In a determined quest for greatness, five dedicated gymnasts from the Newcastle Gymnasts Academy are gearing up to take on the national stage, representing their town with pride and ambition.
The Newcastle Gymnasts Academy recently made waves at the KZN Provincial Selection competition, held at the Pinetown Gymnasts Club on 3 August 2024.
At this prestigious event, five exceptional members from the academy were selected to join the KwaZulu-Natal team, focussing on the upcoming National Championships in Cape Town this September.
Their coach, Liezl Greyling, shared her excitement, saying, “We had five Level 4 gymnasts and one Level 5 gymnast enter the KZN trials, and all the Level 4 gymnasts were selected for the KZN team.”
The talented athletes who will represent Newcastle on this grand stage are:
- Babalwa Duma
- Vida Greyling
- Priya Kara
- Theophania Mesuwini
- Juanru Stoffberg
As these young athletes prepare to make Newcastle proud at the national event, Greyling highlighted the importance of the community’s support to ensure their success.
“We are looking for sponsorships for the five gymnasts who will now be travelling to Cape Town. If anyone can assist us with sponsorships to send the children, it will be highly appreciated as we need approximately R10 000 per child,” Greyling appealed.
Despite the challenges, these gymnasts are determined to fly the Newcastle banner high.
Greyling reflected on the journey of the Newcastle Gymnasts Academy, which officially launched in 2020 but faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We restarted in 2021 and have grown substantially; we currently have 90 children, who are divided into groups,” she explained.
The academy’s remarkable growth over the past four years, coupled with the immense talent of its members, poses a compelling question: Will the Newcastle community rise to the occasion and help these five young athletes seize their moment at the national tournament, allowing them to realise their full potential?
If you are in a position to assist, please contact Liezl Greyling at 083 306 6906 or [email protected]. Your support could be the key to unlocking a future filled with promise for these young gymnasts.
What are your thoughts on this incredible journey? Share your views in the comment section below.
