Between 27th of November and 1st December, the National Danish Performance Team (NDPT) was in Melbourne, Australia! Members of the team and their support staff (physical advisors, physios, coaches, team managers etc etc) were all billeted out to generous families from the Jets community. On behalf of the NDPT we extend our thanks to all those who hosted members of the NDPT. The Danish team members were all very happy to be sleeping in a bed (or on a matress!) having spent many nights over the past 2 months sleeping in gyms and on the floor!

For those of you who did not have the privilege of spending time with the 2008-2009 NDPT, let me explain a little about the history and significance of this unique group!

What is the National Danish Performance Team?

The NDPT is a group of 14 men and 14 women aged 20-27 years old. Members were carefully selected following an audition process, as well as an interview to assess their personality, culture and suitability to be part of the team. A different NDPT is formed every two or three years, with each group travelling the world performing for audiences and giving creative workshops along the way.

The 2008-2009 NDPT was selected in February 2008, after which members trained and rehearsed intensively throughout the Danish summer, in preparation for their world tour which commenced in September 2008. Prior to arriving in Melbourne, the NDPT had already wowed audiences in Germany, Africa and Japan, and in Queensland and NSW.

In total, the World Tour will take these remarkable young adults to more than 15 countries, including China (Hong Kong), India, USA, Costa Rica, Colombia, England, Scotland, Austria, Solvakia, Check Republic, Poland and Norway! The Australian leg of the tour was about 2 months into the 10 month journey - so our Danish friends were already well-travelled!

Aside from delivering stunning performances consisting of a mixture of gymnastics, tumbling, dance, rhythmic gymnastics, comedy, acrobatics, mini trampoline stunts and more - the NDPT members are wonderful ambassadors for their nation. It was a pleasure meeting these young adults and learning more about their style of gymnastics and Danish culture.

We hope to be able to host the NDPT again one day!

What are the main differences between gymnastics in Denmark and gymnastics in Australia?

Gymnastics in Denmark is both very similar, and quite different to gymnastics as most Australians understand it. For example, in Denmark, the predominant type of gymnastics does not involve the traditional apparatus (vault, bars, beam, floor, rings, pommel, p-bars) such as we see in Women or Mens Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Games. The Danes train and perform their gymnastics largely on wooden floors (like a basketball stadium) with the assistance of mats, crashmats, mini trampolines and in some cases hoops, ropes, and balls (as we see in Rhythmic Gymnastics). 

In Denmark, not only is gymnastics one of the nation's official sports, but approximately 1 in 10 Danes participate regularly in some form of gymnastics. 

Gymnastics is Denmark is practised primarily in teams, with participants ranging in ages from toddlers to grandparents! The focus is on maintaining lifelong health and fitness, with an emphasis on FUN!

What is involved with the Gala Performance?

The gymnastics performance is a 1-1½ hour event. The performance consists of different routines changing in genres and contents – from movements in a rapid pace to insistent, humorous and classical, graceful movements. The entirety and flow of the performance are supported by change of gym suits, choice of music and expressions.

• Traditional Danish gymnastics - including classical gymnastics tools – e.g. skipping rope, ball, hoop and clubs.
• Modern rhythmic gymnastics - inspired by development and trends of time – e.g. modern dance, funk, hip hop, street, parkour.
• Artistic vaulting and tumbling - traditional jumping on mats, trampoline and newly invented gymnastics equipment.
• Colourful show items - e.g. humorous elements, individual performances.

The entire programme is a team effort, choreographed by the instructors and performed by the gymnasts. Throughout the world tour the programme is continuously developed and changed.

Click here for photos of the NDPT's stay in Melbourne! (more photos and videos to come - if you have photos of the NDPT's stay in Melbourne and would like to see them up on the Jets website, please email them to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Promotional Video: http://www.dgi.dk/OmDGI/Verdensholdet/video.aspx

For more information regarding the National Danish Performance Team, check out the team's official website at: http://www.dgi.dk/OmDGI/Verdensholdet/english.aspx