Australian Calisthenics Competition 2022

The calisthenics section of the Royal South Street Eisteddfod is in full swing.  Over the next couple of weeks, more than 60 calisthenics clubs will participate in one of the most loved competitions of the season. Most clubs are from Victoria but they are joined by many interstate teams who make the annual trip to Ballarat to perform at “South Street”.

The traditional home of the competition is the historic Her Majesty’s Theatre but another lot of renovations have again meant the theatre was not available. Most clubs are flexible and able to adapt to different venues so there is no drama of instead performing at Founders Hall at Federation University.

As with all competitions, COVID disrupted the opportunity for the dancers to perform regularly. Thousands of calisthenics students are happy to be back at South Street.  In the words of a regular participant:

“It’s not just the venue. It’s the competition. The committee work out a way to make the competition proceed even when we can’t access Her Maj.  The volunteers are friendly and helpful and the atmosphere backstage is like no other competition. All the teams are so friendly to each other.”

And of course, this competition is a favourite of Ballarat clubs. There are 4 calisthenic clubs in Ballarat so local students are often at the theatre either cheering on their own club teams or supporting friends from other clubs.

Michelle Smith from The Courier popped in during one of the Senior sections and prepared an article for the newspaper – https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/7931289/elegance-shines-on-the-south-street-stage/?cs=62

Full photo credit to Kate Healy, The Courier.  Great photo, Kate.