2018 Competitions: Zone competition

This year, my zone event was held a little differently. The location, format and scheduling were all changed since last year. We had two weeks more to prepare for the district event but I felt that it neither helped nor hindered improvement. The schedule for the day also changed. The open teams were first followed by the novice and intermediate teams. Previously, novice/intermediate teams preceded the novice/intermediate champion lady event, then the opens had teams and championships in the late afternoon. 

The format this year also changed and we performed to a front-facing audience. Fortunately, I had the chance to practise to an onlooking audience at the club competition. The experience for the audience was better this way and it was educational in the sense that onlookers could watch from judges’ perspectives. 

Medal with "curly" edges

After watching the open teams’ remarkable performances, the floors were reset with crosses on the ground for the novice and intermediate teams. Since there are marked spaces for the eight dancers in a team, novice teams weren’t able to creatively use other formations. Considering the amount of memory already needed for reconvening on our spots, I am glad to keep it simple. My team placed and I am very proud of everyone for achieving this feat. One of the ladies mentioned that awards at this level had 'curly' edges, it's been very special to our team. 

The individual competition affectionately known as "champion lady" ran from noon to night. By the time the novice/beginner ladies marshalled it was already early evening. No semi-finals for me this year but it was a tough section with 6 heats and over 80 competitors. My friends from my club achieved personal bests from competing in a team for the first time to qualifying for nationals in Sydney, well done! Popular leotard colours this year were red and fluoro orange. Next year I am moving up to the 'intermediate' category and it'll be my fourth year of physie.


Read an in-depth description of zone proceedings and recounts of the 2017 championships below:
2017 Zones Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Competitor's number

2018 competitions: Club competition

A rainy afternoon set the scene for my club’s annual competition. Despite the weather, enthusiastic dancers and supporters welcomed the dazzling display of physie. The late afternoon to early evening event showcased the talents of girls from preschoolers to ladies. This year the ladies’ class had over 20 members with most participating in this event leading up to teams and champion lady the following weekend.

I enjoyed watching each age groups’ routines and seeing the girls grow up each year. This year also introduced a front facing audience. Although last year’s club competition had the audience to the front, they were seated well above eye level. With the audience in direct sight this year, it took a few moments to settle and focus at times. Little did I know that this was preparation for the following week’s zone competition also with an audience at the front. The club event had the annual men’s marching challenge where male friends and family participated in a round of marching. Their siblings, partners or family members made great instructors, teaching their men how to have nice pointed feet and stride to the music. This year I also had a go at the BjPop which is the association's leisure dance for all ages. Since the ladies had not learnt the choreography in class, a few of us stood in the back row and followed along. It was amusing and in a few moments we'd struck our end poses.

The annual march past where all girls and ladies wore a sash displaying the medals received during their physie careers was held during this day. My sash was embellished with eleven shiny medals and I would earn one more the following weekend with my novice team. As usual, I had labelled my medals with a sticker at the back. Afterwards, the club photo was taken. The evening ended with awards presented to age champions, best performances, marching champions and the overall club champion. Congratulations to all the girls and ladies who danced on the day.

Read about my previous competitions here:

Club competition 2016 
2018 interclubs
Interclub #1 2016 (my very first interclub competition)

2018 Competitions: Interclubs

On two consecutive weekends during August, I competed in interclub competitions and was awarded second place in both. Both of the events I attended were multiday competitions due to the ever-increasing popularity of physie and competition participation.

2 x 2nd place

On the first weekend, I competed in an interclub hosted by my own club. It was professionally set in an arena that I'd previously danced in. However, the last time I'd physied there, spectators were allowed to view from the front as it was not part of an interclub and therefore had different guidelines. Interstate competitors came from afar to take part in this event. It's amazing to see how physie brings people together.

The next competition was just six days afterwards hosted by another local club. We were seated on the side of the dance floor after our marshalling. While waiting and watching, I noticed that the first marker in the middle lane was deliberately closer to the judges compared to the other lines. For the last routine, I was dancing on this marker which made it feel like a solo as I had no others in my peripheral vision. Blue leotards were popular at this occasion. I'm now looking forward to my Annual Club Competition.


You may also like to read:
My lesson journal: May/June
Interclub #2 & Club Competition 2016
2017 Interclub competitions 

Labelling physie keepsakes

By this time of year, you may have already accumulated a few medals, certificates and numbers from competitions. At my club's annual competition, we have a march-past where we wear our sashes accessorised with our colourful medals. With similar-looking badges from year to year, it can be hard to pinpoint the exact competition when it was earnt. This is why I label my keepsakes. This is also a good measure to prevent lost badges. In the case that it gets unlatched, you will be able to identify your handwriting.

Medal:

• Date
• Interclub host/ type of competition

Number:

• Date/day
• Interclub host/ type of competition
• Placing (if applicable)
• Age group/ category
  At the moment, I don't label my category but I keep the program booklets to follow what level I'm in.

I keep my certificates, numbers and programs in a display folder. The medals with lanyards are hung up on a bookshelf until it is time to attach them to my sash.

Labelling the back of my number and medal.