Understanding Competitions

As a new parent to Physie, it can be difficult to understand the competitions and what is required. Competitions are completely optional, although they are a great way to build confidence and meet other Physie girls from all over Australia. It’s a wonderful experience designed to encourage girls to become comfortable performing in a safe, positive environment.

There are two types of BJP Physie competitions. The first is team-based with 8 girls or ladies in one team performing routines together and the second is called Champion Girl, where girls pursue their individual goals. There are various competitions throughout the year, with Club Chocky Comps, Interclubs, Zone, Repechage and final National competitions.

*For full BJP Competition Dress Rules and Code of Conduct, please see members portal.

What is Chocky Comp?

Chocky comp is held by the club, usually in June. It gives the girls (and parents) an idea of what they can expect at upcoming individual competitions. The venue will be set up with a viewing area, with parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters all encouraged to come along and watch their girls in this very friendly practise competition. 

The girls get to dress as they would for a competition: Your best BJP leotard and/or performance wear, matching ribbon/bow/scruchie for juniors, hair done neatly, lip stick and blush is allowed for the juniors (see full BJP Competition Dress rules in the members portal). Here the girls will learn what it is like to be organised, for a heat, placed on the physie floor, shown markers to stand on, and perform their physie work in front of two judges (typically two of the teachers who will be sitting on the stage). The girls will receive tips, feedback and best of all a chocolate/lolly. Videoing of your child / family member is allowed but only from the back of the dance floor, this is a BJP rule.

What is an Interclub Competition?

Interclub competitions are organised in July and/or August each year to give our girls practice at performing in front of an audience, and prepare the girls for the upcoming competitions. Interclubs involve a small number of clubs (usually 5 – 10 clubs) and girls compete in their age group in heats of about 10-15 girls. Places are awarded to each heat and every competitor receives a medal.

WSH Physie Club competes in two interclubs each year.

At an interclub competition the same rules apply as for the zone competitions. The key points for junior girls are that they must wear an approved BJP leotard, no teasing of hair, no tanning and only minimal makeup (foundation, blush and lipstick only).

Interclubs are a great way for girls to gain confidence and build friendships with other girls from WSHPCC.

What are Junior Zone Competitions or “Champion Girl”?

Zone competitions, also referred to as “Champion Girl” for girls aged 5-12 years take place from the last weekend in August through to September. BJP release dates mid-way through the year which specifically inform us of the time and day for each age group. WSH Physie, is officially part of what if known as the LIVERPOOL zone. This competition is run by the BJP Association. At these competitions, girls compete in heats of 10-15 girls. The number of heats for each age group varies depending on the number of girls entered in that age group. From the heats, the judges choose semi-finals and these girls drill once again. From this, the judges will pick a final, these girls will once again drill for a final time. The judges then award places (usually 5). Girls aged 6-12 years, who gain a place at the Zone competition go straight through to the National Finals held at the end of November. Junior girls who make it through to the Zone final but do not place have another chance to make it to the National Finals by participating at the Repechage competition. The 5 Years age group are placed at their Zone competition, however, do not progress through to Repechage or Junior Nationals.

All girls who compete in a Zone competition will receive a participation medal. We encourage all girls to participate in the Zone competitions and those eligible to participate in the Repechage competition. We are always proud of our girls for trying their best and representing our club so well. 

Repechage

The Repechage competition is usually held at the end of October and is run in the same way as the Zone competitions. Girls from the ages of 6-12 years, from all around the country come together and the judges award 5 places in each age group. These 5 girls will go through to the National Finals held at Homebush.

What is a Physie Team?

In Physie, a team comprises 8 girls. The girls train together with the objective of competing at the BJP team competitions held at Homebush in early November.

At WSH Physie we place a lot of importance on the team competitions because we value the positive outcomes of being a member of a Physie team, such as understanding commitment and learning to work together. 

At the team competitions, girls are judged on their ability to keep in time with each other, correct Physie positions and their confidence to perform. Usually, the teams are broken into 2 or 3 sections. Places are awarded in each section and then the winners of each section perform again with an overall winner being presented with a trophy. It is an outstanding achievement to take home the overall trophy.

The girls wear long sleeved black leotards or performance wear (supplied by the club, we charge $5 to each member to cover the cost of wear and tear, laundry). WSH Physie girls enjoy their team competition at Homebush, all with the support and encouragement from their teachers and parents.

What are Junior National Finals?

National Finals are held at Homebush at the end of November. Junior Physie girls from all around Australia who placed at their zone competition or placed at repechage come together for the National Finals. It is always a very exciting day.

At this competition girls compete in heats. The judges then select semi finals and the girls drill again. Then the judges select a final to drill one more time. At the end of the session the National Champion in each age group is announced and another 4 places are awarded.

What is Senior Champion Girl & Opera House Senior Finals?

Senior champion girl is for girls aged 13 years and over. The competition is held at Homebush in November and the girls will compete in heats and then semis. A final of 15 girls is then selected and presented. These girls go on to compete in the final at the Sydney Opera House in late November / early December for 5 places in each section. At the end of the evening, an overall winner is announced as the BJP Grand Champion Girl for Open Seniors. It is the most anticipated competition of the Physie year, with so many beautiful Physie girls performing in the Grand Concert Hall. Please note there is no repechage for Seniors.

How do Ladies Competitions Work?

Ladies competitions follow a similar format to the juniors. Ladies have the option to compete in interclub competitions. These are competitions between a small number of clubs (usually 5 -10 clubs) to practice performing in a competitive situation. Ladies team competitions take place in October and November each year and are in eight sections: Novice ladies, Intermediate Ladies, Open Under 33 Years, Open 33 Years & Over, Open 40 Years & Over, Open 50 Years & Over, Open 60 Years & Over and Open 70 Years & Over. There is no repechage for Ladies.

All Ladies have the option to compete in individual competitions, however they are not compulsory.

These ladies competitions are broken into 8 sections that are set out below:
• Novice Ladies: Competition for ladies who have not competed in Physie for 15 years or more or have never done Physie before. Zones competitions held during late September / October. Judges award places. These place getters progress to the National Competition held at Homebush in November.

• Intermediate Ladies: Competition for ladies who have competed in Novice Ladies for 3 years (for those who have never done Physie before) or 2 years (for those who have done Physie before or for ladies returning to Physie within 15 years and last competed in a junior section). Zone competitions held during late September / October. Judges award places and these place getters progress to the National competition held at Homebush in November.

• Open Under 33 Years: Zones competitions held during late September / October. Judges award places and these place getters progress to the National Competition held at Homebush in November.

• Open 33 Years & Over: Zones competitions held during late September / October. Judges award places and these place getters progress to the National Competition held at Homebush in November.

• Open 40 Years & Over: Competition held in October at Homebush. Winner progresses to National Competition held at Homebush Centre in November.

• Open 50 Years & Over: Competition held in October at Homebush. Winner progresses to National competition held at Homebush in November.

• Open 60 Years & Over: Competition held in October at Homebush. Winner progresses to National competition held at Homebush in November.

• Open 70 Years & Over: Competition held in October at. Winner progresses to National competition held at Homebush in November.

What is a Club Competition?

The Physie year ends with our club competition (however, sometimes due to BJP competition timetable this is held in October). This is a celebration of all the years achievements, and the girls get to compete in their age group (only against girls in our club) for the last time for the year. This is where we award girls for marching, dance, pointy toes, we also give out places in their age groups, as well as awarding a junior and senior club champion.