Sisters fast-tracked to Perth

Talent comes in two as Busselton sisters Peydence and Talayla Franklin have been accepted into the Gymnastics High Performance Centre in Perth.

Peydence, 6, and Talayla, 7, were training with Busselton dance studio Jazz Attack for the past year in the Gymnastics Competitive Squad with coaches Sasha van Deman and Chantelle Rice who recommended them to trial for the centre.

Peydence and Talayla started gymnastics in February last year and have progressed quickly.

Their mother Sierena Franklin said they had their first training in Perth, enjoying the different coaching techniques and not being required to pack away after every class.

“They’re doing three days a week — Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday — for three hours each session and that will be for 50 weeks a year with two weeks off around Christmas,” Mrs Franklin said.

The High Performance Centre in HBF stadium was previously known as the West Australian Institute of Sport, which was an elite sports institute set up in 1983 by the WA government to support local athletes.

The institute boasted notable alumni including renowned cricketer Adam Gilchrist and Olympic pole vaulter Steve Hooker.

Mrs Franklin said the sisters started gymnastics in term one last year as a recreational sport but by term two were good enough to train competitively with Jazz Attack Gymnastics.

“We’ve moved to Perth now for my work which is good timing for the girls because it gives them the ability to take on this opportunity and increase their training,” Mrs Franklin said.

“I was very surprised when the coaches approached me about the girls being good enough to be considered for this.”

Jazz Attack gymnastics coach Sasha van Deman said the sisters were both extremely talented for their age.

“The amount they have achieved in a year is incredible and they have the right capabilities and mindset to take this sport to a high level,” she said.

Peydence and Talayla represent Jazz Attack at the centre and hope to follow in the steps of American gymnast Simone Byles.