For the past 18 months, with support from the International Gymnastics Federation, Gymnastics Australia and Gymsports New Zealand have been working with island nations in Oceania to develop gymnastics.

According to Brooke Kneebush, development manager Oceania and South East Asia of Gymanstics Australia there is the need to establish the National Sporting Federations with the view to creating an Oceania Gymnastics Continental Union.

This weekend, the inaugural meeting of the Oceania Gymnastics Union is going to be held at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.

The Gymnastics Federation of Fiji will host a welcome function tomorrow evening for the five foundation member federations– Gymnastics Australia, Gymsports New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands and American Samoa.

Recently returned from the Rio Olympics, Gymnastics Australia and Gymsports New Zealand’s chief executive officers accompanied by their presidents will guide and support the newly established federations through meetings on Saturday and Sunday.

Kneebush said the vision is to see representation from the newest nations at international and Olympic competitions soon.

“Gymnastics is a sport that has something to offer everybody. People of all ages, abilities and shapes and sizes can participate in gymnastics,” she said.

“Getting young children started in gymnastics can provide a great foundation or other sports and also create lifelong healthy attitudes to physical activity.

“Additionally, gymnastics can be of enormous benefit for the cognitive, physical and social development of people with a disability.

“And ultimately, gymnastics is a Top Tier Olympic sport which offers international competition opportunities for elite athletes.”

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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