Gymnastics Australia president, Jacqui Briggs-Weatherill said their meeting in Nadi last weekend was important for the Oceania region to put in proposition the formation of the Gymnastics Continental Union for Oceania.

“The presidents for gymnastics from the island nations met to set-up this continental union,” she said.

“At the Olympic rims at the moment, Europe and Asia all have continental unions but the Oceania has had no continental union for gymnastics.

“This will give us an opportunity to be internationally competitive.”

She added the formation of the union would allow growing participation and active healthy community throughout Oceania.

“We are really keen for nations like Fiji to benefit from these strong gymnastic programmes. Gymnastics is the foundation of all sports.

“Certainly it will take time to grow like in any sport but we are realistic and we know that it takes many years.

“For example some gym sports like aerobics and trampoline need less equipment compared to women artistic gymnastics that needs bars and floors involved.”

Sports Development

“We will also look at sports like aerobics as Fijians love to dance and it is a fantastic sport to start with gymnastics.”

Briggs- Weatherill reiterated that to grow the sport it would take time.

“We will certainly grow as a local community group and growing it through schools and looking at other opportunities as well. Especially for children to start participating in gymnastics since it is then a ground foundation sport so it can help them grow to become better rugby, football, basketball or netball players and generally have healthier lifestyles.

“Gymnastics basically starts from toddlers all the way through to old age,” she added.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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