Fresh from showcasing their talents on the international stage, Tamworth Gymnastics Club members have been hitting the mats hard as they perfect their routines for upcoming competitions.
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First up is the first trial for the senior state team on February 15 and 16.
The Tamworth contingent will go in full of confidence after a strong showing at the Texas Prime Meet as part of their recent tour to the US.
Of the 17 gymnasts that travelled over, 14 placed in the top 10 overall on their respective levels, their efforts yielding four gold medals, seven silver, four bronze and more than 20 fourth-10th places.
Amber Downes led the way taking out first place overall in her Level 8 division. She brought home a full set of medals, also winning silver on bars and bronze on vault.
Scarlett Coppala was meanwhile second overall on Level 6, highlighted by a gold-medal winning performance on the beam, and also helped the Level 6 team win silver.
Fellow Level 6 gymnasts Chloe Bateup and Piper Swalwell (both on vault) also won gold while Jemma Baker (vault Level 8), Lashay Connor (floor Level 6), Gabi Siddons (vault Level 6) and Emma Byrne (vault and floor Level 6) finished with silver medals.
Connor (beam Level 6) and Bateup (bars Level 6) also both picked up bronze, along with Sidney Turner (vault Level 6).
Club co-coach Jodie McGinnity said the tour was very successful from both a gymnastics perspective and the life experiences the girls gained.
"The girls had the opportunity to train in different gyms, meet gymnasts and coaches from all over the world, and form new friendships with the team from Wollongong who travelled with us," she said.
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"They performed extremely well, which will give them confidence going in to their competition season in Australia, knowing they can match it with the gymnasts across the world."
She said the cultural experiences which included visiting the JFK museum, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Santa Monica Pier, and seeing dinosaur fossils, also made the tour extra special.
They also had the opportunity to watch collegiate gymnasts training at UCLA. which she said was an amazing experience for them.
