A BENDIGO South East College aerobics team has reached the finals of the National School Aerobics Championships.
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The BSE Red year eight and nine team qualified for the Gold Coast championships in August by winning the state finals in Geelong.
Coach Ebony Anglin said the team had come a long way in a short time, with aerobics only being introduced at the school last year.
It has quickly gained in popularity.
"When I approached our principal and asked him if we could run aerobics, I thought we'd have only one team - we got five," Anglin said.
"This year we have had 76 kids involved across 10 teams, which is fantastic.
"The appeal is it's fun, but it's competitive - it's a good balance between the two.
"Even though it's a big group, the interaction between year 7s through to year 10s is a real positive."
The Red team comprises a group of year 9 students and one year 8 member Miranda Johnson-James.
She said it had been great to be a part of the team’s development.
“We have improved a crazy amount,” Miranda said.
“We’re really looking forward to the (finals) experience and feeling like we belong as a lot of other teams are far more experienced than us.”
Miranda and her teammates Jessica Matthews, Grace Broad, Emma Gatford, Hannah Martin and Tia Cowling have taken on mentor roles, coaching the school’s year seven squad members.
“It’s a good opportunity for us. It’s quite an eye-opener seeing how we can improve as individuals,” Miranda said.
“Aerobics has given me the greatest experiences, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
BSE's year 10 team has also qualified for the nationals after placing fourth in Geelong.
