Hard Work Pays Off: Noah Saad Recognised at Gymnastics NSW Awards
Sydney Hills Gymnastics is celebrating one of its rising Men’s Artistic Gymnastics athletes, Noah, who was recently named International Development Athlete of the Year at the Gymnastics NSW Annual Awards.
For 11-year-old Noah, the moment was both exciting and overwhelming. “I felt nervous, excited and proud about winning the award,” he said. “I was really proud that I had been nominated and happy with how I performed across all my events. My heart was beating really fast when I went up to accept the award.”
The recognition follows a remarkable 2025 competition season in which Noah continued a streak of strong performances and personal bests, winning the MAG Level 5 Under NSW Junior State Champion title, to make it three state titles in a row.
Throughout the season, he also recorded multiple scores above 10, an impressive achievement for a young gymnast.
Behind those scores is a focus on the small details. “My Coach Sasha and I worked really hard on every apparatus,” Noah explained. “We focused on things like pointing my toes, straightening my legs and keeping strong through my core. Getting scores above 10 showed me that the hard work in training really makes a difference.”
Coach Sasha says Noah’s commitment to training is what sets him apart. “Noah’s training stands out because of his consistency when repeating skills or entire routines. He often trains more complex skills than required, so he is prepared for future levels. Because he never likes to stand still, he progresses very quickly.”
One of Noah’s most memorable improvements in 2025 came on the high bar, which has become his favourite apparatus.
Earlier in the season, Noah fell during his routine at Grand Prix One. Instead of letting the mistake affect him, he used it as motivation.
At the following competition, he returned with renewed confidence, scoring 10.800 on high bar. “That showed me how important it is to stay positive and keep going,” Noah said.
Coach Sasha also recalls Noah’s high bar routine at the 2025 NSW Junior State Championships as a highlight of the season. “He delivered one of his best routines with precision, exceptional amplitude and expressiveness. It was truly the routine of a champion, and I am very proud of him.”
The upcoming season will bring new challenges, with updated compulsory routines that introduce more complex skills for young male gymnasts.
But both athlete and coach are ready for the challenge. “In 2026, I’m looking forward to getting stronger and fitter,” Noah said. “I’m also excited to learn new gymnastics skills and improve across all the apparatus.”
Sasha believes Noah’s mindset will continue to drive his success. “His strongest qualities are his mental resilience, concentration and motivation to improve. Noah loves to win, but more importantly, he loves to get better.”
For Noah, gymnastics is more than just competition results. “We support and encourage each other like brothers,” he said. “It’s a big honour to represent Sydney Hills Gymnastics, and I’m proud to have found a gym to call home.”
