5 Feb 2018

'Stella' additions to Commonwealth Games team

1:14 pm on 5 February 2018

Teenage gymnasts Stella Ashcroft and Stella Ebert are the latest addition to the New Zealand team for April's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

The pair are both 15 years old with Ashcroft from Christchurch selected in the artistic discipline and Ebert of Auckland to contest the rhythmic category.

Their selection takes the gymnastics team total to seven with 92 athletes all up so far named.

Though going into her first senior year Ashcroft is no stranger to podiums.

She won a bronze medal at the Pacific Rim Championships in 2016, before collecting a gold, silver, and a team bronze at the Junior Commonwealth Championships.

Last year enjoyed a top three finish at the Houston Invitational in the US, Australian Championships and Classic competitions and at the NZ Championships.

Her first competition as senior will be at the World Cup in Melbourne this month.

Stella Ebert, Rhythmic Gymnast.

Stella Ebert, Rhythmic Gymnast. Photo: Photosport

Last year was Ebert's first taste of senior competition having had plenty of success at junior level.

She made the finals of all her 2016 international competitions winning three bronze medals at the Junior Commonwealth Championships.

The New Zealand team is expected to total around 250 athletes for the Games.

-RNZ