Aspire Gymnastics competitor excel at Tamworth Country Capital Cup

The Bathurst gymnasts went up against 750 competitors from across New South Wales and Queensland, in an event focused on high-graded competitors, from level 3 up to level 8 including future internationalists.

Two gymnasts, Michaela Doungmanee and Aimee Nicholls, competed exceptionally well in levels 8 and 7 respectively.

These two girls both suffered recent injuries, inhibiting their ability to train and prepare for such an event.

Coach Sarah Pender believes when it comes to rehabilitation it is of utmost importance to put safety first.

"The girls still go in with the same expectations, teenage girls they sort of think they're indestructible and can bounce back pretty quickly," she said.

"Us as coaches, we go in with a little bit of a lower expectation and we just want to see them hit their goals, and get the skills they need for each level and to actually be able to do it without getting injured again."

This event provides a foundation for the upcoming Country Championships in Newcastle, and, for level 8 gymnast, Doungmanee, a chance to prove her skill before representing Aspire at the Perth International Competition in July.

Doungmanee was fifth on vault despite an ongoing recovery from an ankle injury attained at State Championships.

Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.

Nicholls competed in her first major level 7 competition after a severe foot injury that left her in a moon-boot.

Nicholls still competed on all apparatus and showed off her extensive skill base in several manoeuvres, including the impressive cast to handstand.

"Gymnastics is one of the few sports that is extremely critical," Pender said.

"They go out there and perform in front of a panel of four judges and the judges sit there and they look for faults.

"So it's good for the girls to build their self-confidence and have that life lesson that what they think is good enough really isn't good enough compared to what else is out there."

Both Emma Jones and Sophie Dunbar competed at level 6, finishing eighth and 13th respectively.

Jones finish third on bar and fifth on floor while Dunbar had a strong performance all-round.

Aspire was represented at level 5 by Ebony Pender and Shayla Winwood-Smith.

Pender was second overall after winning vault and finishing equal sixth on bar. Winwood-Smith tied with Pender on bar and was fourth on vault, taking her to 10th overall.