High Standard In Gymnastics Display

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 3

High Standard In Gymnastics Display

The highlight of the national schools' gymnastics festival at Cowles Stadium on Saturday was the display provided by the Husky Gymnastic Club, of the University of Wellington.

In their tumbling routines the Huskies developed terrific elevation which enabled them to produce very difficult straight body movements with ease. A double somersault from a running take-off was executed by one of

the members. This is the first time that this has been attempted in New Zealand. Items by the Huskies included routines and stunts on the parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse and floor exercise. A hand balancing clown item was well received. The climax and last item on the programme was the trampo line. This started with two clowns who proceeded to show how best not to use a trampoline. However, although they both had great difficulty in getting onto the bed they soon proved that they were more than expert in the art of somersaulting, twisting and buffoonery. J. David, R. Hall and B. Bennett provided individual routines of a standard never before seen in Christchurch. On Sunday morning the Huskies provided a coaching clinic for about 150 local and visiting gymnasts. Their next display will be in Nelson. Some of the visiting gymnasts will go on to the national gymnastic championships at Lower Hutt next week. Festival results were.— Primary school girls: Canterbury. 206.95, 1: Wellington. 194 ". 2: Taranaki. 188.85. 3. Primary school boys: Wellington. 166.4*. 1: Southland, 150.9. 2: Taranaki. 145.05. 3. Secondary school girls: Hawke’s Bay, 196.65, 1: Canterbury, 159.80. 2; Northland, 188.70. 3.