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Christine Hero & the NT Junior Team –
Making It Count
For the first time since 2017, the Northern Territory is sending a Representative Team to a National competition—and coach Christina Heron is leading the charge with passion and purpose. Alongside co-coach Charlotte Ballantyne and mentor Anna Collins, she is guiding the NT Junior Team to AusCaliCarnivale 2025 with pride. Their group of 11 enthusiastic performers is united by a shared goal: to shine on stage and represent their home with heart. “Each girl brings her own bubbly personality,” Christina says, “and despite our size, we’re determined to show everyone what the NT is capable of.”
Christina’s coaching journey is shaped by a powerful combination of lived experience and a deep love for the sport. Having started calisthenics at age five in Melbourne alongside her sisters, she quickly fell in love with the sparkle, stage, and spirit of competition. Although she stepped away during high school and later relocated for her role in the Australian Defence Force, calisthenics welcomed her back with open arms when she joined Arafura Calisthenics in Darwin. This new community became her home away from home and gave her the connection she needed while living far from family.
Her coaching style is rooted in encouragement, resilience, and a strong team ethos. She and the NT Junior Team chant “MAKE IT COUNT” at each rehearsal, reinforcing the four pillars that define their performance values: Sass, Confidence, Expression, and Control. Their MJ-inspired March routine has become a team favourite, combining high energy, precision, and fun. Christina is filled with pride when referring to the effort her team puts in—even when faced with challenges. “They give it their all, regardless of what’s thrown their way,” she shares.
As a first-time Nationals coach and participant, Christina credits much of her team’s progress to mentorship. “I knew I wanted guidance, so I asked Anna Collins to be our mentor,” she explains. “Her knowledge and support have been instrumental.” Christina believes mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for emerging coaches, helping refine routines, boost confidence, and build leadership capacity. She hopes others take the same leap into coaching and lean into the wisdom of those who’ve walked the path before.
Looking ahead to AusCaliCarnivale 2025, Christina is eager for NT’s soloists, club teams, and representative team to make their mark. “We may be small, but we’re fierce,” she says with pride. For Christina, calisthenics is more than a sport—it’s a lifelong community that adapts with you, offers strength in uncertainty, and uplifts through shared passion. Her journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and the promise of what’s possible when you believe in your team and your voice.
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