Young gymnasts in Queensland have reported experiences of bullying, fat-shaming, and humiliation at a local gymnastics club. These allegations have emerged as families of the athletes raised concerns about the treatment their children received, particularly from a new coach who joined the club late last year. The club, however, has denied these claims, stating that an internal investigation found no evidence to support the allegations.

Among the athletes is 13-year-old Alana Mason, who has trained at the club for over half her life. She described how the new coach's comments about her body made her feel uncomfortable and diminished her love for gymnastics. "[They'd] say that we were like, bigger than the other girls — like we had more fat on," Alana recalled. Her parents noticed a change in her eating habits, as she began to avoid meals at school, fearing ridicule.

Eighteen-year-old Tahlia Shields, another gymnast, shared her own negative experiences with the new coach. She felt isolated and belittled, stating, "I felt so worthless and useless because I just thought I wasn't worth any of her time." Both Alana and Tahlia, along with five other athletes, voiced their concerns to the club's management in March, months after the new coach's arrival.

The club confirmed that it held meetings with families and interviewed staff regarding the complaints. However, the athletes' families claimed their children were not interviewed. The club later decided to return the athletes to their previous coach, but the families felt their concerns were not taken seriously. They subsequently reported the situation to Gymnastics Australia and Sports Integrity Australia, which referred the complaints back to the club. The club concluded that the allegations could not be substantiated.

In May, after competing at the state championships, Tahlia and Alana's families received an email stating that their gymnastics squad was being disbanded immediately. The club cited a lack of resources and the need for proper supervision as reasons for the closure, denying any connection to the complaints made by the athletes.

Gymnastics Australia, initially unaware of the allegations, has since committed to launching a new investigation with an independent expert. General manager Hannah Barnes acknowledged the dissatisfaction surrounding the matter and emphasized the organization's commitment to fair processes.

Alana's mother expressed relief that their concerns were finally being acknowledged, stating, "I actually cried because it's a sense of relief. Finally someone's listening, finally something's happened."

Advocates for athlete rights have expressed cautious optimism about the new investigation, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing such serious allegations. Gymnastics Australia has stated it is working closely with all parties involved to ensure a thorough review of the situation.