The sport of Gymnastics has come to Samoa! 

With support from the International Gymnastics Federation, International expert coach Brooke Kneebush from Gymnastics Australia, last week visited Samoa, conducting “Come & Try” clinics for pre-school and school aged children, and presenting coach and teacher education workshops. 

Schools visited included Robert Louis Stevenson Primary School, Vaiala Beach School, Ah Mu Academy and Peace Chapel Pre-School.

Away from schools, Ms. Kneebush also visited CrossFit Fatu Toa, Samoa Institute of Sport and National University of Samoa  where sessions were held culminating in a “Give Gym A Go” session at N.U.S attended by nearly 40 primary school aged children.

Samoa has been identified in phase three of a four-year project aimed at growing the Olympic sport in Pacific Island nations. 

Development activities have already commenced in Fiji, Cook Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. 

This is a funded project, with access provided to online and face-to-face education, assistance and ongoing support. 

All activities are provided free of charge to participants.

“In Samoa, there is good potential for the sport to develop and prosper,” Ms. Kneebush said.

“Ruta Schwalger of Samoa Institute of Sport and Xavier Martel of CrossFit Fatu Toa visited Australia earlier in the year to participate in a coach training camp and immersion tour including attending the Gymnastics Australia National Championships. 

“Gymnastics is a sport that has something to offer everybody. Gymnastics does not require large or expensive equipment and it can be performed indoors or outdoors. 

“People of all ages, abilities and shapes and sizes can participate in gymnastics. Gymnastics includes aerobics, acrobatics, parkour, aerial skills, cheerleading, tumbling, and much, much more. 

“Getting young children started in gymnastics can provide a great foundation for 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.”

Classes will be commencing in Term 4, so to find out more or to get involved email [email protected] or [email protected]