ABOUT STEPHANIE: BIOGRAPHY

WRITTEN BY ANN MOORHOUSE

When Stephanie was a toddler, she went to toddler gym in Eltham and did all the fun things that kids her age like to do, climbing, running, jumping etc. Even at this age Stephanie loved to climb to the top of huge slides like the ones you find in parks and often had people comment that a little girl like that shouldn't be climbing such big slides. However, Stephanie was not afraid of heights and was well coordinated and quick for her age. She didn't like to play with dolls much, or dress ups, but preferred to play indoor games, or play outdoors with her brother, Nathan.

When Stephanie started kindergarten at age 4, Mum asked Stephanie what would she like to do for fun and Stephanie said could she try "gymnastics", like her big brother. Mum couldn't even persuade her to try ballet, as Mum could sew and it would be lovely to wear all those pretty costumes. However, to no avail, so Stephanie couldn't wait to start. She also started at swimming lessons as that was very important and looking back was probably when she had the most time to fit them in. Her brother Nathan had given up gymnastics now as he looked more comfortable on the basketball court, rather than on the rings.

At Jets Gym in Eltham (home of Elizabeth Wong – AIS) Stephanie and her friend Kelly looked forward to their first time at a "big" gym. Brian was their first coach and he was fun. The club organised a little competition for the girls and Stephanie was so excited and so were the family. However, Kelly was not happy she couldn't stop crying and no amount of convincing would help her continue. So Stephanie went off by herself with the other girls climbing the rope, running across the beam and striding down the vault strip. Glad we had the video camera there, it's really good to look back on! Invited to watch the competition was Katie Watts, who was in the Australian team for the World Championships in the USA and almost made it to the Barcelona Olympics but was forced to withdraw from selection because of an injury. Katie was asked to select girls at this competition who might be eligible for an elite squad at the gym. Stephanie was one of the girls selected, and after being measured, weighed and informed of the "commitment", although not quite fully understanding, Stephanie began what was to be the start of a very different lifestyle!

Stephanie's first serious competition was held at Jets Gym where Stephanie was aiming to pass the Stage 1 level. This was very scary as there were now judges involved and it didn't seem quite so much fun. In fact, half way through the tears started to flow, and no amount of encouragement from parents or one of the judges, Barbara Watts, who was Katie's mother, was going to help. Barbara did her best, but to no avail. It was time for a cuddle for Stephanie and time to wait for another competition. Monique Allen, an Australian Olympic competitor, was a friend of Katie's and dropped by. The girls were so excited, she was someone famous! They couldn't wait to get her autograph. Stephanie managed to get her signature on a t-shirt and a photo with her. She still has the t-shirt! Over the next couple of years, Stages 1 and 2 were passed, doing very well at each level. Now on to Stage 3!

Mum and Dad thought that it was time for Stephanie to try a few other things besides gymnastics. So Stephanie tried an after school jazz ballet class at her primary school at Eltham North as long as she could still fit in her gym classes. Stephanie had fun, especially as all the girls used to follow Steph in the class in their routines. However, Steph decided that she still preferred gymnastics. Life was starting to revolve around school, Nathan's basketball and Stephanie's gymnastics.

It now appeared that Stephanie's coach wanted to move to the Bulleen club, about another 10 mins away. So Steph and a couple of other gymnasts decided to make the transition as this was also a stronger club. Stephanie was still going to Eltham North at this stage, and was spending more hours out of school travelling backwards and forwards to trainings. A lot of her friends could not understand why she was so committed to this sport at such a young age, but it was what Stephanie wanted to do. It was now time to send a squad of girls from Bulleen interstate to compete at the Stage 3 National Clubs. This was her first gymnastics trip and it was very exciting to travel as a team and represent your Club.

The family followed as well and enjoyed a lovely holiday by the ocean, not too far from the competition. Stephanie really enjoyed the experience, and hoped that maybe one day she could be as good as some of the wonderful gymnasts she saw. Now there was no stopping her. Victorian Championships, other minor competitions, etc etc. Training about 25 hours a week, it was becoming more serious but also more tiring. In Grade 4 at her Primary school, Stephanie needed to think about changing gyms once more to progress to a higher level, and as a consequence changing schools.

MLC Gymnastics Club in Kew, not far out of central Melbourne but about half an hour's drive from home had recently begun classes at Stages 3 and 4 level, and this seemed a good opportunity to move on to a more advanced gym. Michelle de Highden, previously from the VIG in Mentone, and Chen Ping began as Stephanie's coaches and were then joined by Qu Derui, previously from the AIS in Canberra, an ex Australian Olympic coach. Stephanie then decided to change schools as the gym was part of Methodist Ladies College, and this would allow her to spend more time at school. Stephanie then decided to change schools as the gym was part of Methodist Ladies College, and this would allow her to spend more time at school.

So this was quite a big year for Stephanie, and took a few months to get used to. Different school friends, lots of homework, different gym, getting home later and getting up earlier in the morning; more serious training. Stephanie was performing very well at competitions and for the first time represented her State at the National Competition in Sydney. This was so exciting, just to be there was fantastic. The girls from MLC also got to go on camp with the VIG girls spending some fun time together. It was great! Stephanie also tried basketball and diving. Basketball was a lot of fun, but impossible to get to training, and diving still did not seem to have the same excitement as gymnastics. So gym it still is!

Stephanie was very nervous going into her first Junior competition. It was the 1998 National Clubs comp held at the Melbourne Aquatic centre (not only for swimming) but was also the trials for the Australian girls for the Commonwealth Games. Stephanie was so happy when she found out she had come 3AA. Somebody even asked for her autograph, which completely overwhelmed Steph (they must have thought she was one of the older girls). She then competed in the Open Challenge in Canberra where she won an apparatus medal.

Then In 1999, Stephanie won the Victorian Championships, National Championships in Sydney, and National Clubs Championships in Melbourne (Nathan spraying his hair blue to support Victoria). It was certainly a very good year for Stephanie. Stephanie was also awarded Senior Gymnast of the Year for MLC for the second year running (also shared with Kate Bender, a Level 9 gymnast in 1999), and the Methodist Ladies College Sports Achiever of the Year Award for girls in Years 7 and 8. The MLC Club was also awarded for the second year in a row, the trophy for the Australian Elite Club of the Year (also shared in the second year with the VIG).

 It was now time for Stephanie to progress to the Junior International level of competitions by competing at the prestigious Canberra Cup International. She was also looking for a score high enough to qualify for the 2000 Nationals in Sydney. Stephanie achieved this and also surprised herself by qualifying for the Australian team on two apparatus, vault and floor. Walking into the stadium in Canberra to represent your country in the Australian tracksuit was a very proud moment for Stephanie and for her family as well. Stephanie performed very well against these talented juniors, but was thrilled to be actually on the same floor as girls from Russia, America, Great Britain etc. etc. and when she wasn't competing be able to watch them close up!!

With not much time off over Christmas, as the Nationals were moved forward to February because of the Olympics, training continued at a hectic pace. For relaxation Stephanie enjoys swimming in her pool at home and playing as many card games as she can. The Nationals were held in the new Superdome at Homebush on a podium, as a test event before the Olympics. The Nationals were then followed by an International event which the seniors were also competing in. Stephanie's event was held over two days, and there were a few up and downs from some of the gymnasts. After the first day, the Victorian team of which Stephanie was part won the gold medal and in the AA Stephanie achieved 4th place, which was a fantastic achievement for her considering there were many excellent juniors competing. She also was awarded a bronze medal on vault, and 5th on floor. Stephanie for the second year in a row was nominated as Junior Sports Star of the Week in her local newspaper, and attended a function at which there were many other talented athletes. It was wonderful to see so many other athletes who are also dedicated to their chosen sport.

ABOUT STEPHANIE: QUICK FACTS

Full Name: Stephanie Louise Rae Moorhouse Date of Birth: January 20, 1987 Family: Stephen (Dad), Ann (Mum), Nathan (Older Brother) Pets: Bonnie (dog), Angel (cat) Birthplace: Melbourne, Victoria Resides: Melbourne, Victoria School: Lauriston Girls School Grade: 12th (2004) Inspiration: Trudy McIntosh Hobbies: Cooking, listening to music and going to movies

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