Dandy star

By Emma Sun
Amy first visited the physiotherapist after she sustained an ankle injury during a competition in 2009, which threw her out of the sport for a year.
“At the time I was really upset because another girl had to take my spot in the team,” Amy said.
“I went to the physio pretty much straight after (the injury).”
She was sent to the hospital, where sports physiotherapist Rosie Malloy helped her with her injury.
“As soon as I saw Amy I knew this was a determined young lady who wouldn’t let too much stand in her way,” Ms Malloy said.
“Her goal was to get to the National Aerobics Competition and our goal was to get her there.”
Getting back into shape after a year-long break proved to be hard on Amy, but determination helped pull her through.
“When I first started, everyone else could do everything and I was working really hard to keep up,” Amy said.
“It was really hard because I lost a lot of muscle and my fitness went right down because I hadn’t done anything in a long time.”
Nevertheless, much to Amy’s delight, her team succeeded at Nationals and qualified for Boot Camp for World Aerobics Qualification in April 2010.
However, her persistent ankle pain became a big concern not long after the qualifier, as it greatly hindered her aerobics training.
“A CT scan following MRI confirmed that Amy now had formed a partial fusion of two ankle bones,” Ms Malloy said.
“Surgery was recommended that would require six to 12 months off sport and loss of a chance of World Championships.”
To add salt to her wound, Amy also injured her hip during training, which required surgery.
Despite the fact that Amy’s surgeon recommended she have surgery immediately, Amy said the decision to delay it in favour of the championships was an easy one to make.
“At the time I was devastated because all I’ve ever wanted to do was go to Worlds,” she said.
“I kept going to physio and kept improving and in the end there was no choice, I was going to Worlds.”
Making it through to the final round of the championships was a special moment for Amy and her team.
“We were very excited because in the finals, only six (teams) went through.
“As a team we all decided that our dream was to make finals and coming through was very exciting because that meant we did.”
Getting there wasn’t without its dramas, however, and Amy’s ankle acted up constantly.
“It hurt before I went on stage, but when I got up there, adrenaline took over and it didn’t hurt any more,” she said.
“Generally (my ankle) hurts even at home everyday. After a lot of walking it gets really painful. After the competition, it hurt.”
Amy attributed Ms Malloy’s long-term assistance to much of her success.
“She’s done pretty much everything,” Amy said.
“She showed me stretches I could do to help, and showed me how to tape my ankle during competition.
“She’s been very helpful.”
Behind every star there is a dedicated support crew, and Amy thanked her family and friends for their endless assistance.
“Family was a big part of my aerobics,” she said.
“All my friends as well. They have been very supportive because I went straight to aerobics after school and I was always busy when they wanted to go out.
“I’m really grateful to have them.”
Amy’s surgery for both injuries is scheduled for the end of this year, after she completes VCE.
“I’m not completely sure what I want to do after VCE, I’ll probably do something in the sport and fitness area,” Amy said.
“Maybe I’ll become a physio.”