Rotorua gymnasts celebrating their first national championships had their spirits crushed on the final day by thieves who ransacked one of their vans and stole gear, medals and even their lunches.
MIGS Gym took 35 gymnasts to the 2014 National GymSports Championships in Auckland last week. On Saturday, the final day of competition, the team were inside the Trusts Arena, Waitakere, supporting their coach who was competing.
MIGS Gym centre manager Leanette Farkash said their chaperone went to their van - they had four parked in the car park - and realised something was amiss.
"Their lunch and all their bags were missing," she said.
"They cleaned the van out. One of our gymnasts had dislocated her elbow and they had left her medicine and another gymnast's moon-boot but that's it.