Talented young gymnast Lilly Burgess-Hewins.
Jon Hewson           d469531
Camera IconTalented young gymnast Lilly Burgess-Hewins. Jon Hewson         d469531 Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson         d469531

Safety Bay gymnast was doing cartwheels before she could walk

Tim SlaterWeekend Kwinana Courier

YOUNG dynamo Lilly Burgess-Hewins has gymnastics in her blood and has been able to do cartwheels since she started to walk.

The Safety Bay youngster was selected for the Perth National Centre of Excellence (NCE) program when she was just three-and-a-half years old.

Lilly (4) recently won gold on every apparatus against girls twice her age at a recent competition.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Her mum Stephanie said Lilly never missed a training session and was dedicated to the sport.

“We do an hour drive to training, a two-and-a-half hour session at the HBF Stadium and then an hour drive home twice a week, with not one complaint,” Ms Burgess said.

She said Lilly would soon be training three times a week and was learning the foundations of sportsmanship.

“It’s the little things at the moment, hugging a team mate who may be sad, encouraging another little girl that feels she is too tired to train, and most of all having a big cheer and celebration for others when they achieve a new skill,” she said.

Ms Burgess said Lilly was just beginning her sporting journey but it was placing financial pressures on the family after government funding was withdrawn from the gymnastics program.

“As parents, all we ever want for our children is the best and for them to be happy and doing something that they love, no matter what lengths we have to go to,” she said.

She said the NCE program was looking for sponsors to ensure the continuation of elite gymnasts into the future.

MORE: Perth woman living in Manchester describes ‘eerie and sombre’ feeling in city in wake of terror attack

MORE: Topshop Australia placed in voluntary administration

MORE: Kingsley man charged after strip search