Cast yourself into Calisthenics
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Calisthenics is a sport that’s often associated with young girls, and for good reason: it increases overall fitness and flexibility and builds strength in a fun, team environment that’s perfect for building lifelong friendships. However, there’s no reason why Calisthenics can’t be enjoyed by women of all ages.
Ashleigh Went caught up with Jo Farrow, Deputy Director of Coaching, at Cali-ACT to find out what the sport is all about, how Calisthenics operates in the ACT and most importantly, how to get involved.
Ashleigh: How long has Cali-dance been operating in the ACT?
Jo: Public classes for Cali-dance (or Calisthenics) began in the 1880’s primarily in Victoria. However, Cali-dance didn’t arrive in the ACT until mid-1960 when Florence Curtis started classes in Belconnen.
From then, Cali-dance has grown and evolved into the wonderful sport it is today, with seven clubs and hundreds of participants across the ACT!
What are the greatest benefits that young people, especially young girls, can gain from Cali-dance?
Cali-dance assists with developing flexibility, technique and strength in dance, whilst also promoting self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills, and passion for self-improvement and growth. A number of current and former participants credit many life successes to the experience and skills they have gained from Cali-dance.
There are so many benefits to be gained from cali-dance, including:
- Strength/flexibility/grace/poise
- Teamwork and leadership experience
- Self-confidence and motivation
- Health and fitness through dance
- Stage craftsmanship and performance skills
Plus, our younger participants love getting dressed up in their sparkly costumes!
What do you love the most about this style of dance, as a sport?
It’s hard to answer this question because there are so many reasons why participants get ‘addicted’ to Cali-dance…but the foremost aspect is the friendships that evolve not only between participants but with their coaches, families and managers. Your Cali-dance club becomes your second family, supporting and encouraging you. Cali-dance is primarily a team-based sport and participants become quite close, both in and outside of the sport – these friendships often last a lifetime!
Many of our participants also go on to undertake coaching careers within Cali-dance; this provides significant experience in leadership and management which are great life skills for entering the workforce down the track.
For those new to Cali-dance, what does it involve?
Cali-dance teams compete in five physical routines: a ballet-style dance, a precision march, two different apparatus manipulation routines involving clubs and rods, and a gymnastics-like routine called free exercises. Additional fancy routines involve singing and acting as an additional dimension.
All items are choreographed to exciting music by coaches fully accredited with the Australian Sports Commission.
What kind of skills does it require, and help to build?
Cali-dance combines the skills of gymnastics, ballet and modern dancing into a visually stunning competitive activity for all ages. It enhances a child’s flexibility, their poise and grace, and their strength and agility and it teaches them how to work effectively in a team.
The participants don’t need to have dance experience to join; Cali-dances awesome coaches teach the girls what they need to know and how to build on existing skills.
Where are the clubs located in the ACT?
Our clubs are reasonably evenly spread out across the ACT to make it easy for everyone to participate; all suburbs are catered for and we accept participants from across the border in Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and other NSW localities. There will be a club waiting to welcome you aboard near you – check out the Cali Act website.
When do the terms run?
Cali-dance runs over three school terms, from February until around September (some clubs choose to compete in interstate competition in October). Classes are generally weekly, with competitions held over weekends throughout the year.
Whilst it can be seen as a long commitment, key important dates and competitions are generally available at the beginning of the year, to help with planning and other lifestyle factors.
What levels of Calid-dance are on offer?
We have age divisions for everyone:
- Tinies – 7 years and under
- Sub-Juniors – 10 years and under
- Juniors – 13 years and under
- Intermediates – 16 years and under
- Seniors – 16 years and over (no maximum)
We also offer a Representative Team who travels to the ACF Calisthenics Nationals each year – this is something many of our participants aspire to and is a great achievement!
If you’re interested in seeing Cali-dance in action, be sure to come and watch the ACT Representative Team Showcase on Saturday 13 June from 3pm at Erindale Theatre – it will be a show not to be missed!
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