ACG Strathallan’s gymnasts had outstanding success at the 2025 New Zealand National Gymnastics competition, achieving top placings across different age groups and disciplines, as well as three national titles.
Katelyn Daniel (Year 13) was awarded New Zealand 15+ Women’s Individual Trampoline National Champion, Autumn Anderson (Year 9) was part of the team that was awarded Rhythmic Gymnastics Grade 4 Group Overall National Champions, and Emma Robinson (Year 8) was awarded Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Step 5 All Round National Champion, Step 5 Floor Champion, Step 5 Vault Champion and the Tony Quirk Trophy for the highest average Junior (Steps 5 & 6) execution score.
Emma, who also recorded 2nd Beam Step 5, 2nd Bars Step 5 and 2nd Teams Step 5, has been doing gymnastics for six years and loves competing. “I love pushing myself to do my very best,” she says.
Her preferred discipline is Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, or WAG. “It’s like four different sports in one,” she explains. “I get to combine dance, balance, tumbling and strength, and I have to be super fit.”
It also demands perfection, and perfection requires a rigorous training regime.
Emma trains 5-6 days a week and also attends a dance class. With each gym session lasting about four hours, she spends around 22-24 hours a week training. Add in the competitions and it’s a significant commitment.
She admits it can be difficult juggling the demands of training with family, friends and school. “Some days I don’t balance everything perfectly, but most days I make it work,” she says. “After school I catch the bus straight to training and do as much schoolwork as I can on the way.”
Katelyn also acknowledges the challenge of balancing training with other commitments but, having been a gymnast for 12 years, she’s learned to be organised and manage her time well. “I make sure I stay on top of schoolwork, but I also set aside time to rest and spend time with friends and family. Having a really supportive group around me makes a huge difference, especially since nationals lands around the same time as end of year exams.” She considers herself fortunate that her coach, former Strathallan student Emily Knight, understands the pressures of the Cambridge curriculum so can help her achieve the balance she needs.
Katelyn, who also placed second in the 15+ mixed synchronised trampoline, has won a national title before – for synchronised trampoline in 2023 – but this is her first individual title, and it feels so much sweeter given she missed most of last season after breaking her foot in training. “It felt like the comeback I’d been waiting for,” she says of the win.
It can take many months to learn and master a new skill in gymnastics. But it’s the sort of challenge that Katelyn loves. “There’s always something new to work towards, and it’s such an amazing feeling when all the hard work pays off,” she says.
The hardest skill Katelyn has had to master is the ‘half out’ which is a double front flip with a half twist. “It’s been a tough one,” she says, “especially since it’s the skill I broke my foot on last year. I wasn’t able to compete it this season, but I’m currently working on getting it back.”
And for Emma it’s the back handspring on beam. “I first got it late last year and it took until around March or April to really master it,” she explains.
Emma has her sights set on another national title next year, and beyond that: “My big dream is to earn a place in NCAA - college gymnastics in America. And my ultimate goal is to compete at the 2032 Olympics.”
Katelyn has set herself a new challenge. She is enrolled to study a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Auckland next year, but she’s not ready to retire from gymnastics yet. “I still have so much passion for it, and I want to finish on a strong note, not just in terms of results, but by knowing I’ve given it everything I can.”
For both girls, gymnastics is more than a sport.
“Gymnastics is challenging and takes a massive commitment but is so much fun and really rewarding,” says Emma.
Katelyn agrees. “Gymnastics teaches you so much, not just physically, but mentally too. You learn resilience and confidence that help with so many other aspects of life. It can be tough, but the feeling of learning new skills and performing makes all the effort worth it. Plus, the friendships you make are some of the most special ones you’ll ever have.”
