Collège Samuel de Missy
IES Josep Miquel Guàrdia
Liceo Linguistico, sez. staccata Liceo Classico “G. Leopardi”
Radyr Comprehensive School
Rsg de Borgen
Salzmannschule Schnepfenthal
1ο ΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΛΥΚΕΙΟ ΤΡΙΑΝΔΡΙΑΣ 1st lyceum of Triandria
IES JOSEP MIQUEL GUARDIA Jessica Gomila and Teresa Pons : 1st year sixth form
In Menorca rhythmic gymnastics is in a different situation from other sports in the island.
We are both gymnasts from Migjorn and we are 16 years old. We belong to sports club Migjorn where we do rihythmic gymnastics.
I’m Teresa, I have been practising this sport since I was 9. I have participated in competitions for years, on two occasions I have won the competition in Menorca and I have been the third one twice.Last year, I was the winner in the Balearic competition.
I’m Jéssica and I have done gymnastics for 10 years. I have participated in some competitions at school level and federated level in Palma. Last year I had the chance to participate in the “Island Games”, in Finland. In that competition we got the third team position.
The situation of this sport is more different from the others, because it is a minority sport that doesn’t get much fundings from the public institutions. The equipment is also quite expensive; for example a badminton racket is much cheaper
Moreover, to federate in this sport is not as easy as in the other ones where you can federate when you start practicising any sport so that you can participate in all competitions. But things are not like that in rhythmic gymnastics as you must have a very high level to have the chance to federate . Consequently, you have to train lots of hours and be really fit. But we don’t always reach that level to have the possibility of meeting other gymnasts and getting experience. . Another disadvantage that prevents us from participating in competitions out of Menorca is that we often have to pay for the trips and expenses because we don’t have much fundings from public institutions , which other sports such as football and basketball have. However, Consell Insular has bought a vaulting horse and a trampoline to help us improve our training conditions.
We interviewed the coach of Migjorn and Maó sport club, Loreto Olives Pons to know what she thinks about the situation of this sport in Menorca.
1. How can a gymnast participate in the Spanish championship ?
She has to be federated.
2.Why do you think rhythmic gymnastics is a minority sport in Menorca ?
I believe this sport has a certain difficulty and you have to make a constant effort , be concentrated on it and be brave. Moreover, you need some physical qualities.
3.Why isn’t rhythmic gymnastics so popular as other sports like badminton ?
It can be related to what I have just said. Our equipment is also much more expensive than the equipment needed in badminton, which is really affordable.
4.Why does not the Council give some more funding to make this sport more popular ?
It’s a minority sport and consequently, you can’t get the same amount of money as other popular sports such as football and basketball. I have to say that little by little we are getting more and more help from public institutions.
5.How many gymnasts are there in Menorca ?
About 150, which is not much.
6.How many clubs are there in Menorca ?
In Menorca there are three clubs: one in Ciutadella, another one in Maó and the third one in Migjorn.
7.What is your opinion of the situation of this sport today ?
In order to keep make gymnasts practise this sport you need time and money, but if you enjoy it , you keep training. There are moments that I think it is not worth going on because you see that there is nobody who wants to fight for this sport, I mean, coaches , and then you wonder what it is all this for if no other coach will be involved when you retire. However, I am not that pessimistic; now we can see some results , and things are better than a few years ago. I will go on until I can !
