The Dennington-based group was won the junior and intermediate aggregate sections at the Mount Gambier Eisteddfod, and was runner-up in the sub-junior section, paving the way for the ‘most outstanding club’ award, presented to the team with the most points overall.

The Loch Ard juniors also won the Lions’ club encouragement award.

College coach Renee Douglas said the efforts and results of the entire group exceeded her expectations.

“I was hoping to do really well, but when you’ve got lots of new little girls that have never been on the stage before, it was just going for all of them to have fun, and if we got places, we would be thrilled,” she said.

“In the sub-junior section, we’ve got five that have don calisthenics before and eight that had never done it.

“I think think all of the girls, when you enjoy what your’d doing, are having fun.

“The results pay for themselves if you work and train hard.”

Sub-junior competitor Maya Douglas, 10, won the junior scholarship in her section.

Loch Ard, which has 33 members ranging from three years old through to 20, had others compete in the scholarship and solo sections on Thursday and Friday last week.

Douglas thanked all those who had helped set up the new calisthenics college this year.