Delta Gymnastics is sending a team to Idaho this weekend for the renowned Great West Fest.
Considered one of the most inspirational invitational competitions in the world of gymnastics, the event organizers bring in many Olympians to participate, motivate and meet young aspiring athletes in the sport.
Delta Gymnastics is proud to have a team of 16 girls, ranging in ages from 7 to 15 years, going to the three-day meet in Coeur D'Alene. For many of the girls, this will be their first big international competition.
"My goal is to score higher than eight points on all my events," says 10-year-old Callie Foreman. "I want to place on beam," offers Ella Rogers and quickly Rachel Pham adds "I want a medal on beam."
The team members dedicate between 18 to 21 hours per week to train in their sport and perfect their routines in four events - floor, vault, uneven bars and beam.
The Great West Fest attracts over 50 clubs from all over the United States, Canada and even some teams from Japan and Australia.
"The fact that the gymnasts can have breakfast with past Olympians and world champions and that they also have an opportunity to hear directly from them during the awards ceremonies represents a huge inspiration for young athletes," explain Jennifer Dober, head coach of the Delta Gymnastics' Women's Artistic Program. "We have taken a team in the past and we have always been very impressed with this event, it is very competitive, a lot of fun for the athletes and they put on very impressive shows. We are lucky that it is not too far away for us to travel so we can expose our athletes to this level of competition."
Dober's goal is for her athletes is to win the Team Award. "This means that all the athletes have to perform consistently in all four events and show good sportsmanship," she explained.
The girls are focused and ready to compete. Ella Crawford, one of the 10-year-olds participating, said it best, "we practice the way we want to compete."
Delta Gymnastics is located at the Delta Sport Development Centre in Ladner and offers competitive and recreational programs for athletes of all ages and abilities. For more information about the club and programs visit www.deltagymnastics.com
