MORE than 300 gymnasts from across the state will compete in Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club’s annual invitational competition at the weekend.
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Club coach Lynette Morrow said it would be the biggest competition in the club’s history.
‘‘We’ve run the competition for 14 or 15 years now,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s the last competition of the season, which makes it quite popular.
‘‘The girls can also pass a level, which is a drawcard for other clubs.’’
About 70 Natimuk club members will put their skills to the test against gymnasts from Melbourne, Stawell, Ararat, Ballarat, Mansfield, Portland, Warrnambool, Mount Gambier and Mildura.
Boys will compete from levels one to six in floor, rings, pommel, vault, parallel bars and high bar.
Girls will compete from levels one to 10 in vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor.
‘‘Level 10 is the highest level of competition. We’ve got 13 level 10s coming this year, which is massive,’’ Morrow said.
‘‘All of the high-level kids will be up first thing tomorrow morning.’’
This year’s invitational will be the first to take advantage of the club’s $145,000 extension, which opened in December last year.
The space offers an extended gym floor and higher ceilings to cater for more activities and trampolining.
Morrow said plenty of seats were available for spectators and encouraged Wimmera residents to attend the competition.
‘‘Gymnastics is a spectator sport,’’ she said. ‘‘People love watching it.
‘‘We’re pleased to have attracted so many level 10s this year and we’re looking forward to some high-quality performances.’’
The level 10s will be in action tomorrow morning from 8am.
Tomorrow’s events will run until 7pm, with Sunday’s competition running from 8.30am until about 5pm.