GYMNASTICS - Sparrow shines in big Northland team

A large Northland team of gymnasts competed at the New Zealand nationals last week in Auckland. The team was the biggest to attend the event with 13 individuals competing from the province.
What makes the number even more impressive was the fact that this year was the first time that individual competitors have had to reach a national qualifying standard to earn an invitation to the national championships.
Twelve-year-old Nick Sparrow was the top Northland performer at the championships, qualifying to compete in the all-round final, where he eventually finished a creditable 17th. Competition was intense in the week-long championships with the Canterbury team the big surprise package, earning several podium places ahead of more fancied teams.
Caption details: Northland gymnasts: In front, Jade Adams; second row, from left, Hannah Russell, Tomasin Fisher-Jones and Anna Hewinson; third row, Jodie Burton, Shayla Hill, Nick Sparrow, Kyla MacKenzie and Alice Riddell; back row are coaches Fiona Wilson, Vicki Macdonald and Ashleigh McCaw. Absent: Jamie Barr-Mitcalfe, Vinnie Neeson, Tanya Eugster and Renee Dodds.