One of Tauranga's most loved entertainers is to star in a fundraising event for Aquinas College Gymsports Club.

Master hypnotist Tony Banfield has two shows at 3pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, February 23 at the Graham Young Youth Theatre on the Tauranga Boys' College grounds.

Tony has entertained audiences in several countries for more than 20 years with his ‘Laugh Till It Hurts' stage shows. He has hypnotised thousands of people all in the name of good family fun.

Gymsports is a generic title that includes artistic gymnastics for boys and girls, rhythmic gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, aerobics, hip hop, cheerleading and a performance group.

Aquinas College Gymsports manager Janet Trusler says it is becoming more and more expensive to run these sporting codes.

'A lot of parents can't afford to pay the prices required to attend competitive gymnastic trainings,” says Janet, 'so these school-based sessions are a great alternative for students to participate in these codes.

'All our fundraising events offset these expenses, especially the coaching and venue hire costs.

'I have to pay qualified coaches to teach the skills because of the health and safety aspect. It is a real struggle to find coaches as they are in short supply.

'Luckily, I have been successful in securing coaches these past couple of years and the results show. Our Aquinas students have had outstanding achievements at local and national school-based gymsport competitions - especially at the AIMS Games and NZSS Championships.”

Aquinas College won six gold medals at the 2018 NZ Secondary School Gymsports Championships. Three individual titles were won thanks to Jazmine Trusler (two) and Sam Eastergaard (one), plus three team titles were won by Jazmine, Sam, Amber Trusler and Jasmine Watene.

Aquinas College took out three medals at the 2018 AIMS Games. Hugo McCarroll won gold and silver, with Zoe Haydock a silver placing.

Aquinas College's Kapa Haka group will run a sausage sizzle and sell non-alcoholic drinks between the two shows from 5-6.30pm to help fund their trip to a cultural festival in Rarotonga.

Master Hypnotist Tony Banfield

Saturday February 23, 3-5pm and 6.30-8.30pm

Graham Young Youth Theatre, Tauranga Boys' College

Tickets: (R13) at the door $20, online $18, online groups of 10 or more $15pp

Book via: www.eventspronto.co.nz/aquinasgymsports