The NZCAF Sport Aerobics and Fitness Nationals School Championships were held at the Queenstown Events Centre last weekend. There were over 250 school age competitors from across the country competing over two days of intense competition, vying for the National titles.

Columba College was extremely well represented at the Championships by a small but very talented group of athletes. Saturday was the day of heats where every single athlete competes in their respective categories, all with a goal of being in the top 5 in which would qualify them for finals on Sunday. The first Columba College athlete to take to the stage on Saturday was Charlee who was competing in the Individual Secondary Division 4 category. Charlee’s energetic performance earned her a place in Sunday’s final. Next we had Olivia M competing in the biggest section at Nationals which was the Individual Under 14 Division 3 category. Her top notch skills and clean routine also earned her a place in the final. Holly was the final individual athlete to take to the stage and in another very tough category of Under 19 Division 3, Holly’s effortless performance meant she also qualified for finals. With Holly being only 13 years old in an Under 19 category, she held her own which is a show of the dedication and hard work put in from this talented athlete.  

To start off our pairs, we had Olivia M and Zoe team up to compete in the Intermediate Teams Division 5 category. These two have so much fun competing and taking to the stage together and their awesome performance also qualified them for finals. The final pair to compete were sisters Charlee and Cameryn competing in the Secondary Division 4 Teams category. The timing this pair have together is impeccable and they also qualified for finals.

Lucy and Olivia B were also competing in their respective teams and Lucy’s ‘Scallywags’ FISAF Fitness Junior Petite placed 2nd overall while Olivia B’s ‘Girls’ team placed 4th overall in the same category.

After a massive day of heats, we were extremely proud to say that every single Columba College routine qualified to compete in finals on Sunday. What an accomplishment this is for Columba College Aerobics at a National Championships to have every single athlete placing in the top 5 in their respective categories! 

Finals on Sunday saw every single qualifier give their best performances of the season and the atmosphere was electric. It is with such joy and accomplishment that we can announce that every single Columba College routine at the 2024 Nationals Schools Aerobics Championships earned themselves a top 3 result at prizegiving! 

Charlee - 2nd Overall Secondary Division 4 Individual

Olivia M - 5th Overall Under 14 Division 3 Individual

Holly - 3rd Overall Under 19 Division 3 Individual 

Olivia M & Zoe - 1st Overall National Champions Intermediate Division 5 Teams

Cameryn & Charlee - 2nd Overall Secondary Division 4 Teams

Lucy and her team ‘Scallywags’ - 2nd Overall FISAF Fitness Junior Petite

Olivia B and her team ‘Girls’ - 4th Overall FISAF Fitness Junior Petite

We are very pleased to say this season has been one for the books, a gold medal at the FISAF Pacific Open, X8 Regional medals along with Charlotte being awarded the trophy for Technical Excellence, Olivia M the trophy for Most Potential Intermediate and to top it off six National Championships medals. 

As this ends the 2024 season for Columba College Aerobics, what an outstanding season it has been. None of the outstanding results and accomplishments achieved this year would be possible without our two amazing year 13 student coaches Josie and Lucy, along with Alumna Emma. All year Emma, Josie and Lucy have all put in countless hours of hard work, passing on their knowledge and expertise to get Columba College Aerobics to such a high standard. A massive thank you to these three talented ladies along with the awesome parents who have made everything possible.