Cue 1 - Spotlight - GO!
The NSW Dowling Intermediate Team
Josephine after competing at Ballarat – with her mother and grandmother.
Josephine Chabi & the NSW Dowling Intermediates:
From Spatulas to Spotlights: How Inspiration Fuels the NSW Dowling Intermediates
At this year’s AusCaliCarnivale, the spotlight shines on the Dowling Intermediates—a determined, tight-knit team representing New South Wales with spirit and pride. Co-coached by Josephine Chabi and Brittany Barr, this group of just young competitors carries the hopes of an entire state, embodying the heart of grassroots calisthenics. With only 14 intermediates in the whole state they’ve pushed through limited resources, minimal local infrastructure, and the challenge of growing a community in a small but mighty state. “They’re self-sufficient, patient, and lift each other at every turn,” says Josephine, who beams at their adaptability and the choreography they bring to life each session.
Josephine’s own calisthenics story is a generational one. Born into a family that helped pioneer the sport in NSW, she was on stage before she could walk—literally. Her mother danced pregnant, and Josephine would go on to do the same in Ballarat decades later. Now, with her daughter as a third-generation calisthenics performer, Josephine pours her energy into building a thriving culture for future generations. What drew her to coaching was the magic of those early moments—teaching subbies to coordinate their bodies, cracking jokes, and seeing them discover their own strength.
Despite being from the smallest state in terms of participation, Nationals has always been a source of inspiration for Josephine and her team. “I remember leaving Queensland Nationals and practicing with a spatula and ladle in the hotel room,” she laughs. While the Dowling Intermediates face unique battles they’re fiercely innovative. From e-crits to digital coaching badges and introducing cali to dance schools, NSW is finding creative ways to grow.
The team trains hard but connects even harder. Their bond is forged over shared TikToks, watching past performances, and cheering each other on. “They love a laugh—even at us—but they also reflect on how far they’ve come,” Josephine shares. Her advice to future coaches? “Know your strengths, lean into your people, and don’t take it personally—it’s business.” As AusCaliCarnivale approaches, she’s most excited to see how new competition formats evolve and how the sport continues to embrace inclusivity. Her dream? A more accessible, visible, and united future for calisthenics in NSW and beyond.
The entire Dowling Club has rallied around the Intermediate Team to ensure they shine on stage. Danielle Lamour—President of NSW Calisthenics and coach of the Dowling Seniors—joins Sarah Jane Barr as a dedicated mentor. Sarah Jane also plays the vital role of team manager, while Michelle Dowling brings the team’s vision to life through costume design. Every Dowling coach and family has thrown their support behind the team, gemming and crafting headpieces with care. With Josephine and Brittany serving as co-coaches, this truly is a whole-of-club effort to prepare the Intermediates for AuCaliCarnivale.
