‘Training for the Brisbane Olympics’: Coalition’s $20m SA gymnastics centre election pledge

A special guest has flown into SA to celebrate years of hard work paying off, as gymnasts leap toward a new world-class facility.

Parents have rejoiced through tear-filled eyes at the announcement that a new “Olympic level” gymnastics facility could be on the horizon for South Australia.

The announcement comes just days after The Advertiser revealed the dangerous shortfalls in equipment and premises for young gymnastics in SA, forcing some, including Olympic athlete Jesse Moore, to move interstate.

A crowd of nearly 100 young gymnasts sat in anticipation as Senator Anne Ruston and Liberal candidate for Boothby Nicolle Flint announced a $20m investment into constructing a purpose-built gymnastics facility if the Coalition won the 2025 federal election.

Madison Bugeja, Myles Reed & Harper Thomas were disappointed with the outdated facilities, but are now jumping with joy at the announcement. Picture: Tim Joy

Flying in especially for the announcement, former SA star gymnast, now president of Gymnastics Australia, Sam Offord said he “can’t wait” for an upgrade to the same facilities he’d used while training.

“I’m trying not to cry,” Mr Offord said, surrounded by gymnasts at the Marion Leisure and Fitness Centre.

“When I was training in the corner, there’s a plaque on the wall and I thought ‘this is pretty cool, the building was opened in 1982’.

“I’ve lived and breathed in this facility, and it’s been amazing, but it’s time for us to have a new home.”

The new “world-class, Olympic level” facility would be just what “the kids of South Australia deserve to grow and aspire,” said Gymnastics SA chief executive Nastashia Buck.

“When you have aspirations to go to the Olympics, we should in this state have a space and a place that lets you do that,” she said.

“So that when you go to the national competitions you don’t feel like you have a less than ideal preparation, that we don’t have less or substandard opportunities in this state.”

Annabelle Quiniones 11 who is a best gymnast winner at her gym at Seacliff. Picture Mark Brake

Annabelle Quiniones, 11, was recently named SA’s best young gymnast by The Advertiser and said the new centre would “make me feel good” and give her more space to train.

Annabelle’s mum, Lovely, said the announcement was “amazing”.

Ms Buck said last week that a new facility would cost somewhere in the realm of $60m-$70m, and “worst case scenario” about $80m, though it is unclear where the additional funding would be found.

Ms Ruston said the facilities at the Marion Leisure and Fitness Centre were “probably great 40 years ago”, but were in dire need of an upgrade.

Senator Anne Ruston announced an election pledge of $20m toward a new gymnastics facility in SA. PICTURES: Supplied

State sports minister Emily Bourke said last week she had met with Gymnastics SA to “discuss measures needed to help meet growing demand on the sport’s facilities”.

Ms Bourke said upgrades already issued include lighting at the Marion Leisure and Fitness centre, $500k for a new training facility for the Murraylands Gymnastics academy, $3.5m to Tea Tree Gully Gymsports and $3 million for Hub Gymnastics “to get communities active”.

“Our government is building on a series of programs delivering millions of dollars’ worth of projects across the state, enabling athletes to participate in the sport they love,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing to have these conversations with the gymnastics community.”