One to watch: Australian Trampolinist Leanne Van Rensburg
After recently returning from her Trampoline Gymnastics competition in Columbia, Leanne is increasing her training and looks to progress from where she placed 4th in individual routine and in the team competition as well.
Eyes set forward on her next goal, training hard in the gym, Leanne based in Sydney, Australia is looking towards nationals for Trampoline Gymnastics held in the next few weeks in Australia.
We love seeing young Australians thrive and compete strongly in their fields and for Leanne, trampolining has always been something she has loved from a young age.
She states, "As soon as I started gymnastics all I wanted to do was train and get better, never did I think that I would end up representing Australia regularly at an elite level for trampoline gymnastics!"
We recently caught up with Leanne who has previously loved wearing some of our JAGGAD gear for all levels of her training to test out some of our new core pieces and chat about her trampolining journey and find out what's next!?
You’ve experienced professional success from a young age, congratulations – that is impressive! Talk us through your journey to where you are today.
I started trampoline gymnastics when I was 10 years old and living in New Zealand. I first competed internationally for New Zealand when I was 11 years old at the World Age Championships in Canada. My Family and I moved to Australia when I was 12 and since then I have been working with my current coaches Belinda Cox and Damian Ryan. I have been competing for NSW and Australia for the last 10 years at national and international events. Representing Australia has taken me to a number of countries all over the world such as America, Canada, England, China, Japan and Bulgaria. I now train at Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre in Sydney and am a member of the New south Wales High performance program. It hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows during my time as a gymnast and I have had to over come a number of unfortunate injuries, however they have only made me stronger and I am so happy to be able to continue to train and compete in the sport that I love!
What was it that made you fall in love with trampolining? Have you always had your heart set on being a Trampoline Gymnast?
I fell in love with trampoline gymnastics when I was very young and loved flipping around with my friends. My best friend at the time convinced me to come along to her trampoline training session and I have been hooked ever since! I wanted to do artistic gymnastics from when I was about 5 and begged my mum for months to sign me up to our local club (she eventually gave in when I was 8). As soon as I started gymnastics all I wanted to do was train and get better, never did I think that I would end up representing Australia regularly at an elite level for trampoline gymnastics!
How many times a week do you train and how do you stay motivated?
I do 5-6 trampoline sessions a week and 3 gym (weights) sessions. I stay motivated by having short and long term goals that help keep me focused and on track!
What is your typical day on a plate?
Breakfast: Cereal with some berries + almond milk
Snack: Almonds + protein balls
Lunch: Chicken, veges and brown rice
Snack: Banana, vita weets with some peanut butter
Dinner: Steak, veges and sweet potato
Snack: Muesli
What do you think people might be surprised to learn about the life of a professional sportswoman?
Probably that most of us have jobs as well as our careers in sport! I currently work 3 jobs, coaching gymnastics and two marketing roles for different companies. Unfortunately there is little money in Trampoline and all of my trips are self funded so I work very hard outside of the gym to support my sporting career!
What advice would you give to any young women out there thinking to pursue career in sport?
Success will come with hard work! Be determined to be the best you can be and enjoy the process along the way.
Tell us what’s next in terms of competitions? What is your current short term and long-term goal (if you don’t mind us asking!)?
My current short term goal would be to compete clean routines at National Championships in Melbourne in June to earn myself a place on the Australian team that will attend a World Cup in Europe as well as World Championships in Russia in the second half of the year.
My long term goal is to final (top 8) at a World Championships and compete at the Olympic Games.
How do you live and embrace a #LIFEATHLETIC?
I live and embrace a #LIFEATHLETIC by being active and having a healthy balanced life. I love working out and training as well as getting outdoors and doing fun activities with my partner!
It's so exciting and rewarding watching someone so talented in their field be so passionate and driven towards their goal and we cannot wait to follow Leanne's journey with Trampoline Gymnastics as she continues to grow as a competitor in Australia and the world!
#LIFEATHLETIC