Silver Medal for Matthew Gallant at Canadian Gymnastics Championships

Island Gymnastics Academy gymnasts represented PEI very well at the Canadian Gymnastics Championships, May 28-31 in Gatineau, QC. Matt Gallant posted PEI’s best results in National Open after qualifying in the top eight to compete in two event finals: rings and pommel horse. He claimed the silver medal on pommels and placed fifth on rings.  The pommels medal was a first for PEI. Gallant also qualified to the pommels event final at the recent Canada Games in Prince George, B.C.

 “Matt delivered an exceptional pommels routine to claim the silver medal. It was a really strong field of gymnasts and we could not be prouder. “ says coach C.J. Keliher. Keliher was recently named the PEI Canada Games team coach for the next four years heading into the 2019 Games. He is also completing his final module of the NCCP Level 4 coaching certification this week in Gatineau, making him one of only a handful of Level 4 coaches on PEI.

 Teammate Alex Mann placed 12^th all-around in the Open category.  Ryan McKenna competed in his first Nationals and placed 27^th all-around. A combined team of National Open gymnasts from both PEI and New Brunswick posted a 7^th place finish in the team competition.

 Senior Scott Chandler, who turns forty in June, competed in his final Nationals in the Senior division. He was made an Honorary National Team Member by Gymnastics Canada’s Men’s Program Director, Tony Smith, for his outstanding longevity in the sport and continuing to inspire gymnasts across the country with his spirit and determination.

Congratulations to Matt Gallant!!!  Matt took the silver medal on Pommels today in event finals at Canadian Championships.  This is the first national medal on pommels for PEI!!!  Fantastic!!  Matt is still to compete in the event finals on rings later today.  Good Luck!

Check out this article on Scott Chandler in the Guardian.

Good Luck to Ryan, Alex, Matt, Scott and CJ.  The men’s team is heading for Gatineau, Quebec this weekend to compete at Canadian Championships.  Ryan, Alex and Matt will be competing in National Open on Friday afternoon and Scott will be competing in Senior on Saturday evening.  Have a great competition!!

Schedule

Results

Legacy Funding for Athlete Training and Head Coach Position

Gymnastics PEI is pleased to announced that CJ Keliher has been hired as head coach of the Canada Games men’s gymnastics program for 2015-2019.

The position was made possible through a funding grant from the 2009 Canada Games Legacy Trust fund.

As head coach, Keliher will be responsible for overseeing the development of the next pool of men’s gymnasts as they prepare for the Canada Games. This includes athletes from both the Island Gymnastics Academy and the Summerside Saultos.

Keliher was the team’s assistant coach in 2011 and head coach in 2015 when the team finished 7^th overall.

The position is part-time. Keliher will also continue as the boy’s program director at the IGA.

Gymnastics PEI also received funding support from the Legacy Fund for four athletes training for the Games. These athletes are Isaac Bourque and Jesse Robertson on the men’s team and Selina Mahajer and Karisa Quinn on the women’s team.

These athletes train a minimum of 15 hours per week as well as competing at regional, national, and international meets every year. All four athletes were part of the team’s that attended the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!