May 8, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guam has officially joined the globalgymnastics community following the endorsement of the Guam GymnasticsFederation (GGF) as a provisional affiliated member of the InternationalGymnastics Federation (FIG) at the governing body’s Council meeting in StPetersburg, Russia on May 3, 2019.

The Guam Gymnastics Federation, anassociate member of the Guam National Olympic Committee, becomes the eighthNational Federation in the Oceania Gymnastics Union (OGU) – the newest FIGUnion just ratified in December 2018. 

Guam Gymnastics Federation’s endorsementfollows significant work over many months by the GGF Board of Directors andSecretary General, Brooke Kneebush.

“Becoming a member of the FIG and OGUwill create a platform to make the sport more empowering for Guam’s gymnasts,dancers, and cheerleaders,” said Jayne Flores, GGF President. “FIG and OGUmembership will allow the GGF access to regional and international training,coaching, and funding opportunities. We are thrilled to have been granted thismembership,” said Flores.

OGU President and FIG ExecutiveCommittee member, Kitty Chiller, said the endorsement of Guam’s membershiphighlights the growing interest in Oceania gymnastics.

“On behalf of every National Federationin the OGU, we welcome Guam to the Union and to the broader internationalgymnastics community,” Ms Chiller said.

“President Jayne Flores and the Guamgymnastics community have worked very hard to ensure the sport has the best potentialto develop and offer broad benefits to the region’s passionate and growinggymnastics member base. Being part of the FIG is a significant step toachieving their longer-term goals and we wish them all the best as they worktowards obtaining full FIG membership at the next FIG Congress, in 2020,” addedChiller.

The GGF was first established in 2015and currently includes six member clubs that encompass competitive gymnastics,dance, and cheerleading.

Since the first Oceania Gymnastics Development visit to Guam in 2015, Gymnastics Australia experts have been providing support to coaches, judges, gymnasts, dancers and cheerleaders including video feedback and analysis of skills, and feedback and analysis of gymnastics routines in preparations for competitions. Guam gymnasts aspire to compete at FIG events including future World Championships and future Olympic Games.

For further information contact: JayneFlores, GGF President, at 483 6409 or atguamgymnastics@gmail.com, or KittyChiller, OGU President, at kchiller@gymnastics.org.au