Taree gymnastics coach Penny Schubert has been awarded VIP recognition of distinguished service from Gymnastics NSW.
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The award recognises her volunteer work over the past few years with Gymnastics NSW, which has included coaching teams to go overseas, running workshops and assisting at major events (she’s also done work for Gymnastics Australia), presenting courses, adjudicating various events and more.
Her contribution comes on top of her commitment as head coach at PCYC Taree, which sees her overseeing the team of coaches and help them development themselves as well.
“A lot of education and exciting event opportunities happen in Sydney,” she said.
“I love the sport so much I’m happy to drive myself.”
Gymnastics NSW had approached her to be involved.
“I like learning about it and being able to teach other people about it.”
Penny, 25, has been involved with gymnastics for as long as she can remember, starting Kindergym when she was three-years-old.
When she was older she had to make a choice between gymnastics and swimming training because they were held on the same day.
“It wasn’t a very hard decision.”
“I love performing. Performance gymnastics is where my heart lies. Performance gymnastics is what has taken me all over the world and introduced me to so many people and new friends.”
Her first trip overseas was in 2007 when, as part of the Gymaroos, she performed at the Gymnaestrada in Austria.
Two years later she was an athlete on the first Gymnastics NSW Performance Team which travelled to Denmark and Norway.
Since then she has been on at least four of the Gymnastics NSW Performance Teams, and coached the team on two of those occasions.
“I’ve travelled to Denmark, Canary Islands, England, Austria, Germany and Finland – all because of gymnastics.”
When Penny was 22 she spent a year at Denmark’s international gymnastics school ‘højskole’, boarding at the school and learning about leadership, sports management, gymnastics and the Danish language.
She has also been involved in choreographing the finale of the Gymnastics Australia Gym for Life Challenge for NSW (along with fellow Taree coach Sarah Hayes), which saw about 200 people perform.
Now she is working alongside Sarah (coach) and Justin Hayes (manager) as a coach and athlete on the Gymnastics NSW senior performance team to travel to Denmark later this year.
PCYCs from across NSW are involved including Auburn, Cowra, Dubbo, Umina Beach and Taree.
“The PCYC was invited by the Danish Gymnastics Association after the performance in the World Gymnaestrada in Finland,” said Penny.
Penny attended the Gymnastics NSW awards ceremony with Sarah, who was nominated for NSW Gymnastics For All Coach of the Year. The club was also nominated for Gymnastics for All Club of the Year.
Penny said she has learned a lot from Sarah.
“She’s definitely inspired my love for gymnastics and inspired me as a coach.”
As well as receiving her award, Penny was thrilled to be sitting near ex-Olympic artistic gymnast Lisa Barnes (Reed) and Commonwealth Australia pommel horse champion Prashanth Sellathurai during the ceremony.
Penny described gymnastics as a fundamental sport that builds confidence, team building, leadership skills (a lot of coaches come through as athletes) and dedication.
“You might start in kindergym or the recreational class and it can help people develop in other sports.”
She explained that gymnastics and body movements help high level athletes in their other sports.
Penny said PCYC Taree’s focus is on Gymnastics for All – for all ages and all abilities.
In addition to her gymnastics commitments, Penny is a qualified PE teacher who works as a casual teacher in local high schools.