Cleveland Air Magic’s big 2019 just got even bigger with their future looking brighter

Don’t skip on this Redlands sports club when you talk about the top sports clubs in Australia.

Cleveland Air Magic athletes after the state championships. Picture: Supplied

DON’T skip on the Cleveland Air Magic when you talk about powerhouse sporting clubs in Australia.

Cleveland Air Magic, a rope skipping club based at the Redlands Showgrounds, has arguably been the premier club for the sport for several years now and members have taken steps in 2019 to make sure that continues for years to come.

Not only has Cleveland Air Magic achieved impressive results at both regional and state championships this year but they will also have a team of 10 travel to Norway next week for the World Championships.

Cleveland Air Magic athletes competing at the state championships.

But more importantly, the club’s future has received a major boost after a federal government grant helped purchase a new floor for members to train on, which has been put in over the past month.

The new floor is the first upgrade to facilities the club has had in almost 20 years and cost $16,000, with $8000 coming from the Federal Government’s Stronger communities program and $8000 from fundraising.

“The last floor we had was a second hand floor from the 2000 Sydney Olympics so this was urgently needed just to help our athletes have better facilities to prepare for competitions,” Kristin Hudson from Cleveland Air Magic said.

Cleveland Air Magic get new floor. Picture: Supplied

“We have world champions at our club and athletes preparing for world championships so having a good floor for them is incredibly important.”

Cleveland Air Magic was also given another boost recently from the Redland City Council, who gave them more space at their current base.

“That’s big for us because it allows us to expand and cater to more members as we continue to grow,” Hudson said.

“The sport is definitely growing, especially with talks happening for it to become an Olympic sport. We are all hoping it will become an Olympic sport by 2028, which would help grow the sport in a big way.”

Cleveland Air Magic athletes compete at the state championships.

The team heading to Norway for the World Championships include Luke Boon, Lilly Barker, Jake Eve, Ben Cooper, Amy Grimes, Jemma Bihari, Belle Charlesworth, Baylie Stariha, Makella Hoad, Jasmine Hawkins plus head coach Carolyn Barker.

“Four of our senior members of this squad are six-time back-to-back world team champions and hold numerous world speed records,” Hudson said.

“We are hosting a final farewell and Skipping Showcase for our Norway skippers on Sunday from 4-5pm at Cleveland Air Magic clubhouse, Joe Howell Pavillion, Redlands Showgrounds.

“2019 is shaping up to be a very busy year for the club and we are incredibly proud of our coaches and skippers achievements and ongoing passion for this sport.

“As a small club, it all happens thanks to the spirit and dedication of our team of volunteers, we are a tight knit group that live and breathe this sport and love to share it with everyone.”

For more information visit the Cleveland Air Magic’s Facebook page.