Brief

Regent Calisthenics College aims for state title at Palais Theatre

Sophie Day and teammates travel from Geelong to compete for the coveted CaliChamp crown.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:22:24 GMT

Sophie Day, a police custody officer from Geelong, will compete with Regent Calisthenic College at the state championships – the elite CaliChamp event – on Sunday at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Day has driven 220 kilometres three times this week to train with Regent, where rehearsals can last up to four hours and see her returning home after 11.30 pm. Regent, the club that revived in 2009 after a 12‑year closure, will face five other clubs in what the article describes as the "calisthenics equivalent of the AFL grand final".

Brooke Synnott, co‑principal of Regent, said the club is "probably in the best position" to win, citing a season that includes one senior competition win and a runner‑up finish at last year’s state championships. The team was also runner‑up at the previous year’s event.

Former competitor Siena Tainsh, who injured her knee at the 2025 championships, has recovered and will also compete on Sunday. Tainsh is noted as the girlfriend of North Melbourne AFL player Zane Duursma.

Regent’s senior coach Rachel Fenton and senior members Darci Gurney, Jayna Soh and April Henwood are also highlighted, while the article notes that elite participants typically fund their sport themselves – Day estimates a $3,000 annual cost – and hold day jobs rather than earning six‑figure salaries.

Key facts

• Regent Calisthenic College will compete in the CaliChamp state championships at the Palais Theatre on Sunday. (smh.com.au)
• Sophie Day travels 220 km from Geelong to train with Regent, often rehearsing up to four hours. (smh.com.au)
• Brooke Synnott says Regent is "probably in the best position" to win after a season with one win and one runner‑up. (smh.com.au)
• Siena Tainsh, who injured her knee at the 2025 event, will compete again after recovery. (smh.com.au)
• Elite calisthenics participants like Day spend about $3,000 annually and hold day jobs. (smh.com.au)

Sources

• [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Calisthenics state championships: Everything you need to know about the elite CaliChamp event at the Palais Theatre”