Meet the elite SA calisthenics girls at the top of the uniquely Australian sport and why they love it
You’ve heard of dance mums but the mums who make their daughters’ calisthenics dreams a reality are uniquely Australian and say they are even “more involved”.
Lifestyle
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Hand-bejewelled costumes, hours of rigorous practise and fierce competitions, being a caligirl is more than a hobby, it’s a “lifestyle”.
You may be familiar with dance mums, a term made famous by the hit Lifetime reality TV show that made JoJo Siwa a star, but cali mums are uniquely Australian.
Calisthenics – an elite sport – combines ballet, gymnastics and theatre with predominantly young girls dancing, marching and singing in synchronised routines.
SCROLL DOWN TO MEET SA’S TOP CALIGIRLS
Sonya Arnold also knows the reality of being a cali mum.
For nine years her now 17-year-old daughter Ava has been training four days a week and competing all over the country.
“We call calisthenics a lifestyle more than anything else,” Ms Arnold said.
“It’s a lot of money and it’s more money than I want to think about. I wouldn’t want it written down.
“It’s different to dance as mums are a little bit more involved as we have to do the costuming, so while the girls are practising we tend to get together and do all of our gemming and our costumes.”
The Year 12 student has recently started driving herself to practice at Marden Calisthenics College but that hasn’t stopped Ms Arnold spending hours finishing elaborate costumes over coffee or wine with her fellow cali mums.
Former caligirl, now cali mum and co-founder of the Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company Carly Aherne said the sport came at a cost.
“For a stand-alone costume you might be looking at anywhere between $100 to $400 per costume,” Ms Aherne said.
“Those at the highest level, like my daughter, would have a Graceful dress custom made in the vicinity of $400.”
With caligirls as young as one signing up, Ms Aherne said athletes “trained thousands and thousands of hours over many years” and all were “incredibly close with their mothers” as a side effect.
“My daughter and I are literally joined at the hip because we are together all the time,” she said.
“I am on the calisthenics journey with her 24/7.”
When the Australian Calisthenics Federation cancelled the 2024 national competition Ms Aherne took matters into her own hands producing ‘A Symphony’.
Ava will be among 63 South Australian caligirls who will take to the Festival Theatre stage wearing costumed bejewelled with $30k worth of gems from June 29 to 30.
The production is the first of its kind and will feature participants from the state’s 12 clubs. Meet SA’s caligirls to watch.
WILLOW HALL FROM INNOVATION CALISTHENICS CLUB
Willow has been doing calisthenics since she was one year old. She loves dancing with her friends and is the queen of onstage expressions. She became the Sub-Junior 9 years State Champion for Graceful Girl Solo earlier this year.
VIVIENNE HINZ FROM REYNELLA BRAEVIEW CALISTHENICS CLUB
While Vivienne’s mum was the original driving force behind her starting calisthenics, she now loves the sport and has been a part of the team for seven years. She is best known for her Aesthetic/Graceful Girls performances and has even secured a few first place ribbons this year.
CHARLOTTE MARTIN FROM GAWLER CALISTHENICS CLUB
Ten year old Charlotte said her favourite thing about calisthenics was “learning new tricks and being in different teams”. She loves performing duos with her best friend Maddi and took out the National Title in 2023 with the SA Sub-Junior national team.
EMMA TRAVERS FROM WHYDALE CALISTHENICS CLUB
Emma has been practising calisthenics for eight years. Her commitment to the sport is demonstrated by her willingness to travel all the way from Whyalla to Adelaide for the Australian Calisthencis Theatre Company training.
“It is a lot of travelling and time away from home, but it is worth it,” she said.
KAYLEE-JADE (KJ) CHAU FROM RIDGEHAVEN CALISTHENICS CLUB
KJ loves how unique calisthenics is but wishes more people knew about it. Now in her 11th year in the sport, she still loves performing as much as she did when she first started. Last year she won the CASA State Champion Junior 12/13yo Solo Competition.
RUTENDO MAKUSHA FROM SEATON CALISTHENICS CLUB
Rutendo was inspired by her older sister to take up calisthenics and has now been a part of the sport for 10 years. She loves attending class each week to dance with her friends and is known for her leaping skills.
GEORGIE ALEXOPOULOS FROM WINDSOR CALISTHENICS CLUB
Calisthenics runs in Georgie’s genes as her mum competing in the sport when she was younger and then coaching. Georgie said calisthenics boosted her confidence and was grateful for the new friends and connections she had made during her 12 year career.
POPPY MORRIS FROM AVV CALISTHENICS CLUB
Poppy is in her ninth year of calisthenics and enjoys the social aspect of the sport which has allowed her to make “some amazing friendships”. The 15 year old was a member of the winning South Australian Intermediate Nationals Team in 2023. Her greatest strength is her stage presence as she loves becoming a character and showing emotion through her performances.
EMILY DEVENPORT FROM DEL SANTE GARDENS CALISTHENICS CLUB
Emily is following her mum’s legacy of 25 years at Del Sante Gardens Calisthenics Club and has been part of their team for 15 years. Her speciality is strength and flexibility and was awarded the Most Outstanding and Consistent Worker trophy from her home club.
AYANNA BURGAN-MINNIECON FROM MARDEN CALISTHENICS COLLEGE
Ayanna was “born into calisthenics” when her cali coach mum gave birth to her on a competition day. She has now been a part of the sport for 15 years and is known for her fierceness and strength on stage. She took out the top title at the 2023 Australian Calisthenics Federation National Solo Championship. Ayanna is also a singer and will perform a duet with star, Tim Campbell during the ‘A Symphony’ show.
SAYURI INTHAVONG FROM PLYMPTON HALIFAX CALISTHENICS CLUB
Sayuri attended a calisthenics come and try session in 2011 and has not looked back. She has competed at a national level and even won the Graceful Solo CASA Championship two years in a row. She has also contributed to multiple South Australian winning teams.
JESS MIESZKUC FROM BRIGHTON CALISTHENICS CLUB
Jess has been practising calisthenics for 14 years and was inspired by her mum and nan who were both members of the sport. Over the past ten years, Jess has represented the state seven times and has enjoyed making friendships and travelling Australia with her teammates.
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