International “coup” for local club continued
Xiao knew very little about NZ until she met a gymnastics judge from Christchurch at the Beijing Olympics. Around this time, Xiao’s husband Terry was attracted by the international reputation of the Masters Programme offered by the Waikato University Business Management School. These events led to Xiao & Terry arriving in NZ in 2009, soon followed by Xiao taking up coaching offers in Huntly and Counties-Manukau & then her recent move to Rotorua to join the coaching team at MIGS. Xiao’s arrival adds to the depth of experience already offered by the club’s coaching team (which also includes Lynette Farkash, former NZ representative at the World Games & Commonwealth Games).
Xiao is frequently joined at the gym by her husband Terry, who assists the coaching team & encourages the gymnasts. This friendly young couple have brought a fresh perspective to the club arising from their different cultural background & experience. Xiao has found that one of the key differences between young gymnasts in NZ and those in China is that “Here, girls want to do gymnastics” and have to pay to do the sport. In China, the Government pays for all the coaching and the girls’ attitude can reflect more obedience rather than enthusiasm.
As a keen proponent for gymnastics, Xiao sees that gymnastics is a sport that requires a unique combination of power, strength and flexibility, mental & physical stamina. Young people taking up gymnastics develop a wider range of physical & mental skills than those demanded by other sports. While Xiao’s goal is: “to coach some Kiwi girls to international standard”, she looks forward to encouraging more young people to take up gymnastics and take advantage of the excellent facilities & coaching offered at MIGS. Last year, MIGS celebrated the extension of their gymnasium to accommodate the rapidly growing number of enthusiastic young trampolinists also joining the club.