As a young New Zealand gymnast growing up in Lower Hutt, I competed in local, regional and national competitions, and aspired to compete in the Commonwealth and Olympic games. My idol was Nadia Comaneci. One day I broke my arm and never achieved that dream, but I still love watching gymnastics and train whenever I can.

I began training at age 4 at the Hutt Valley Gymnastics club in 1976 and transferred to Onslow Gym Club in 1979 to train with Bob Fowlds. I gained a place in the Wellington team in the 1982 Junior Nationals and was ranked in the top 10 gymnasts in NZ at Level 4, and was about to advance into elite levels when I broke my arm and had to give
up my Olympic dreams, however I continued in schools gymnastics and won many local schools competitions despite my disability.
 

I returned to gymnastics 5 years ago, and became an adult member of the Hutt Valley Gymnastics Club, and was actively training and involved in the club, until I moved to Kapiti and classes stopped due to public health restrictions (Covid 19). I regularly attend local regional competitions as a spectator, and am an avid follower of major international competitions online and keep up to date with global gymnastics developments and trends. I have done some coaching over the years, and try to keep fit and still do gymnastics in my 40s!

The overall vision of the Hutt Valley Gym club is "For all gymnasts to have the opportunity to achieve their potential". The vision applies to every gymnast no matter what level that they participate. Disability is no barrier to entering the club’s programmes. We are committed to providing PlayGym programmes for early childhood development, recreational programmes for those who wish to attend gym for 1 or 2 hours a week and competitive programmes up to international elite level. To date our highest performing gymnast gained a place in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games Team 2006 and we regularly have gymnasts who attain national 1st, 2nd or 3rd placing in their respective levels. “The club exists so that all gymnasts have an opportunity to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives.”

 

Hutt Valley Gymnastics