Coach Michelle Headley’s Summit gymnasts hit the high notes at Fuel to Go and Play WA Regional Championships

Six competitors from Albany’s newest gymnastics club came home with a clutch of medals from the Fuel To Go and Play WA Regional Championships. Featuring regional athletes from across WA and held at the State Gymnastics Centre in Perth, Summit’s super six made an instant impression at the competition on July 19-20. Ruby Welsh, 16, won the all-round level seven event and earned selection for the WA State country team for the 2025 Bigham Cup, back at the State Gymnastics Centre from August 30-31, to compete against Northern Territory, ACT, South Australia and Tasmania.. In her individual disciplines, Ruby took gold in the vault and floor, silver in the bars and bronze on the beam. Her all-round total of 45.300 pipped Sage Whitelaw, of Cape Naturaliste, who scored 43.850. Ruby’s Summit teammate Rachel Turner was third with a total of 42.00, which was enough to be named a reserve for the State team. The pair are coached by Michelle Headley, who was formerly with Denmark Gymnastics Club but who has decided to branch out on her own with a base at Albany Agricultural Society pavilion. The club’s level five gymnasts won the team event, with a stirring contribution from Sienna Griffiths, who also won the individual all-round title. Griffiths’ other team members were Bree Mustey, Ivy Hull, Ameleah Cale and Laura Zovi. Hedley said she was delighted with the performances, especially as Summit had only been operating for six weeks before the event. She said it was also a vote of confidence in her as a coach that athletes had come to join her new venture. The club has already had a visit from Australian Commonwealth Games gymnast Emily Whitehead who came to Albany through Legacy Leaves, a newly launched alumni recognition program for Games athletes. Ruby, who is a Great Southern Academy of Sport athlete, said it had been a brilliant experience to be up and close to one of Australia’s best. “I’ve watched Emily compete so many times, she’s amazing,” she said. “Having her here in our gym, watching us, and actually talking to us, it’s a day I’ll never forget. “I’m even more inspired to train hard and hopefully make it to a Commonwealth Games one day.”