The 10 representatives from Moree ranging from eight to 14 years of age will take to the floor at the Homebush State Sports Centre competing against girls from all across Australia vying for a top five finish.

 However, qualifying for a place in the semi-finals (top 30) or even the finals (top 15) is an amazing achievement in itself.

During the past six weeks the girls have had no time to rest with two lessons every week, exercises to help with their strength and even a bit of homework according to head teacher, Samantha Cosgrove.

“The girls have been working very hard, taking on every bit of advice and applying it by the next lesson. They have been practicing at home as well as in class. It is so great to see them all striving for their goals,” she said.

This year Moree has two girls competing who have never qualified for nationals before; 10-year-old Courtney Brazel and 12-year-old Grace Carter.

“It is very hard to prepare the girls for what to expect at nationals. If you have never seen nationals before you can’t imagine just what it is like,” Cosgrove said.

“Two floors competing at the same time, judges up in the audience so you can’t see them, an audience in tiered seating of thousands, girls from as far as Western Australia competing and the possibility of only having eight minutes on the floor to show your talent and hoped to be picked to progress to the next stage. Regardless of how scary all of that sounds, just competing at nationals is an incredible achievement and we are so proud of each of our girls.”

“Karen, Stacey, Abby, myself and the rest of the club just want to wish the girls the best of luck, to tell them we are so proud of them and all their hard work and to tell them to enjoy every minute of the experience.”

The 10 competing on Sunday include- eight years: Chelsea Bourke, nine years: Lucy Carter, 10 years: Courtney Brazel and Laura Penfold, 11 years: Peyton-Eve Sifko, 12 years: Maria Bouliopolous and Grace Carter, 13 years: Emily Cosgrove and Sara Campbell and 14 years: Gemma Mihill.