A4

by Darcey McLaughlin

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A former member of the Romanian National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team wants to teach Miramichi children the sport she loves.

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Miruna Timottn moved to Miramichi with her husband in 2006. They brought with them their now five-year-old daughter and have a two-year-old son, born in Canada.

"My husband was looking for a house with a beach somewhere in Canada so we ended up in Oak Point," she said.

Timottn has decided to begin teaching the Olympic sport of rhythmic gymnastics. She will hold classes at the Golden Hawk Recreation Centre beginning Sept. 15. Classes are for children age 5-10 and are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Registration is Sept. 13 during the mass registration for sports programs at the Douglastown Community Centre.

Timottn her husband suggested she get back into the sport after she retired and she began planning to teach the sport before she came to Canada.

"I took rhythmic gymnastics since I was five. I gave up when I was 14 and my last two years were in the national team of Romania. We were suppose to go to the Sydney Olympics but we didn't have money," she explained.

She spent most of her career training with CSS Bucharest, an internationally well known rhythmic gymnastics club. After her retirement at age 14, she was out of the sport for several years.

"Afterwards I didn't do anything for a while and then the last couple of years just before I came to Canada I went to my former trainer and asked if I could sit by her side and do some training with her. So that's what I did."

Last year she decided to look into the idea further.

"I said I'll come here and try to open a school. I called CDBC and and asked 'Is this really possible? Can I open my own school?' and that's how it happened," she said.

If things go well Timottn said she may expand her offerings allowing for more advanced classes that would take part in competitions. She may also offer a class for seniors saying it is a fun and efficient way to stay in shape.