MAG Team Including Coaches and Officials

Our representatives this year were level 7open Daniel Bell from Kingborough, Dylan Popowski from Devonport, and Level 8open Sam Crean from Kingborough and Brady Lillico from Devonport. Although we were unable to make a team for the first day of comp, the boys competed very strong and definitely had the attention of all other states.

 

Transport was a 12 seater mini bus, which without Kodee Voss (judge, assistant coach and head watcher) the trip certainly would of proved much more difficult. A huge thanks to Kodee for stepping out of his little car, to drive our bus around the frantic roads of Sydney, we most certainly could not of done it without you. This was also Kodee’s first nationals on the other side of the line, being a coach instead of competitor. Kodee was a great asset to our team, his coaching ability for such a young person was very professional and greatly helpful.

We Stayed at the Lane Cove Tourist Caravan Park, in cabins. The accommodation was sufficient and reasonably close to the comp venue. It also housed the Tasmanian WG team and the Trampoline team; needless to say our new green tracksuits had taken over the park.

 

This year the catering was arranged by the championship organisers. The boys had lunch and teas either delivered to our accommodation or in a large mess tent at the venue. The food was very good, however the eating times did prove to be very inconvenient especially with the late competitions. It was great to have so many parents and friends come to watch our gymnasts this year. The Tasmanian cheer squad up in the crowd was very vocal, and created a great atmosphere, very warming for the competitors.

Daniel Bell competed very strong on all apparatus, and his consistency over the 2 days of competition allowed him to take out 2nd on Rings, 2nd on High Bar and 3rd Overall in the level 7 open division. Daniel was the youngest competitor in our team this year which did not reflect in his maturity as a gymnast as he competed, and composed himself very impressively.   Dylan Popowski also competed well, with some good personal bests and finished a strong 21^st out of over 40 competitors, well done Dylan.

The Level 8 open boys didn’t disappoint either. Unfortunately Sam Crean injured his ankle on the first day of comp, meaning he was unable to compete floor and vault, however Sam wasn’t going to let that hinder his performance, and after some physio sessions and his father’s chiropractic work, Sam competed the remaining 4 apparatus with a fantastic attitude, earning himself a Silver medal on High bar in the finals. 

Brady Lillico had two days of great competition, and placed 3^rd overall in the level 8 open division. He also made the Trans Bass team against New Zealand, and Australia won that giving him a gold medal. A fantastic result!

Daniel and Brady both placing 3^rd overall allowed them to qualify for the Mens National Open Levels Tour which is to be held in Las Vegas America, in January 2013. This is a great honour and opportunity for the boys to represent Australia. We are very proud of them both.

 

Tom Osborne joined our team for the first time this year, judging at many sessions and gaining invaluable experience and knowledge from some of the best judges in Australia. Thanks Tom. Kodee also found time when he wasn’t coaching or helping the team around, to judge some sessions.

John Hargreaves and Andrew Martin were also judging at the competition. A very big thanks to both of you for all the help and knowledge you provide not only to the MG team but to the State. We are all very grateful and lucky to have you both.

 

This was my first year as Head Coach and Team Manager. I was lucky enough to take away a great team of officials and gymnasts that were exceptionally well behaved and always very helpful in anything that needed doing. A big congratulation to the boys, who all competed fantastic and provided a spectacular show, and with the feedback I received from other state coaches and judges, Tasmania has certainly stepped up their game and are well and truly being noticed as a strong competitors on a national level.