Strong results for 'physie'

Woy Woy's Recreational Physical Culture Club has finished last year's competition with 10 places at zone level, two places at national level and two teams placed first overall in the national team competition.

Place getters included Simone Bradley who came first at Zone in the five-year-old division and Alana Hardcastle who came third in the same division.

Edwina Clune-Purcell came first at Zone and fifth at Nationals in the six-year-old divisioin, while Caitlan Young came second at Zone in the same division.

In the seven-year-old division, Lauren Riley came first at Zone and second at nationals, while Keeyah Robertson came fifth at zone.

In eight year olds, Candace Williams came third at Zone, and Charlotte Clune-Purcell came second in Zone for nine-year-olds.

Hannah Clune-Purcell came third at Zone in the 12-year-old division while Lesa McNeill came second at Zone in 12-year-olds and was a national finalist.

The club runs "physie" classes for girls at the Peninsula Community Centre on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and now also runs classes for women.

The program includes standing and floor exercises, aerobic type warm-ups, ballet and dance, all choreographed to develop strength, grace, confidence, coordination and flexibility.

This in turn teaches the relationship of music to movement, rhythm, self-discipline, composition, balance and musical interpretation.

Teachers Robyn and Kristy Stephen said the course is a carefully-structured syllabus which is as contemporary as the music they work to.

Each age has a separate syllabus and students have the opportunity to enter annual competitions.

Robyn Stephen has been teaching for 40 years.

Competitions are at club, interclub, district and state level and culminate in national finals in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House and the Homebush State Sports Centre.

Girls can compete as a member of a team or individually.

Girls from three years up may participate.

Physie lessons cost $3 and new members are welcome.

Press release, January 18 Robyn and Kristy Stephen, Physical Culture Club