National aerobics champions make all the right moves
Local students have swept the board at the recent FISAF Australia National Championships on the Gold Coast, bringing home an impressive collection of gold medals and national titles.
Facing some very tough competition, Year 12 Haileybury students performed some high-energy moves to impress the judges with eight girls winning double gold.
The FISAF Australia championships recognise some of the best sport aerobics performers in the country and the national event attracts competitors from across the country.
Dual gold medallist, Madison, Haileybury Aerobics Captain, said the crowds at the Gold Coast event were the biggest audience she had ever performed in front of.
“The Gold Coast stadium was huge and every seat was full. There was an insane number of competitors, too,” says Madison.
“I get very nervous at that moment when we are about to go on stage – waiting for the bell to ring to signal our entrance is scary! I get through it by reminding myself that the performance is a minute and a half of my life and in the grand scheme of things, that’s nothing!”
Madison, who has been doing aerobics for five years, says as her team waited for the results and didn’t get second place, she thought they had missed out on a medal.
“Winning a gold medal is a feeling I can’t explain – it’s a highlight of my year”Madison
Aerobics Vice-Captain, Chloe, also won two gold medals and has been doing aerobics since Year 5. She says the team’s national success is due to their dedicated coaches, discipline and the friendships between the team that kept them pushing through many hours of hard physical training.
“There has always been an overwhelming feeling that we are all in this together and that got us through”Chloe
“It was a bittersweet experience knowing that event was our last time performing together and for Haileybury. It was a magical feeling knowing that we left everything out there on the floor for the last time and the hard work paid off. It was the best feeling to be able to say you are the best in Australia!”
Other national champions from the Haileybury team were Eliza, Liv, Lo-Arna, Alessi, Amali and Alexie.
“We spent many days polishing off our routines and improving our fitness levels so we were ready to compete on stage. Our coaches were also key as they all pushed us to do our best,” says Alexie.
“I do get nervous but we all get into a team huddle before going on stage for one last pep talk and once I walk on stage, I’m focused and waiting for the music to start. Some of the routines are challenging and tiring but you have to keep going and keep smiling until the end.
“I was very relieved and proud to win gold in our final year of competition at Haileybury.”
Jacqui Back, Head of Aerobics at Haileybury, says the students’ commitment to their training, even when facing injuries and illness, was key to their success at the national championships. Ms Back was also recognised by FISAF at the event and was presented with a special award for her years of service to promoting aerobics in schools.
“The girls were very keen for success this year although they knew that the competition was going to be really tough. To say I am beyond proud is an understatement. All the teams were amazing and we could not have asked anymore of them,” she says.
