Club's first gymnast to make SA team

STAFF REPORTER

AFTER trying for years to make the South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) team, young Port Alfred gymnast Taylor du Plessis was recently selected and took part in an international competition in Pretoria.

Taylor, a member of the Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club (SCGC), represented South Africa as a senior double mini women's trampoline gymnast at the SAGF Zone VI competition.

She had the opportunity to compete against gymnasts from Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Her coach Carol-Ann Stiekema said it was a special development competition to give gymnasts who have never had the opportunity before, to compete against other countries, in SAGF colours.

"Taylor is the first member in the history of our club, to represent SAGF at this level on double mini trampoline,” said an excited Stiekema.

"This is a great achievement, especially in view of the fact that until now her focus has been primarily on artistic gymnastics, and that her trampoline training has merely been an additional discipline.”

As a result of being selected for this team, Taylor decided to go for additional training, taking time off her normal schedule to travel to Port Elizabeth to train with coach Jean Viviers of Gymstars.

Stiekema said usually the cost of entering international competitions is prohibitive but thanks to generous contributions from the community at the SCGC annual concert, Taylor was able to take part. Taylor wanted to thank

Both Taylor and her coach expressed gratitude to those who sponsored her trip. Stiekema also thanked Taylor's parents "who have sacrificed so much over the past eight years to enable their daughter to compete at this level”.

"Well done Taylor, we are all so very proud of you,” she said.