Eliza Gower leotard

Glamour and glitz and grit: Eliza Gower’s Commonwealth Games leotard Mounted on the wall, overlooking the gymnasium floor in the McCrae Grassie Sports Centre where the Grammar Rhythmic Gymnastics team train is a sparkling leotard, worn by Eliza Gower (2002) at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester competing for Australia in Rhythmic Gymnastics. The leotard represents the hard work, dedication, and love for the sport that Eliza experienced during her years at Grammar and throughout her illustrious representative career.

Eliza Gower’s Commonwealth Games leotard

Rhythmic is by far and away the hardest thing I’ve ever done, physically, mentally and emotionally. I spent a lot of time training and competing in Eastern Europe and I think as a result from a very young age I really appreciated how lucky I was to live in such a privileged place with so much support. It certainly built resilience and the capacity to manage high stress situations. My body hurts still! (Gower, E. 2024) Why is it important to preserve, acknowledge, and display such memorabilia? As with the other examples that celebrate the achievements of Grammar athletes, this elegant leotard provides insights into the development of this graceful but demanding sport within the School, and it also affords the opportunity to honour the athlete who wore it.

2001 Eliza Gower with rope photoshoot.

In 1978, Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics as a group competition was introduced into the Queensland Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA) Gymnastics competition. Girls Grammar entered groups in both apparatus: Ribbon and Ball, under the captaincy of Gretel Bakker (1978). However, the first success came in the form of a pennant in Hoop in 1980 and this was soon followed by our first “clean sweep” in all apparatus in 1982. During the early years of this QGSSSA sport, it was a branch of the Artistic Gymnastics competition where it gained sufficient notoriety to be given status as an individual report in the 1981 School magazine. Its growing popularity led to Rhythmic Gymnastics splitting from Artistic Gymnastics when it was allocated its own competition in 1984 – the year Rhythmic Gymnastics was included in the Olympics. In this same year, the competition expanded to include Ribbon, Ball and Hoop. In 1987, a Combination format – ball and hoop – was introduced into the competition as another group.

1984 Rhythmic Gymnastics celebration at the Pancake Manor: Left to right: Jodie Laun, unsighted, Kelly Baisden (captain), Sarah Stafford, Natacha Dobrovolsky, Gillian Hunter, Fiona Murdoch, Kim Yap, Cathy O’Brien, Diane Wilson. Left to right front centre: Donna Horton and Nicole Schoutrop. In 1986 Mrs Meryl Papas (Hughes 1957) became involved in Grammar Rhythmic Gymnastics, which began a 19 year and prestigious legacy. As a long-standing staff member teaching ballet and a Churchill Fellow in the discipline, she brought to this sport exquisite balletic and choreography skills, serious discipline and, as a third generation Grammar girl, an unparalleled love for the School. In 1988, Mrs Papas created the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Club (BGGS RSG Club) which produced many outstanding gymnasts such as Nicole Schoutrop (1987), the 1987 BGGS RG captain and the Elite National Rhythmic gymnast. This initiative had the most significant impact on Rhythmic Gymnastics in the School and a profound impact on the QGSSSA competition. By extending the School’s rhythmic gymnasts’ skill base, it also provided competitive experiences and exposure to the sport at a national representative level. The club became one of the most successful clubs nationally. The BGGS RSG Club also developed coaches and judges which, in turn, strengthened the QGSSSA competition. It was this club, open to future Grammar girls (like water polo), which nine-year-old Eliza Gower was to join – even before her days as a Grammar student began, at the encouragement of her “old girl” mother, Nanette (Henzell, 1970). Ellena Papas (1990), daughter of Meryl, who watched the development of the BGGS RSG Club from the intimacy of her mother’s kitchen table, went on to captain the sport as a Grammar student, represented the state and became an international judge. She recalls: The first time Mum really spoke to Eliza – one-on-one – was to convince her to do a competition, as Eliza was adamant rhythmic was just for fun, but we could see this incredible

potential in her. Mum bent down to Eliza's level, held her hands, and told her they'd have a conversation about it like two adults. I think the true beauty in that moment was something I consider to have developed into a hallmark of their relationship - right from the start a mutual respect, a recognition of the symbiotic equality within the roles each played in the relationship, and a true connection. As the judge, I feel like I was the third, slightly removed part of their equation, which gave me an incredible vantage point. (Papas, 2024)

1992 QGSSSA Competition at Somerville House.

In 1995, another apparatus, Rope, was added to the QGSSSA competition providing even more variety to the QGSSSA program. It was a stellar year for Grammar rhythmic athletes as detailed in a proud magazine report: “Our dominance in interschool Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics was reasserted this year, with a clean sweep in all five competition sections. 1995 boasts the largest BGGS team in the history of the sport.” (School magazine 1995 p136). The competition continued to grow. In 1997 the format of the competition increased to include greater participation, expanding the competition by adding A Grade Pairs and extra divisions. This allowed the largest team to date. In 1998, Eliza began as a Year 8 student in Griffith House. In that year, she competed for the BGGS RSG club in the United States of America in the Yule Cup Challenge and the LA Lites competition, which she was ranked 4 th overall. Eliza was also ranked Queensland State Junior Elite Champion. These achievements continued at the national level to crescendo with her participation in the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

2002 Eliza Gower

Eliza’s beautiful leotard acts as a tangible reminder of not only these achievements, but also of her dedication and skill. Interestingly, the leotard was not created to be worn in competition. Designed to be worn as an Australian team leotard at official training sessions and ceremonies in association with the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the 2003 World Championships, the leotard was gifted to the School by Eliza in 2012.

Detail of the 2002 leotard

When reading magazine reports from the seasons through the years, the Grammar cheer squad, team spirit, and the dedication of the athletes are referenced consistently. The appeal of Rhythmic Gymnastics is described as “lying in elegant combining of apparatus handling, dance and flexibility” (BGGS magazine, 1993). However, the need for team cohesion and the support from the School community has long been an element the teams have appreciated and from which they drew confidence. This support Eliza found even extended to her international competitions, particularly at the Goodwill Games in 2001. Eliza recalls: They were held in Brisbane. It was a highly televised and celebrated event, it was so rare for me to compete in such a high-profile competition in my hometown (I was usually the unknown Australian in a far off European country) I finished my last routine to roaring applause, and as I awaited my score I heard something familiar over the din, it was the Grammar war cry. I looked up and there were so many girls in the stands. It still makes me cry to think of it! (Gower 2024)

2001 Eliza Gower and Meryl Papas at the Goodwill Games, Brisbane.

2001 Eliza is interviewed post-performance at the Goodwill Games.

In 2024, the Grammar Rhythmic Gymnastics squad, consisting of 85 gymnasts grouped into 24 individual teams, enters its 46 th year of QGSSSA Rhythmic Gymnastics competition. These teams are inspired by the gymnasts of the past, like Eliza Gower, whose international journey literally began in the School’s auditorium. Because I was competing at such a high level out of school, with a huge amount of pressure and a pretty rigorous training schedule, being on the school team was just such a fun escape. I was able to compete in a pair with my training partner and friend Amanda Lee See (2005) (I competed individually usually) and we had the whole school behind us. I loved my time at Grammar and QGSSSA was always such a highlight. (Gower 2024)

2003 Amanda Lee See and Eliza Gower perform in the QGSSSA A Grade Hoop competition.

To this day, QGSSSA Rhythmic Gymnastics builds teamwork, resilience, confidence, sportsmanship, creativity, and musicality. The comprehensive program continues to provide the opportunity for Grammar girls to dedicate themselves to a team, give that team their all, and support their Grammar sisters.

1999 Year 9 Eliza Gower performs in the QGSSSA A Grade Ball routine.

While the XXXIII Olympiad dominates our screens, it is hoped that the collection of memorabilia – especially Eliza Gower’s leotard, will inspire Grammar athletes and, gymnasts specifically, to go faster, higher, and stronger; to make the most of their training; gain confidence and wisdom through pushing their physical boundaries; develop integrity through sportsmanship; and experience imagination and creativity in motion and musicality.

Anna O’Gorman

Co-ordinator of Rhythmic Gymnastics and Science Teacher

Pauline Harvey-Short (Harvey 1971)

School History and Culture Manager

2002 Proud BGGS captains Eliza Gower and Claudia Jackson with MBC Principal, Mr Paul Teys.

2002 BGGS Rhythmic Gymnastics team.

References

BGGS School Magazines 1978-2003.

Gower, E. Email correspondence 16.05.2024.

Harvey-Short, Pauline To become fine sportswomen – The History of Health, Physical Education and Sport at Brisbane Girls Grammar School 1875-2010 Brisbane Girls Grammar School, 2011.

Papas, E. Email correspondence 26.07.2024.

” This elegant leotard provides insights into the development of this graceful but demanding sport.”