the Australian Championships. 99 of our best young gymnasts and their personal coaches attended the clinic representing 16 different High Performance programs from around the country.

The clinic was lead by National Junior Development Co-ordinator Jo Richards with experienced coaches – National Coach – Peggy Liddick, WAIS coaches Nikolai Lapchine and Peter Abbott, Acrobatics expert Melic Tishobaev and National Choreographer Stacey Umeh leading the technical direction on each apparatus.

All of the participating gymnasts actively compete in the IDP and were selected from their performances and ranking on the National IDEAL Skills test. The focus of the clinic was refining the girls' basic techniques whilst also extending them in appropriate areas of advanced skill development.

The clinic was divided into two groups: Clinic 1 and 2, clinics trained 5 full training sessions over the 3 days – so it was a busy schedule for their coaches!

Also held during the three days was an intensive coach’s workshop. The focus of the workshop was tumbling technique with Melic and then uneven bars with Peter Abbott, focusing on the ‘L grip’ family of skills.

During the clinic all girls participated in physical testing. Congratuations to the following girls who excelled to be named the best physically prepared gymnasts for each age group:

13 years
And overall Physical Test Champion - Emma Curry (MLC), Tamika Jones (QAS) and Grace Sheppard (QAS)
12 years
Eden Tarvit (QAS), Brooke Callcott (WAIS) and Eliza Freeman (WGC)
11 years
Demitria Andrellos (SA Gymjets), Aya Meggs (WAIS) and Nikita Hartley-Marshner (SA Gymjets)
10 years
Aliesha Koloi (QAS), Lily Gresele (WAIS) and Jade Vella-Wright (MLC)
9 years
Dayna Sulaiman (WAIS), Kiara Johnson (MLC) and Leah Ward (Castle Hill RSL)

Special acknowledgement to the following gymnasts who scored 10/10 for 3 or more of their physical tests:

· Emma Curry (MLC)
· Tamika Jones (QAS)
· Grace Sheppard (QAS)
· Georgia Ruehlemann (SA Gymjets)
· Desnee Richter (Epping)
· Eden Tarvit (QAS)
· Brooke Callcott (WAIS)
· Eliza Freeman (WGC)
· Rianna Mizzen (QAS)
· Darcy Norman (WAIS)
· Maria Rivas (SA Gymjets)
· Demitria Andrellos (SA Gymjets)
· Aya Meggs (WAIS)
· Fiona Wallace (Castle Hill RSL)
· Hannah Tam (Castle Hill RSL)
· Aliesha Koloi (QAS)
Look out for Part 2 of this report – next week - Other highlights from the clinic including:

- Team Future Squad 2011 and Team Future High Achievers 2011 for the Jan-June period were announced.
- The clinic wrapped up girls with a demonstration by the girls with some outstanding skills – congratulations girls! Then all girls performing their dance that they had been working on with National Team Choreographer – Stacey Umeh.