There can be no doubt that Gymnastics is one of the sports codes that currently does not have anywhere near the profile it should have in South Africa.

According to experts, our country has no shortage of gymnasts with the talent, or coaches and administrators with the necessary knowledge and experience, to keep the sport in South Africa at world standard. So what are the obstacles that hold the sport back? Money and a lack of sufficient first-class facilities? Media exposure? All of these factors are certainly relevant.

However, there is good news, because a new spirit of enthusiasm prevails in gymnastics ranks and nowhere is it more evident than at the well-known Matsport Centre in Centurion.

The big news for gymnastics enthusiasts in the Tshwane Metro is that the city, and specifically the aforementioned well-known sports centre in Centurion, has become the new home of Gymnastics South Africa’s headquarters.

This centre will not only serve as the headquarters of Gymnastics SA, but also as the organization’s official National Training Centre.

Gymnastics SA’ move from Cape Town to Centurion brings the organisation’s administrative and training operations under one roof – a practical arrangement aimed at improving coordination, deepening national engagement, and increasing the visibility of high-performance efforts. While the facility has maintained a familiar structure, it has been rededicated with a fresh purpose: to serve as a central space for gymnast development, coach development, and high-performance support.

Adele Heine, President of Gymnastics South Africa, believes this development will open new doors for the sport and that gymnastics in South Africa will definitely now move into a growth phase. She promised that the support services to gymnasts and coaches will improve and that the centre will also serve as a base for high performance development.

The inauguration event kicked off with a performance by several top gymnasts on apparatus and equipment from Gymnastics SA, which will now be available at the centre.

Palesa Modise (MMC for Community and Social Development Services of the Tshwane Metro) was one of the guests of honour at the event and she also unveiled the official plaque in the building to commemorate the new era.

In her speech, Modise said that the Metro also sees this development as a new beginning for the sport and that the establishment of Gymnastics SA’s headquarters can bring great benefits to the city’s gymnastics community.

“We believe gymnastics will now be able to grow dramatically in the Tshwane Metro and that new interest in the sport will be stimulated with the programmes that will be run from this centre,” Modise emphasised.

Gymnastics SA used the opportunity to honour several administrators, coaches, gymnasts and one photographer with special awards, while the organisations’ national 2024 Annual Awards winners were also announced and presented during the event.

Among the recipients of special awards, that of the legendary Elizabeth Smith certainly stood out. Smith was honoured with an African Gymnastic Union (UAG) Lifetime Award and an International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Acknowledgement of Service Award for her service to the sport over a career spanning six decades.

In her career as a coach, Brevet judge, administrator and policymaker, Smith helped expand the UAG from 9 to 38 member countries. She served in numerous roles on various executive committees and was the first woman elected as 1st Vice President of UAG. Later, she represented Africa on the FIG Council, ensuring the continent’s voice was heard globally.

Paddy Chadwick and Adri Koekemoer both received UAG Service Awards for their respective contributions.

South African Olympic gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz and her coach Ilse Pelser were both honoured with Olympic Participation Recognition awards.

Johann Meintjes, who was a world-class gymnast in his day and now excels as a sports photographer, received an Olympic Recognition award for his outstanding coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, where he became the first quadriplegic photographer ever to fill this role.

Also see a summary of the recipients of awards as part of Gymnastics SA’s 2024 Annual Awards on Rekord’s website.

Summary of 2024 Annual Awards Winners:

Acrobatic Gymnastics (ACRO)

• Age Group 2 Women’s Group: Ile Viljoen, Maya Tager, Summer Thwaits
• Age Group 3 Women’s Group: Bailey Courtney, Rachel Walker, Anche Davidson
• Coach of the Year: Armand Koekemoer
• Judge of the Year: Dmitry Demianenko

Aerobic Gymnastics (AER)

• Age Group Women Individual: Jahnika Woodman
• Junior Trio: Jordan Vally, Hailey Hendricks, Leah Slimmert
• Senior Women Individual: Kutlwano Maine
• Senior Male Individual: Tshepiso Motone

Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)

• Junior Gymnast of the Year: Kadin Chester
• Senior Gymnast of the Year: Luke James & Charles Philips
• Coach of the Year: Allan Chadwic
• Judges of the Year: Christo Malan & Riaan Kruger

Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG)

• Junior Gymnast of the Year: Chade Jansen
• Senior Gymnast of the Year: Stephanie Dimitrova
• Coach of the Year: Lazarina Dimitrova
• Judges of the Year: Robyn Mueller & Allison Beyers

Trampoline (TRA)

• Senior Gymnast of the Year – Trampoline: Leolin Petersen(Female)  & Jordan Booysen (Male)
• Junior Gymnast of the Year – Trampoline: Gideon Fourie
• Senior Gymnast of the Year – Double Mini Trampoline: Lenita Kotze
• Senior Gymnast of the Year – Tumbling: Bianca Zoonekynd
• Coach of the Year: Lee Budler
• Judge of the Year: Tiaan van der Walt

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)

• Junior Gymnast of the Year: Syan du Preez
• Senior Gymnast of the Year: Caitlin Rooskrantz
• Coach of the Year: Ilse Pelser
• Judge of the Year: Paddy Chadwick

Parkour (PARK)

• Junior Gymnast of the Year: Christine Lee
• Senior Gymnast of the Year: Thomas Raggett
• Coach of the Year: Richard Marshall
• Judge of the Year: Sharika Robinson

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