For girls who do physical culture (physie), the pinnacle is being chosen to perform in the BJP National Championships at the Sydney Opera House, and Gloucester's Riko Fitzgerald has made the cut.
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"It's every little physie girls dream,' Riko said.
Riko started physie in Gloucester when she was about three years old.
It was her mother Kyoko who got her involved, being a physie 'adult' herself.
Riko used to tag along when her older sister, Kylee started up; Kylee was five-years-old at the time.
It was only a few years later that little sister Josie donned the BJP branded leotard; named after founders, Bjelke-Petersen Bros.
All four of them used to practice stretching together at home and were known for practicing the physie march up and down the hallway.
Even though Kyoko passed away in 2011, all three girls have continued to be a part of the Taree Great Lakes Physical Culture Club.
"Mum always said, 'don't you quit', so every time I think of quitting, I think of my mum and keep on doing it," Riko smiled.
Now in Year 11, Riko is no longer competing among the young girls and took part in the Senior Nationals Day at Quaycentre in Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, November 10.
Unlike the junior competition, where the girls compete at a zone level for a spot in Nationals, the senior girls have one shot and are up against girls from all over Australia.
At first, she was up against a large group of 'second' seniors all competing for the chance to make it to the Opera House.
There was seven heats of around 15 girls each, ranging in ages from 17 to 18 years.
They all marched out and performed five different routines, exactly the same way - which is the key to the whole sport.
Throughout the year, each group division learns a set of routines and during competition they are judged on how well they perform them; based on their skill, confidence and focus.
Riko made the cut and went into the semi-finals, where she once again impressed the judges and made it into the top 15 dancers in her age group.
"It's an amazing opportunity," Riko smiled.
For long-time teacher Lyn Creek it's hard to contain the excitement.
"She is an amazing young woman and who gives her all to everything she commits to and I'm so happy for her," Lyn said.
Riko will join the other competitors in the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House on the evening of Tuesday, November 26 where the Grand Champion will be named.
And even though it's technically a competition, Riko looks at it as more of a showcase of the sport.
She is, however, very nervous.
She'll be learning a few new moves not long before taking to a stage she's never performed on.
"I've never been there to watch it before, so I don't know what to expect," Riko said.
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Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
