The Kachan tumblers surprised everyone but themselves when they travelled to Denmark for the International Gymnastics Federation World Age Group Championships.
Six tumblers, Ethan McGuinness, Ellie Smith, Blake Grainger, Jack Hemmings, Sophie Wilson and Henry Clark, headed to the championships earlier this month with their coach Dzmitry Kachan, who was also picked to be the Australian team coach.
Five of them placed within the top 10 in their age groups, including Ethan McGuinness, who won a gold medal.
Kachan said many people at the championships were surprised at how the tumblers operate.
“The biggest thing for us was how surprised people were by how we operate, people think we are crazy for running out of a church,” he said.
Kachan said in Europe, tumblers train out of purpose built gyms, a far cry from his set-up, which requires setting up and packing away after each session.
“It is a credit to our staff and the church, and all in all it has been a very successful competition,” he said.
“Competing against the world's best gyms and countries, it is hard and obviously the kids did good and we put the gym on the map.
“People want to come from overseas and visit the gym to come and have a look, so I am very proud.”
