Gymnastics Nova Scotia  – January 20, 2015 (Halifax, NS)  – Gymnastics Nova Scotia, along with Halifax Alta Gymnastics Club, Taiso Gymnastics Training Centre, and Titans Gymnastics and Trampoline Club are getting set to host Canada in Halifax, NS at Gymnastics Canada’s Elite Canada competition. The competition will take place from February 4-7, 2016 at the Canada Games Centre in Halifax. This is the first time this competition has come to Nova Scotia. 

Elite Canada is one of the primary meets at which national team status is determined and brings together the top athletes from across Canada from the novice, junior, and senior categories. This competition will bring over 180 athletes, 100 coaches, and 50 judges to Nova Scotia. There are a record number of 20 Nova Scotia athletes registered to compete. These athletes train out of Halifax Alta Gymnastics Club, Taiso Gymnastics Training Centre (Lower Sackville), and Titans Gymnastics and Trampoline Club (Dartmouth). This is a rare opportunity for Nova Scotians to see the country’s top talent, in their own province, including Olympians Ellie Black and Hugh Smith.

“As we prepare for the Olympics in 2016, every competition in Canada that has the participation of the senior team will be used to consider the eligible athletes that will go to Rio. This event will feature our top athletes who will be getting themselves ready for the final push towards that ultimate goal,” said Karl Balisch, Program Director for artistic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada.

“Our club, Halifax Alta along with others in Halifax are very excited to be hosting Elite Canada 2016,” said five-time Pan American Games medallist Ellie Black. “It’s great to bring the highest level of gymnastics to Halifax for many young athletes to be able to see and be inspired.”

“I don’t know how many times as an athlete I have been asked by my friends and family if I will be competing anywhere nearby and my answer has always been no,” said Hugh Smith, a member of the men’s artistic gymnastics senior “A” team who trains with fellow national team member Ellie Black out of the Halifax Alta Club. “I’ve had so much support from my club, city, and province and it will feel great to be able to perform in front of them in Halifax and to have them cheering for me at home.”

Daily event tickets can be purchased for a limited time at:  www.gymns.ca. They will also be available for purchase at the door.

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For further information, please contact:

Angela Gallant                                                                                                                Julie Forget

Executive Director                                                                                                       Director, Communications & Marketing

Gymnastics Nova Scotia                                                                                           Gymnastics Canada

gns@sportnovascotia.ca                                                                                         jforget@gymcan.org

(902)425.5450 ext. 338                                                                                                           (819)210.2064