ONE OFFICIALS EXPERIENCE!

BROTHER CUP ‘92

Judge/Coach Margaret Woolf Gymnast Kylie Taylor

Decision:
I am not going to travel 1992 – time out!
One Month later:
You are on your way Kathy O’Meara cannot go!
Mental flip:
Finish newsletter, reports, Incentive Award Scheme – oh boy!
Phone call from Diliana:
What time is your flight? Hang on I will check. Oh my gosh I am supposed to be
boarding in 10 minutes. I have got the wrong day. Can’t do it. Ring someone!
President no good he is lecturing. Ring Stars Travel – ‘didn’t you check?’ Yes but
too late. Good clear instructions & I am on my way through Australia.
One hour later:
Packed and 30 phone calls later including President Warwick Darcey (he didn’t say a
word!). Diliana has me in her car. My husband could not take me to the airport – he
didn’t even ask why I was leaving suddenly a day earlier!
Qantas Queens St::
Got a park right outside! Yes we have your ticket a Dinkum cheapy but you need to
pay CASH – oh dear I do not have thousands in my cheque account! 15 minutes later
permission sought from Visa! You will not be able to change this ticket. Another
crisis I have not got any insurance. Boarding time in 25 minutes! Fast track out to the
airport. Hope Diliana can find her way back – she has never been out there?
Fax machine:
Memo to Warwick to arrange travel insurance.
On plane:
Bliss 3 seats to myself – collapse.
Arrival:
6.15am and met by an airport official who gives me another breakfast. Interpreter
arrives at 8.15am – 2 hour drive into the city, I now understand the meaning of a
concrete jungle.
Warmly welcomed:
Still as many people as ever. Nice hotel, nice room – difficult to turn around I will
need to lose weight to visit Japan again. This poor interpreter took 4 hours to leave
home and pick me up?
Would you believe:
I have forgotten my wheels, I will definitely get the chopstick award.
Next Day:
After endless meetings with an interpreter who does not understand rhythmics we are
ready
After a fabulous display the competition begins:
If you think a gymnast gets nervous ask a judge just before a competition is about to begin. Suddenly I realize I have not judged internationally for a year and put in my mark up on the board. It is OK and 4 gymnasts later I relax. Oh boy here comes Kylie again that’s great 8.50 points. These TV lights are far too bright where are my sunglasses? Here comes Timochenka – disaster the GRAND DROP – finishing without music and apparatus. Someone gives her full marks! I stand my ground in the debate & fortunately the jury agrees. Kylie again with her least favourite apparatus 8.80 points great! Another fabulous display of Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics
Clubs:
Execution this time. Kyle again – oh 2 drops enough to make you weep! Concentrate
two to go.
At last it is all over: The Brother Cup Title goes to Bulgarian Alexandra
Tordorova. Diliana will be rapped.
Nostalgia:
I feel like a wet rag. Why do I do it? Back to the hotel. Up at 6.00am 200km trip for
the finals. No time to eat – no food at the venue oh well! The air is electric will
Alexandra drop? Three finals to Alexandra – she has got something!
Next day:
Up at 7.30pm to catch a plane to Obihiro in the North Island. It certainly takes a long
time to get to airports here.
Obihiro in the North Island:
A dairying centre although I haven’t seen a cow yet, maybe they keep them inside, it
is pretty cold here. Another grand welcome literally, with red carpet and led into the
local primary school hall on the arm of a young Japanese boy.
Display time:
Time to relax at last I can enjoy watching some gymnastics.
Farewell Banquet:
I have never seen so many dark suited men in one place! Susan Cushman from
Canada is the life & soul of the party.

A wonderful trip, we can learn a lot from the Japanese and I really appreciated their hospitality.

Margaret Woolf