Two Australians elected to international gymnastics committees

Gymnastics Australia has announced that following elections at the 83rd International Gymnastics Federation (the FIG) Congress in Turkey, Kym Dowdell has been appointed to the FIG Women’s Artistic Technical Committee and Petrina Hutchinson to the Gymnastics for All Committee.  

With over 30 years’ experience in Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Dowdell has held various positions of significance such as Vice President of the FIG Technical Committee for 13 years as well as International Technical Jury/Official at nine Olympic and six Commonwealth Games.  

On her appointment, Dowdell notes “It is a great honour to once again be elected to the FIG Women’s Artistic Technical Committee and serve the gymnastics community worldwide. I thank all those who supported my candidacy.

“With my appointment, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to further develop the education of our coaches and judges. This will allow us to provide a positive learning environment for our athletes.”

With a wealth of knowledge and experience at both a local and international level, Hutchinson has been involved in a leadership capacity across the spectrum of FIG GfA events including attendance at five World Gymnaestradas and three World Gym for Life Challenges; presenter of the FIG Foundation Course; participant and contributor at numerous FIG GfA Colloquiums and workshops.

Hutchinson shared “I am passionate about Gymnastics for All and about creating opportunities for people of all ages, abilities genders and cultures to move confidently and participate in gymnastics activities that suit them. Gymnastics that builds community; builds healthy bodies and gymnastics that is enjoyable.

“It is an absolute honour to be elected. It is an exciting time for GfA. I look forward to using my lifelong experience, to see how we can further develop Gymnastics for All; gymnastics for everybody.”

Gymnastics Australia Chief Executive Kitty Chiller said it was an important time for the sport as it comes together to set the path forward adding “we have an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure that all voices, including those from emerging continents are heard and listened to so even more people can enjoy gymnastics. With that in mind, we are proud to have both Kym and Petrina advocating for and representing Australia and the Oceania region.”

Also at the congress, the Guam Gymnastics Federation (GGF) was granted definitive membership of the FIG. As a member of the Oceania Gymnastics Union, Gymnastics Australia has provided help and guidance to support the Federation be formally recognised by the FIG.

Chiller, in her role as President of OGU, presented the annual continental report to the Congress.