By Bonny Burrows
When it comes to sport, the Ross family are kicking goals left, right and centre.
Cardinia Shire councillor Collin Ross and 11-year-old daughter Zhimei have both been chosen to represent Victoria in their chosen sports.
The pair is celebrating each other’s success after the news Cr Ross has made the Victorian AFL Masters Team and Zhimei has qualified for the Victorian Gymnastics team.
Cr Ross is no stranger to state competition, having made the team before, and captaining the side in 2008.
For Zhimei, her acceptance is a dream come true.
Having trained in gymnastics from the age of three years, her love of the sport began the moment she could walk.
“When I was younger I used to jump around on all the furniture,” Zhimei said.
That passion has turned into a promising career.
Zhimei now trains 20 hours a week with the Waverley Gymnastics Club and regularly travels across the state for competitions.
Last year she took home the title of 2016 Victorian Bars Champion at level five, but this year she’s aiming even higher.
Representing the state at the Trans Bass Challenge, Zhimei and her teammates will compete against South Australia and Tasmania’s best gymnasts.
The Trans Bass Challenge is held every year with competition in all four apparatus, and gymnasts compete both individually and in a team.
Zhimei said it was one of her goals to make the team, however her biggest dream was to one day compete in the Olympics.
“Yeah, it’s a big dream, but that’s the ultimate goal – the Olympics,” she said.
“Who knows? We will see.”
Cr Ross said he couldn’t have been prouder watching his daughter’s gymnastics career flourish before his eyes.
“I’m a very nervous dad when I watch, but a very proud one,” he said.
“She works and trains very hard, she’s incredible.”
