Alyce Arrowsmith
Interview 1
January 2004

You have recently come up through the junior ranks to become one of the best in the country. How did it feel to become Australian Champion for junior national in 2003?
It felt great, because all of that hard work has paid off.

The Canberra Cup was your first international competition, and you did very well winning four medals. Please tell us a bit about your experiences there.
Well it was very hard because there was a camp and a test comp before the comp, so you had to work very hard and prove yourself, but afterwards it was worth it. I enjoyed being part of the team and the friendship of the other gymnasts.

How do you feel 2003 was for you? What were your favourite moments?
2003, was one of my most successful years, some of my favourite moments were coming first at national clubs for junior international and competing in the canberra cup at the end of the year. Canberra cup was the most exciting because for the first time, i competed against other countries.

How have you found it with regards to building your optional routines, as you aim to move higher in the rankings of Australian Gymnastics?
I think it has been very fun and new, even though I have to keep learning harder skills it makes it more interesting.

How did you begin in gymnastics?
I began when my sister started when she was 6, her coach said i was talented but my mum didn't want me to start at such a young age of 4. Finally, the coach insisted i should have a try, and so i did and then my gymnastics life started.

What do you hope to achieve in the future in gymnastics?
Hopefully making it to the Olympics, Worlds, and Commonwealth Games, and just enjoying it.

Who and what do you consider as your main motivation for continuing the hard training?
My coaches and my family, but also i just love doing gym.

What do the older gymnasts in gymnastics mean to you? How much do they motivate you to achieve bigger and better things? Is there anyone in particular that you look up to?
I look up Alana Slater, and some other russian gymnasts, which i have no idea how to spell, but anyway, they motivate me by just thinking ' I might be there one day ' and how they hold themselves together.

What do you have planned for the next few months?
I am hoping to go to the Pacific Alliance, which is in Hawaii. Hopefully that will be fun and exciting.

Are you working on any new skills or routines?
I am working on lots of new skills, some are quite tricky, thats what makes it exciting.

Have you been doing anything else exciting in the past few months?
I have been looking forward to starting year 9, and of course i have enjoyed the christmas holidays.

What are your major goals and aims for 2004?
To make it in the Pacific Alliance team and to do well at nationals.