South African Gymnastics Games (1 - 8 October)
Nemato had 10 gymnasts in the Eastern Cape team, participating in the
South African Gymnastics games in Cape Town. A great achievement for our
young club. We even had a gymnast at level 3 tumbling in the first year we
offer tumbling, with nothing more than grass to practice tumbling. Well
done to the gymnasts for bringing home 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.
The trip was also a reward for working hard all year. We did as much
sightseeing as possible. It was the first time in Cape Town for all
gymnasts. On the way we visited the Cango Caves and Knysna, and in Cape
Town we visited the Waterfront, the Chapmans Peak, and we did a
workshop at the Zip Zap Circus School. It was a great trip!
Financially the trip a challenging for our club. the club doesn't
receive any funding. For the trip we depend completely on donations.
We are very grateful to the donors who helped us out, and to Stenden
South Africa for offering us a taxi. We are still short of funding for
the trip. Any support to help paying back our loan is most welcome!
FNB Port Alfed, Nemato Gymnastics Club, 6222 350 5689.
Our winners:
Siphamandla Baku: Gold for blacktop trampoline 13-14 years
male, Gold for overall best on blacktop trampoline
Lihle Nxopho: Gold for blacktop trampoline 9-10 years
male, Silver for double mini trampoline 9-10 years male level 2
Liyema Nxopho: Bronze for blacktop trampoline 9-10 years
male, Bronze for double mini trampoline 9-10 years male level 2
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Eastern Cape Invitational (19 - 20 August)
The Eastern Cape Invitational was the second trial competition for our gymnasts to earn a place
in the Eastern Cape team that will compete at the South African Games in Cape Town. We had 15
gymnasts participating, bringing home in an impressive number of 32 medals: 15 Gold, 12 Silver
and 5 Bronze. Thanks a lot to Stenden South Africa, Andre Hendricks, and the competition organisers
for making the trip possible.
Our winners:
Bongani Qozi: 3 Gold, 1 Silver
Siphamandla Baku: 3 Gold
Philasande Mara: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
Siphelele Qozi: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
Siphokuhle Nyoka: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
Liyema Nxopho: 1 Gold, 2 Silver
Ayamangalisa Nqomfo: 1 Gold, 1 Silver
Asemahle Trollip: 1 Gold, 1 Silver
Aphelele Hlekani: 1 Gold
Simthembile Bari: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Thando Ngoqo: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Aphiwe Yengeni: 1 Silver
Lihle Nxopho: 1 Bronze
Onke Mangele: 1 Bronze
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Eastern Cape Champs (29 - 30 July)
The Eastern Cape Champs was the first big competition of the year for our gymnasts. It is one
of the selection competitions for the South African Games in Cape Town later in the year. We
had 13 gymnasts participating, bringing home in total 22 medals: 13 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze.
Thanks a lot to Stenden South Africa for transport and to Mandy's Tumbling and Trampolining
School for accommodation!
Our winners:
Philasande Mara: 3 Gold
Siphamandla Baku: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
Liyema Nxopho: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
Ayamangalisa Nqomfo: 2 Gold
Siphelele Qozi: 2 Gold
Onke Mangele: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze
Aphelele Hlekani: 1 Gold
Lihle Nxopho: 2 Silver
Asemahle Trollip: 1 Silver
Aphiwe Yengeni: 1 Silver
Siphokuhle Nyoka: 1 Bronze
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Three Sisters hike (17 July)
On the last day of the winter holiday a group of brave young athletes walked all the way to
the Three Sisters, a group of rock formations on our beach. It was an impressive achievement,
especially for the youngest athletes. The total distance was over 30km!
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National Arts Festival (30 June - 8 July)
Nemato Sports Federation got tickets donated for the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
The most active members were selected for three different shows. The tickes were donated by
the festival and organised by Sombhulula Services NPO. Transport was organised by
Stenden South Africa.
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Mandy's Classic Competition and Camp (25-29 June)
Nemato Gymnastics Club was invited by Mandy's Tumbling and Trampolining School for
competition and camp. That was a wonderful opportunity to get competition experience,
to get coached by the best in the world and to see a silver medallist at World Champs
in action! Five days of the best of tumbling and trampolining was a great learning
experience for our gymnasts and coaches.
Many thanks to the Department of Sport for organising and funding our trip and to
Mandy's Tumbling and Trampolining School for donating us kit!
Our winners:
Siphamandla Bhaku: 3 Gold, "Almost there!" Award
Siphelele Qozi: 3 Gold
Lihle Nxopho: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
Yonela Baku: 2 Gold, "Getting there!" Award
Asemahle Trollip: 2 Gold
Ayamangalisa Nqomfo: 2 Gold
Onke Mangele: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, "You are a Star!" Award
Philasande Mara: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze "Almost there!" Award
Simbulele Mlandeli: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Simthembile Bari: 2 Silver
Siphokuhle Nyoka: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Thando Ngqoqo: 2 Bronze
Liyema Nxopho: 1 Bronze
Aphiwe Yengeni: 1 Bronze
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Youth Day (16 June)
Youth Day is a very special day for our organisation. It commemorates the uprising of school
children against the educational system introduced by the apartheid regime. The upraising
started on June 16, 1976. The police used brutal force against the children, killing and
torturing many. The photo of the killed Hector Pieterson shocked the world. The uprising
is seen as the turning point in the history of the apartheid regime, leading to the freedom
we have now in South Africa. But many youth still enjoy very little freedom. They live in
poverty and have little change to get a better future. Our organisation started on June 16,
4006 with the opening of the rowing club by National Minister of Sport Rev. Stofile. We
continue the struggle for a better future for our youth. On Youth Day we reward our dedicated
athletes for working hard. Prizes for 11 athletes for doing exceptionally well, and certificates
for 43 dedicated athletes. Cake and cool-drinks for all. Four prizes were donated by Child
Welfare Port Alfred.
Athlete of the Year: Bongisani Magopheni; cell phone as 1st prize
Runner-up: Thulani Magogo; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
Rower of the Year: Akhona Quma; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
Gymnast of the Year: Siphamandla Baku; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
Handball player of the Year: Siphosihle Mgcokocha; gift voucher donated by Child Welfare
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Gymnastics training
Our gymnasts are training for tumbling and trampolining competition.
The trampolines we use are: mini trampoline, double mini trampoline and blacktop trampoline.
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Mansfield camp (2-3 April)
A reward for good attendance in the first months of the year: a two day camp at Mansfield
outside Port Alfred. It was the first activity for the rowers, gymnasts and handball players
together and also the first special activity for a large group of new members. It was a
nice opportunity to get to know each other.
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New blacktop trampoline (31 March)
At last, the old broken blacktop trampoline has been replaced by a strong new one. The
gymnasts can start preparing for blacktop competition again. Thanks to everybody who
donated for this trampoline!
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Double mini trampoline
The experienced gymnasts started training on the double mini trampoline.
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