Monash student Alex Scott and her team of champions finish second at Worlds

Alex (middle) in action.

Photo: Alex Scott. 

First year Monash engineering/arts student Alex Scott and her team of sport aerobics superstars finished second overall at last month’s Sport Aerobics World Championships.

Held in Leiden, a Municipality in South Holland and competing in the performance section, the event was the culmination of 12 months of training and sacrifice.

The event itself was highly competitive and Alex said her teammates were really proud of their efforts, executing their performances to a near perfect level.

“The performances were good, we were happy with all of our routines,” Scott said

“We were maybe a bit over-excited at first and our timing was a bit out at times because we had so much energy.

“The event was really amazing to go to, it had a good atmosphere, and everyone was supporting each other really well.

“All the Australians, if you weren’t competing, you were cheering on in the crowd and it made for a really good environment.”

Qualification for World Championships (Worlds), came after the team earned strong results representing their club ‘Action Sport Aerobics’ at both States and Nationals.

“We represented Action Sport Aerobics at the States and also Nationals, but when we go to Worlds we represent Australia,” Scott said.

“We had three Australian team’s go (to Worlds) this year which was really good.”

After 12 months of preparation, for Alex and her team to perform so well was special, justifying all of their effort, sacrifice and showing impressive team endeavour. 

Alex (middle) embracing the circus theme.

Photo: Alex Scott.

Overall, it was world class for Alex, a member of the Monash Elite Student Performer Scheme, and her team to finish second among the 10 teams competing in the section.

It didn't come easily however, having to earn each performance throughout the event and climb the ladder to finish second. 

“(At worlds) there were preliminary's (prelims), semi-finals and finals and you have to qualify for each of those," Scott said.

“In the prelims we placed third which we were really happy with and we were third again in semi-finals and then we moved up a spot after finals so second overall was our final result.”

The performance section of sport aerobics involves teams of five, performing a one minute, 45 second set.

Each performance is themed and must be executed in a theatrical manner, relevant to the particular theme each team chooses for itself.

“Our theme was circus but everyone picks their own theme,” Scott said.

“So it’s a little bit more dance-y than typical sport aerobics sections and you can do some different sort of tricks.

“The themes have got to tell a story and it needs to be a really theatrical performance.

"Sport aerobics itself is a mix between gymnastics, dance and a bit of cheer-leading."

With Worlds in the books, Alex said she’s preparing for try-outs next year, hoping to get back to both States and Nationals and continue to improve.

Written by Joseph Arthur, Media Coordinator