South Penrith gymnast Harmoni Hill said she can’t wait to represent NSW for the first time at the 2025 Australian Gymnastics Championships.
To be held on the Gold Coast next month, the best Artistic, Trampoline, Rhythmic, Aerobic and Acrobatic gymnasts from all over the country will descend on the popular holiday destination for the two-week-long tournament.
But gymnasts like Harmoni won’t be on the Gold Coast to go to the beach, ride the rollercoasters or enjoy a shopping spree at Pacific Fair, they’ll be in town to test themselves among the best gymnasts Australia has to offer.
On the line is not only State and National glory, but a chance to compete at the 2025 World Championships later this year.
Speaking with the Weekender, 12-year-old Harmoni said she’s looking forward to competing on the National stage.
“This will be my first time representing NSW individually. I know I’ll have a lot of pressure on me as I’m competing in all of the events, but I’m excited,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to improving, representing PCYC Penrith and I just think it will be a good test to see where I’m at against everyone else – plus I get a new leotard out of it!”
Harmoni recently competed at the Senior State Championships, where she not only earned her spot on the NSW team for Level 8 but was also awarded the Artistry Award for the entire level – a huge honour that recognised her outstanding floor routine, which also earned her the title of Junior Floor Champion of NSW.
The Year 7 Caroline Chisholm College student comes from a big sporting family. In-fact, she’s one of 12 kids, with her siblings involved in an array of sports including boxing, rugby, basketball, OzTag, footy and bodybuilding.
However, Harmoni said she’s the only member of her very large and active family to dabble in gymnastics.
“I started when I was five because I remember seeing my older siblings do flips in the backyard, and then I found out there was a sport out there where you could do all of that, so my mum signed me up to gymnastics,” Harmoni said.
Harmoni was a member of The Y for many years but recently moved to PCYC Penrith, along with one of her coaches Annie Lovegrove.
Harmoni said she wouldn’t be where she is today without the care and support of Lovegrove, the team at PCYC Penrith and of course her big family.
“Annie’s bossy but in a good way and she won’t take no for an answer,” Harmoni said.
“It felt really good when I found out I was selected for NSW. My family was proud of me.”
Harmoni and the PCYC team will be holding a sausage sizzle at Bunnings North Penrith this Saturday, June 28 to raise funds to help cover her travel and competition costs.
“Hopefully my siblings come to help and buy lots of sausages,” Harmoni said with a grin.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.