Now... time to bring out the big guns. Our Freestylist's begin to warm-up during the lunch break. It’s like moving art – seeing all of the flying batons and coloured leotards decorate the floor. Before you know it, our Norway Freestylist's prove their worthiness and our Masters category bring back some of our favourite athletes – who totally still have it! It’s Claudia Cicco, Jessica Colless and Adam Gates who are announced as the Junior, Senior and Adult winners respectively. They would then have time to prepare themselves to compete for the famous Freestyle Champion of Champions title the next day.
The Pairs section was next on the agenda. From pretty, to jazz, to heart-felt – we saw it all. The costumes were amazing and each pair brought their A-game. Talk about hating to be a judge!
With all of the heavily baton-focused routines complete for the day, it was now time to move onto a different category of baton twirling – Dancetwirl. Just in case you didn’t know it yet, Australian’s love Dancetwirl! With so many to present, we skipped the warm-up! Our athletes danced all kinds of their favourite styles – jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop and more. Everybody brought their own individuality and entertainment factor to the floor – a delight for the crowd to watch and the judges to judge!
Our last routine for the night was the all-famous Specialised! A routine that virtually every athlete participates in, from 3 year olds, to coaches! If the crowd hadn’t laughed at some point throughout the day yet, they were guaranteed to laugh now. You may have seen some of our clubs’ photos on Facebook already, but there was certainly no shortage of slap-stick! From Ghoast Busters and We Speak No Americana, to Moulin Rouge and Magic Carpet Rides – every routine was a totally different genre. Some of the props used included pom-poms, maracas, a moving bush, hoops and just about anything you could think of! What an end to such a great day of competition. As dinner plans are made, parents scurry to get their kids ready to go home and get a good night's rest to prepare for Sunday…
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
2010 Australian National Championships - Part One
Well-earned medals and trophies are now on display in the homes of Australia’s best baton twirlers. So just how did the Australia’s National Championships unfold?
It’s Friday 1st October and athletes make their way into the Central Queensland University gym. As committee members trickle out the of the AGM, athletes can be found in every corridor and corner of the gym applying make-up, spraying hair, stretching muscles and twirling batons.
The 2011 Florida International Cup trials are about to take place! Solo, Two-baton, Three-baton, Artistic twirl and pairs – the crowd take their seat to witness a sneak preview of what the 2011 Australian squad will bring to the table. With no lack of willing and hopeful competitors, the trials are a great success! To the athletes dismay, they will have to wait until Sunday to learn just how they faired. On the contrary, freestyle athletes were happy to compete in Short Program and Compulsories that night to and get the hard part over and done with! Day one – over.
Saturday morning not only brought fabulous weather, but many spectators and more budding young athletes. Prompted by MC Glendi McNabb, the Opening Ceremony begins with the 2010 Norway world squad leading the way. Each state follows suit in the respective colours. With all of the formalities out the way, our athletes strip down to reveal stunning leotards of all sorts as the competition gets under-way with the Strut section.
Six lanes of marching pro’s follow one after the other, each hoping to prove themselves. Our winners of the Advanced Junior, Senior and Adult sections then compete for the Australian Strut Champion of Champions title. It is Anastassia Tsaloukas from Easts who takes it home with her perfectly timed marching and exquisite elements! It’s now time for our Soloists to take to the floor. The competition heats up as we see big tricks, intricate rolls and fast contact – what a sight. Soon enough it’s time for the winner of the Solo Champion of Champions title to be announced. Shalina Ball from Eastern Star is awarded the title by impressing them all with her extensive rolls sections and make-them-look-so-easy tricks!
It’s a quick costume change for those in the One-baton section. Showing off their body work and baton technique, this section comes to a close with Carly Scullion of Sutherland being rewarded the One-baton Champion of Champions trophy after a beautiful display. It’s soon time for our talented Two-baton and Three-baton athletes to Wow the crowd. With look-at-me costumes, tricks galore and very concentrated faces, it is the young Abbey McNabb of Bexley club and her trickery that earns herself the title of Two-baton Champion of Champions!
It’s Friday 1st October and athletes make their way into the Central Queensland University gym. As committee members trickle out the of the AGM, athletes can be found in every corridor and corner of the gym applying make-up, spraying hair, stretching muscles and twirling batons.
The 2011 Florida International Cup trials are about to take place! Solo, Two-baton, Three-baton, Artistic twirl and pairs – the crowd take their seat to witness a sneak preview of what the 2011 Australian squad will bring to the table. With no lack of willing and hopeful competitors, the trials are a great success! To the athletes dismay, they will have to wait until Sunday to learn just how they faired. On the contrary, freestyle athletes were happy to compete in Short Program and Compulsories that night to and get the hard part over and done with! Day one – over.
Saturday morning not only brought fabulous weather, but many spectators and more budding young athletes. Prompted by MC Glendi McNabb, the Opening Ceremony begins with the 2010 Norway world squad leading the way. Each state follows suit in the respective colours. With all of the formalities out the way, our athletes strip down to reveal stunning leotards of all sorts as the competition gets under-way with the Strut section.
Six lanes of marching pro’s follow one after the other, each hoping to prove themselves. Our winners of the Advanced Junior, Senior and Adult sections then compete for the Australian Strut Champion of Champions title. It is Anastassia Tsaloukas from Easts who takes it home with her perfectly timed marching and exquisite elements! It’s now time for our Soloists to take to the floor. The competition heats up as we see big tricks, intricate rolls and fast contact – what a sight. Soon enough it’s time for the winner of the Solo Champion of Champions title to be announced. Shalina Ball from Eastern Star is awarded the title by impressing them all with her extensive rolls sections and make-them-look-so-easy tricks!
It’s a quick costume change for those in the One-baton section. Showing off their body work and baton technique, this section comes to a close with Carly Scullion of Sutherland being rewarded the One-baton Champion of Champions trophy after a beautiful display. It’s soon time for our talented Two-baton and Three-baton athletes to Wow the crowd. With look-at-me costumes, tricks galore and very concentrated faces, it is the young Abbey McNabb of Bexley club and her trickery that earns herself the title of Two-baton Champion of Champions!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
NBA All-Star is Champion Baton Twirler!
Born: 5/9/48 in Norwalk, Conn. USA
Honours: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame(1993), NBA All-Rookie Team (1971), NBA All-Star (1979),
"As a basketball player Calvin Murphy had these skills: speed, quickness, great hands, ball handling kills, great leaping ability and the shooting eye of an eagle. Like the NBA's heavyweights, he earned the game's ultimate reward when he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 after a stellar schoolboy, collegiate and 13-year NBA career.
He became obsessed with two things: basketball and baton twirling. Surely the only NBA star ever to claim a national championship in baton twirling which he did as a teen-ager in 1963, he picked up a twirler’s baton even before he did a basketball. He inherited both interests from his mother, Ina, a one-time majorette who had also played guard with a semipro basketball team in North Carolina.
Now "Murph" currently works with the Rockets in a variety of positions, including as an analyst for televised games. He has also used his voice as a color commentator for PlayStation NBA Live 2003."
(2010 NBA Media Ventures, LLC)
Watch Murphy show us that Baton Twirling can improve your dribbling!
Red on Roundball: Dexterity Dribbling
Sunday, June 27, 2010
2010 World Athlete Interview – Alycia French. Senior Women Freestyle.
When did you begin baton twirling?
I first started in 1995 when I was 6 years old. I joined the Syndal Baton Twirlers where Mara and Gail were my coaches.
What is your fondest memory of baton twirling?
Back in the day at “twirling camp” Elaine, Shalina and I entered the Talent Quest. We managed to bring the house down with a homey-G rap ensemble which incorporated the melody of Fresh Prince of Belair, break dancing and some ridiculously baggy clothing! I’ll never forget the lyrics :)
What has been one of your favourite routines to date?
I can’t go past our Australian Jungle team in America – epic! The funniest routine I’ve ever done was our Sister Act Specialised from last year that we won Nationals with! But I would have to say that this year’s freestyle has to be my favourite, the song means a lot to me and I just love performing it, can’t wait for everyone to see it at worlds!
When was your first World Championships?
The first time I went to worlds was in 2001 – Paris, France. I competed in Junior Pairs and I remember having to go on straight after Sebastian and Angelique (my favourite pairs ever!)… how embarrassing that was! But I loved worlds so much that I’ve actually been every year since, except for ’08 Canada which unfortunately clashed with university commitments :( but it didn’t worry me too much since I already had the chance to visit Canada for ’02 worlds. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is just so addictive!
What are you looking forward to most about Norway?
I am looking forward to competing as a Senior Women Freestylist and making Australia proud! As always, I am looking forward to exploring and learning about the culture of a country I have never been to before. What's more is I'll gladly be able to join the spectators for the team section!
What is your goal for twirling this year?
This year I want to perform a PB for both short program and freestyle. I just want to walk away being proud of my scores that will hopefully beat my previous individual world ranking! I have already fulfilled some of my goals this year in accomplishing certain tricks and rolls so I can’t wait for Norway! I also want to help in increasing awareness of our sport… hence why I created this Blog and Facebook fan page - I hate to see such a remarkable sport go unnoticed.
Who is your baton twirling idol?
Sébastien Dubois has always been a favourite of mine and I was devastated when he stopped competing… His ’01 pairs routine with Angelique was a highlight, but his freestyle routines always drew me in - the tight baton work and amazing theatrics won me over! Encore!
I first started in 1995 when I was 6 years old. I joined the Syndal Baton Twirlers where Mara and Gail were my coaches.
What is your fondest memory of baton twirling?
Back in the day at “twirling camp” Elaine, Shalina and I entered the Talent Quest. We managed to bring the house down with a homey-G rap ensemble which incorporated the melody of Fresh Prince of Belair, break dancing and some ridiculously baggy clothing! I’ll never forget the lyrics :)
What has been one of your favourite routines to date?
I can’t go past our Australian Jungle team in America – epic! The funniest routine I’ve ever done was our Sister Act Specialised from last year that we won Nationals with! But I would have to say that this year’s freestyle has to be my favourite, the song means a lot to me and I just love performing it, can’t wait for everyone to see it at worlds!
When was your first World Championships?
The first time I went to worlds was in 2001 – Paris, France. I competed in Junior Pairs and I remember having to go on straight after Sebastian and Angelique (my favourite pairs ever!)… how embarrassing that was! But I loved worlds so much that I’ve actually been every year since, except for ’08 Canada which unfortunately clashed with university commitments :( but it didn’t worry me too much since I already had the chance to visit Canada for ’02 worlds. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is just so addictive!
What are you looking forward to most about Norway?
I am looking forward to competing as a Senior Women Freestylist and making Australia proud! As always, I am looking forward to exploring and learning about the culture of a country I have never been to before. What's more is I'll gladly be able to join the spectators for the team section!
What is your goal for twirling this year?
This year I want to perform a PB for both short program and freestyle. I just want to walk away being proud of my scores that will hopefully beat my previous individual world ranking! I have already fulfilled some of my goals this year in accomplishing certain tricks and rolls so I can’t wait for Norway! I also want to help in increasing awareness of our sport… hence why I created this Blog and Facebook fan page - I hate to see such a remarkable sport go unnoticed.
Who is your baton twirling idol?
Sébastien Dubois has always been a favourite of mine and I was devastated when he stopped competing… His ’01 pairs routine with Angelique was a highlight, but his freestyle routines always drew me in - the tight baton work and amazing theatrics won me over! Encore!
Monday, June 14, 2010
2010 World Athlete Interview – Carly Scullion. Team.
When did you begin baton twirling?
I first started twirling in 1992. I was 5 years old!
What has been one of your favourite routines to date?
I have a few favourite routines - last years Freestyle routine that I did was one of my favourites, along with this years team… And every year I do pairs with Natalie Morris, she makes it so much fun to twirl with her!
Which year has been your favourite National Championships?
My favourite National championships would definitely be the year Natalie and I were picked as the world pair. We also won the National Championships that year!
When was your first World Championships?
My first world championships was in 2002 - Saskatchwan, Saskatoon Canada. I was the reserve for our World Team. What an experience!
What are you looking forward to most about Norway?
The thing I'm looking forward to most about Norway is the girls we are travelling with! I'm excited for them because it’s their first time competing in the Australian team at Worlds! I'm also looking forward to seeing the Japanese - they never cease to amaze me.
Who is your baton twirling idol?
My twirling idol has always, and will always, be Ainsley Hunt from Australia. She was such a fantastic twirler and always so calm and positive. She gives us great inspiration and I admire her in so many ways. She is a great coach & judge, a wonderful mum and a lovely friend :)
What is your goal for twirling this year?
My goal for this year is too do the absolute best that I know I can do on the floor - especially at world. I would like to be the best Australian team to ever perform at world and that is a big ask because there have been many great Australian teams represent us!
I first started twirling in 1992. I was 5 years old!
What has been one of your favourite routines to date?
I have a few favourite routines - last years Freestyle routine that I did was one of my favourites, along with this years team… And every year I do pairs with Natalie Morris, she makes it so much fun to twirl with her!
Which year has been your favourite National Championships?
My favourite National championships would definitely be the year Natalie and I were picked as the world pair. We also won the National Championships that year!
When was your first World Championships?
My first world championships was in 2002 - Saskatchwan, Saskatoon Canada. I was the reserve for our World Team. What an experience!
What are you looking forward to most about Norway?
The thing I'm looking forward to most about Norway is the girls we are travelling with! I'm excited for them because it’s their first time competing in the Australian team at Worlds! I'm also looking forward to seeing the Japanese - they never cease to amaze me.
Who is your baton twirling idol?
My twirling idol has always, and will always, be Ainsley Hunt from Australia. She was such a fantastic twirler and always so calm and positive. She gives us great inspiration and I admire her in so many ways. She is a great coach & judge, a wonderful mum and a lovely friend :)
What is your goal for twirling this year?
My goal for this year is too do the absolute best that I know I can do on the floor - especially at world. I would like to be the best Australian team to ever perform at world and that is a big ask because there have been many great Australian teams represent us!
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