A team of 26 gymnasts were selected from across New Zealand to compete in the Singapore Open 2023 – with four from right here in the Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga rhythmic gymnasts Bobbi-rose Holmes, Sunny Davis, Holly Van den Borst and Polina Macfarlane will compete in a whirl of ribbons and leotards in Singapore, kicking off today.

The championship, which runs from May 26 to May 31 has had these teenaged gymnasts training hard at the Athlete Factory NZ.

'They train four days a week for about 15 hours,” says Future Gymnastics Tauranga head coach Nicky Pow.

'[On top of this] We started doing a dance Pilate's class, and then bringing in a ballet teacher to assist with their training so they can perform to the best of their ability.”

International experience

This is the girls' first taste of competition against international athletes together.

For 19-year-old and level 10 gymnast Bobbi-rose, this opportunity has been a long wait after she made the New Zealand team to compete in the Australian National Championships back in 2019.

Yet due to Covid-19, the competition was canned. 'I'm super grateful that the opportunity has arisen again, and it's just super exciting to be able to have that international competition experience.”

Bobbi-Rose is now excited to have her friends competing alongside her.

'We all get along really well. 'We all know how many hours we've put into the sport, so we're all excited for each other, and it's so nice to be able to compete and train with each other.”

Top Coach

Nicky has also been selected as a New Zealand coach for the competition.

Bobbi says the team are grateful to have Nicky training them.

'It's just amazing to have someone so dedicated, who cares for us so much, and we're excited for her because this is her first time becoming a NZ coach.”

Rhythmic gymnasts Holly Van Den Borst, Sunny Davis, Bobbi-rose Holmes and Polina MacFarlane will compete in the Singapore Open 2023 during the next six days. Photo: Brydie Thompson/SunLive.

Bobbi-Rose is also forward to seeing gymnasts from other countries and potentially being inspired by their routine, 'but as a personal goal I'll just be doing my absolute best under the circumstances”.

Nicky says if her athletes come back with a medal then that would be incredible 'but right now it's definitely an experience and the ability to step up to further competitions either this year or next year, and just really clear that pathway to podium success”.