Top provincial gymnasts compete in Amherstburg

Approximately 1,300 gymnasts and their coaches from around Ontario came to the Libro Centre in Amherstburg last weekend for the 2025 Ontario Gymnastics Championships. One of the participants was Cameron Meloche, an 11-year-old boy from Amherstburg. He competed last Thursday and participated again Saturday evening in an “all-stars” event. He shows his skills on the rings.

Flips, twirls, vaults and balancing were demonstrated en masse last weekend at the Libro Centre.

The 2025 Ontario Gymnastics Championships returned to Amherstburg with events running last Thursday through Sunday. Events were split between the main arena pad now that the ice has been removed and the indoor sports field nearby.

The event was sponsored by Rose City Gymnastics with president Diana Giorgi saying upwards of 1,300 athletes participated. There were 900 or so female athletes participating with approximately 400 male athletes joining them. Giorgi estimated that 5,000 spectators from all over Ontario viewed the competition.

Female athletes ranged from Levels 6-10 while male athletes went from young gymnasts to national calibre competitors. It was co-presented by Gymnastics Ontario.

“It’s a really good event for us to host,” said Giorgi. 

The Ontario Gymnastics Championships were held at the Libro Centre for at least three years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and this was the first year post-COVID that it was in Amherstburg. Giorgi said this was great for Rose City Gymnastics to have here and said it was a great team building exercise for them.

Giorgi added gymnasts who performed the last time they were here are no longer here with new gymnasts making memories. Area hotels and bed and breakfasts were booked and she added Rose City Gymnastics informed local restaurants they could be busy. 

“Amherstburg is a captive audience,” she said. “The Libro Centre is great. They do a great job.”

Not only was the provincial competition held in Amherstburg, it featured some local competitors as well. Cameron Meloche was one of the local athletes featured in the competition, with the local 11-year-old training at the Alpha Gymnastics Club.

Cameron Meloche on vault during last Saturday’s portion of the event. The gymnastics championships were sponsored by Rose City Gymnastics.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I’m really happy to be competing in my hometown. You don’t have to travel far. I’m very proud to be representing Alpha Gymnastics.”

Meloche has been a gymnast for approximately three years and placed sixth out of 33 athletes in Level P2 U13. His second place finish in the vault last Thursday allowed him to qualify for the all-star competition that was held last Saturday evening. 

“It’s pretty exciting,” said his mother Jean. “He gets to show off his talents.”

Meloche’s favourite event is the vault, but it is one of six events he competes in. He also competes in the parallel bars, high bar, floor, rings and pommel horse. 

“I like that I’m good at it,” he said of gymnastics. “I like that it gets challenging at some points. I find it fun. The flips are really fun for me.”

Top provincial gymnasts compete in Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu