Sophie Brown and Chelsea Koay are doing cartwheels over qualifying for the National Gymnastics Competition this year.

After both wrestling with Covid interruptions and injuries, Sophie (17) and Chelsea (14) are the first members Ōamaru’s Pathfinders Gymnastics Club to be attending the national competition since 2018. They are part of the Aorangi Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) team.

Sophie is competing at Step 6 level and Chelsea at Step 5.

Each step usually takes one to two years to complete, and to qualify for Nationals a gymnast has to be at least Step 5, Sophie says.

“Then you have to qualify in specific regions with a certain amount of points, and if you do that twice in two different regions, you are eligible to be considered to represent your region at nationals.”

Teams can have four members, and gymnasts can also apply to enter as individuals.

Chelsea is joined in the Step 5 Aorangi team by Waimate gymnast Rosearia Shelton, while Sophie is joined at Step 6 by Helena Shelton (Waimate) and Emily Best (South Canterbury). South Canterbury Step 8 gymnast Georgia Buckley is also competing for Aorangi.

Sophie has been a competitive gymnast for about 10 years, but says Covid struck at an awkward time for her.

“I really struggled 'cause I was like at that point, when you're like year 7-8 and everything's changing, and I was sort of was growing a lot. 

“With gymnastics, you really need to stay consistent. So it was really hard to come back to the sport after six months, and have everything changed. 

Chelsea Koay (left, age 14) and Sophie Brown (17). Photo: Supplied.

“So I struggled through there and had to spend an extra year in Step 4.”

Once at Step 5, she didn’t make nationals, and felt a bit “burnt out”, so decided to take time out and took up rowing for a season.

Last year, after returning to gymnastics and reaching Step 6, Sophie faced another challenge after “breaking” her knee during a vault, which meant she was out for the whole season.

“I landed and it hyper-extended and the two bones separated, and it like chipped all these bits off and the ligaments and stuff were all munted.”

While the injury didn’t stop Sophie for long, she says the mental blocks that followed were harder to overcome.

“Then as soon as I started this season, I did both my ankles . . . I've been dealing with a lot of injuries recently which has made it a bit tougher, but now that all the pressure's off, I'm feeling a lot better about competing.” 

Chelsea says she has a mix of excitement and nerves for nationals, but the St Kevin’s College pupil is proud of herself and her team.

Chelsea competes on the mat. Photo: Supplied

“We've all worked incredibly hard for this opportunity, and I feel truly blessed to be competing alongside such talented athletes,” she says. 

Hers has not been a straightforward path either, with the sacrifices of long training sessions, injuries and “moments of self-doubt”.

But she says every obstacle has made her stronger “mentally and physically”. 

“I've worked diligently, and I'll continue working harder because, as cliche as it sounds, hard work truly does pay off.

“I truly believe having a positive mindset in the gym is key. Whether I win or lose, at least I know I tried and that's what just keeps me going.” 

Sophie agrees being a gymnast takes mental fortitude, as well as skill.

“It teaches you so much about yourself, like it builds insane character. I know I wouldn't be who I am without the sport.” 

The national competition is in the first week of the school holidays, following the South Island competitions.

Nationals round off the gymnastic competition season, and then it’s upgrade season, so there’s not really a break, Sophie says.

“Because you always wanna be getting better. You can't really take time off in the sport.”

Sophie, who is year 13 at Waitaki Girls’ High School, is not sure if continue competing next year, 

She plans to study at Canterbury University and to coach.

Sophie fully qualified last year through Gymnastics NZ as a coach, and is in her sixth year coaching.

She also won an Aoraki Secondary School Sports Award last year for her contribution to the sport.

Sophie took up coaching because she wants to help create an environment where the girls “lift each other up” and create a team.

Sophie on the beam. Photo: Supplied

She credits her coach Susie for the amazing environment she’s created, and says she wants to help continue that.

Chelsea says win or lose, getting into Nationals is an accomplishment in itself, and she’s proud of how far she’s come.

Both girls are grateful for the support of their parents, coach and local businesses supporting their fundraising efforts to get there.

Sophie says the biggest thing gymnastics has taught her is if you fail, you just have to get up and keep going.

“You have no choice, you know? Fall 10 times, get up 12.”