Eagles soaring with victories

Eagles Tumbling Club held its annual Ariel Nastix Federation tumbling competitions prize giving at John Barrable Hall recently.

The first category was group B, level three and four special needs groups, known as Special Nastix.

The special award winners were: Chris van der Walt (federation colours at the SA Special Nastix, as well as the Inga Hollis trophy for outstanding achievement) and Nicholas Leeds, Tristan Chicken, Katie-lee Stonefield and Taylor-lee Hill also received their federation colours.

Participation trophies were handed to Sayfullaah Essop (Safi), Omphile Mokgosi, Chloe van Niekerk, Aine McDowell and Phomello Rakitla.

The Special Nastix is an official competition for intellectually and physically challenged children and is a genuine competition.

ALSO SEE:

Local athletes in a show of excellence

“The children work very hard for their achievements. This competition is just like any other, with proper rules and the children need to obtain a certain average in order to receive their federation colours,” said Inga Barnes, head coach of this category.

“They are my babies too – my reason to wake up in the morning.”

Currently, Eagles Tumbling Club is the only sports club in Benoni that caters for special needs.

Many of the children who attend spend their lives in therapy, Inga said.

“Tumbling gives these children a chance to have fun, experience fitness and be recognised for their achievements.”

The tumbling fun continued the following day, on November 9, with the following groups – two to three, four to five, six to seven and eight and over.

The A group (level five – upwards) and B group (level three and four) were judged as per the SAA competition rules.

The C, D, E and F groups had allocated time slots and age groups and weren’t judged on a set routine but divided into 17 groups and partook in different routines at different stations of the equipment, to show their families what they have learnt during the year.

These children were presented with a participation medal and the individual trophy winners were announced.

Cindy explained that the advantages of tumbling include gross motor development, fine motor development, self-confidence building, cross lateral movement, balance, strength and suppleness, muscle tone development, space orientation and the promotion of social interaction.

“Young children should be introduced to the idea of keeping fit through fun-filled activities, giving them a solid foundation to embrace exercise and general well-being into their teens and beyond,” said McCall-Peat.