Press release 5 July 2006

INDO PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006

Although competitive trampolining and tumbling are relative new sports - the active practising of trampolining and tumbling as a sport, are as old as man, a reflection of man’s desire to defy the ever pervading presence of gravity.

A number of cultures have devised apparatus to send an athlete into the air i.e. an outstretched animal skin being used to throw up, and safely receive the descending performer. Circuses have used a number of devices to show off aerial and floor somersault activity.

Medical authorities and those working with handicapped persons have found many exciting benefits from being able to use a trampoline. At the recreational level trampolining has an immediate appeal, especially for the young people.

Every era produces at least one step in the sophistication of a trampoline machine used. The most modern ones are capable of projecting an athlete to such a height that the top stars can touch 8 -10m high ceilings and perform repetition triple somersaults with ease.

Competitive activity commenced in the USA at the conclusion of World War II. The activity spread to Europe in the 1950’s and display teams took the activity to all continents in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

Championship activity has developed and grown year after year. The first World Championships were held in 1964 with 12 Member Federations, at present Member Federations constitute 68 Countries with a steady Annual growth rate.

The introduction of the World Cup event in 1993 has seen a tremendous interest in the sport with the television companies giving live coverage to most events in this series. The first European Championships took place in 1969. The World Age Group Games, held in the same year as the World Championships attracts a large entry, the last two times more than 1000 athletes.

In 1976 Double-mini trampolining and Tumbling were introduced to the “trampoline-family”.

Trampoline is one of the most breathtaking modern Olympic Sports and made it’s Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It is reported that it was found to be one of the most spectacular and crowd pleasing events. It’s entertainment value lies in the sense of awe, danger, strength, elegance, freedom and perfection invoked in it’s spectators.

Every second year (uneven years) the World Championships and the World Age Group Games take place. In the alternate years (even years) the Indo Pacific Championships take place

Gymnasts located within the European countries have ample opportunity to participate in International competitions and prepare their trampoline gymnasts for the World Championships, World Games and Olympic Games. To compensate the Indo Pacific Championship Competition was established to provide trampoline gymnasts from Non European countries an opportunity to compete in a high level International event and prepare for the above listed events.

Every second year when it is not World Championships the Indo Pacific Trampoline and Tumbling Championships take place.

South Africa won the bid to host the 2006 Indo Pacific Championships. This is a golden opportunity for our gymnasts, youth, sport and country to experience the way International competitors train and compete.

COMPETITION VENUE:
Rembrandt hall, LC de Villiers Sportsgrounds,
University of Pretoria
Date: 09 – 15 July 2006

The countries that will participate at the 2006 Indo Pacific Championships are - Australia
Canada
Japan
Namibia
New Zealand
South Africa.

Japan is coming with a delegation of 94 - included are 3 interpreters. They are sending a very big team

Because all their trampoline gymnasts specialise in only one event. South Africa and most other countries cannot afford to send big teams to compete abroad, therefore a trampoline gymnast will compete on the Euro trampoline, the double-mini trampoline and in the synchro event - this is not the case with the Japanese, they have a different competitor for each event who put all energy and effort into one event.

Needless to say - we can look forward to brilliant performances from the Japanese gymnasts.

Regretfully Brazil, who made arrangements for a delegation of 73, eventually had to withdraw since they could not find the necessary funding. This is a pity - their team included a number of world age group champions.

However, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are coming with very good trampoline gymnasts - Australia and Canada had finalists in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, as well as Japan. In 2000 Ji Wallace won the silver medal for Australia - the legendary, Alexander Moskalenko from Russia took the gold.

At the 2004 Indo Pacific Championships, Kelowna, Canada - Strike Nkuna won a silver medal for South Africa in the event, Boys 13 – 14 years, and Nicholaas Coetzee won gold for South Africa in the event, Boys 15 – 16 years. Both boys are in TUKS Sport School and are coached by the National Coach Tiaan van der Walt.

No other sport embodies the Olympic motto like Trampoline does.

GENERAL PROGRAMME

Friday 7 th and Saturday 8 th July:
Groups starting to arrive

Sunday 9 th July:
Arrival of delegations All day
Accreditation All day
Free training 15:00 – 20:00

Monday 10 th July :
Arrival of delegations All day
Accreditation: All day
Designated training: 09:00 – 18:00
Information meeting: 16:00 – 17:00
Welcome Function 18:00

Tuesday 11 th July:
Designated training 09:00 – 16:00
Judges’ meeting 10:00

Opening Ceremony 18:30

• March in of countries
• Pledge of oaths
• National flag raised, anthem played
• Fun with the Drum Café

 Wednesday 12 th July:
Designated Training 09:00 – 13:00
Function Officials and VIP’s 13:00 – 14:00
Competition 15:00

Thursday 13 th July:
Competition 10:00 – All day

Friday 14 th July:
Competition 10:00 – All day

Saturday 15 th July:
Competition 10:00 – All day
Closing banquet 20:00

Sunday 16 th July:
Departure of Delegations

Tickets for the events can be ordered from Riana Bezuidenhout at (012) 331 3062 or bought at the door.

For more information contact Helen van der Walt, contact details as follows:

Helen van der Walt
COMPETITION DIRECTOR: INDO PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
PRESIDENT:  UAG  TRAMPOLINE
CHAIRPERSON:  SAGF  TRAMPOLINE  TC
Telephone and fax:  (012) 804 0150
Cell phone:  082 921 6301
E-mail: helenvdw@mweb.co.za

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