YMCA Victoria Point gymnastics coach Kellie Trask is one of two Australians selected to attend an international gymnastics course in New Zealand.
The Federation of International Gymnastics Level 2 Academy Program will provide Trask with skills and knowledge to coach athletes up to state and national level.
“It gives me a worldwide accreditation,” she said.
Before leaving on Sunday, Trask said it was an honour to be selected for the course which would help in her personal development as a coach.
“It will give me more knowledge that I can use to help the girls at the club.”
Trask has coached gymnasts at senior levels at the YMCA Victoria Point’s gymnastics club for more than two years.
She hoped the skills learned at the course would help lead to the YMCA club’s having its first level 10 gymnast.
“After that (my goal is to) have a national champion at level 10.”
The FIG course is an intensive, eight-day residential course that includes lectures and practicals.
“We go through lectures on biomechanics, anatomy and physiology and then it’s a lot of in-gym learning as well.”
Trask and a coach from Perth were selected by Gymnastics Australia and approved by the FIG to attend the course.
Since competing as a gymnast for about eight years, Trask has coached the sport in Australia and New Zealand.
She moved to the YMCA Victoria Point’s gymnastics club to work under Peter Dowdell, co-ordinator of the women's artistic competitive program at the club.
Dowdell said it was an honour and a massive opportunity for Trask to attend the course.
Trask will become the second Queensland coach to receive the FIG Level 2 accreditation that successful attendees at the course achieve.
The YMCA Victoria Point and the gymnastics club’s parent support group provided assistance to help Trask cover the cost of attending the course.
