Jessica Mavridis has come full circle with the Y – from student, competitive gymnast and mentee, to coach, gymnastics coordinator and role model for a new generation of young gymnasts.
From her first day on the mat in Kindergarten, Jess was hooked, training, competing and eventually winning vault champion at Nationals when she was 12.
"I didn't even realise I'd won … to see my name at the top against everyone in the state was an amazing feeling," she said.
In the years that followed – whether she won or lost – the thrill of mastering a challenging skill cemented the place of the sport in her life forever.
"The most rewarding part about being a gymnast is showing that you can do the skills and showing all that hard work. It's not like soccer or netball … those are great sports but in gymnastics you are progressing every single day, every month and every year from one skill to the next … it's a never-ending cycle."
As a teenager training 16 hours a week, Jess's academic and social lives needed to be structured to fit in her training and later mentee program requirements.
"Having a structure to stick to really calmed my nerves. That's what I teach my gymnasts now, school is number one and training is number two, but this sport teaches you the skills to do all of that in one life."
These same skills allowed Jess to finish a university degree in Exercise Sport Science while working part-time as High Levels Coordinator at the Y, a personal trainer and swim coach.
Her journey and the lessons she's learnt along the way have shaped her approach to nurturing the gymnasts of tomorrow.
"I always wanted to be a coach … I really wanted to give that back to the community and give what my coaches gave me to other gymnasts," Jess said.
"I have been in their spot before. It's about passing it down and showing them that once you finish your career as a gymnast, it's not over, you go into the mentor program, become a coach… it's a big cycle which is great for yourself, for others and the community."
