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, Chapmans Peak, and we did a workshop at the Zip Zap Circus School. It was a great trip!
Financially the trip was a challenge 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 Alfred, 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

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 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

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

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!

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 tickets were donated by the festival and organised by Sombhulula Services NPO. Transport was organised by Stenden South Africa.

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

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 uprising 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 chance to get a better future. Our organisation started on June 16, 2006 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

Gymnastics training

Our gymnasts are training for tumbling and trampolining competition. The trampolines we use are: mini trampoline, double mini trampoline and blacktop trampoline.

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.

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!

Double mini trampoline

The experienced gymnasts started training on the double mini trampoline.