I was born Ailish Alison Nolan on the 5th September, 1985, and  live in Johannesburg with my favorite (and only) brother, Thomas (aged 12) and Mom and Dad, who maintain that they are both still 21..   I graduated from from Risidale Primary December 1998, and am now finishing my fourth year in Northliff  High School, and guess what, I'm loving it..

My Mom comes from New Zealand, and was also a Gymnast, being awarded   Provincial Colours.  My Dad on the other hand, comes from Ireland and he did not ... Now, am I glad I was born in South Africa. Otherwise, instead of Gymnastics, I might have played on the wing for the All Blacks, and danced to the steps of the Riverdance, instead of  Gymnastics.   Wow !!
 

My brother, Thomas prefers Soccer and Cricket, playing both at school. He also plays soccer for Marks Park Football Club, in the Under 12 League. In addition, he has now become an authority on Rugby, and quickly puts me in my place, when I ask why a Rugby Ball is shaped like an egg. 
Seriously, as little brothers go, he has got to be one of the better ones, and also quite cute looking !!. He is there for me always, coming to all my home competitions, and encouraging me all the way. .

I started in Gymnastics at the  age of  7, and since then, have never looked back. It has become such an important part of my life, in fact second nature!!!  It is a perfectionist sport, which calls for great investment in terms of time, commitment, and concentration. You play hard and train hard for that moment of 'pay back', as you make that 'perfect' dismount, and await in anticipation for the judges scoring...
The Highs and Lows are extreme, but after each competition, you just can't wait to get back into training, and do better in the next one.

My favorite routine is Bars, as at this point in time, it is my strongest apparatus. I also like doing Floor,  partially because the crowd is less tense, and more responsive. My objective is to master my Flik Flack, followed by a Full Twisting Tuck on Beam, and Triple Twist on Floor, in the near future. When things are going well i.e. one of the highs referred to above, the elements on Beam are exhilarating. 

Learning new routines is refreshing.

Among my favorite Gymnasts are:

• Svetlana Khorkina, 2001 World Champion (all round), who in spite of  her height, has conquered the Uneven Bars, and made this routine her specialty. Svetlana won Gold for her Bar Routine in the 2000 Olympics, and and a 3rd placing in the 1999  World Championships, in China..
• Andrea Raducan, who won Gold both in the individual and team events in the 2000 Olympics. Unfortunately, she was stripped of her individual Gold, through no fault of her own. I admire her courage and dedication.  She won silver in this years World Champs.  
• Simona Amanar, from Romania, who won Gold, in last years Olympics, and a 2nd placing individual for Vault, in  the 1999 World Champs in China. Brilliant to watch on Vault. She of course, is also a member of the winning team, Romania.

I collect soft toys, and now have a large collection of Teddy Bears, and other animals.

I like music, and rate among my favorites Bon Jovi, Ronan Keating, Savage Garden, Alanis Morisette, and Shania Twain.

I like going to the movies, when I have the time, and of course watching TV - Friends, Just Shoot Me, Spin City and Melrose Place. Between school work and gym, it is difficult to find the time to watch TV, but when the pressure is on, it is good to "time out"  for a while.