Waverley on the World Stage: 2026 World Challenge Cup Tour
Waverley gymnasts Audrey Hawkins and Haylee Whitehead have returned from an exciting two-stop international campaign representing Australia at the 2026 FIG World Challenge Cups in Szombathely, Hungary and Paris, France, alongside WGC Coach Candice, who travelled as part of the Australian coaching team.
Competing amongst an impressive international field, the tour provided Audrey and Haylee with another valuable opportunity to wear the Green and Gold, test themselves against gymnasts from around the world and continue building their experience on the international stage.
Szombathely, Hungary
The first stop of the tour saw the Australian team travel to Szombathely, where Audrey competed across Vault, Beam and Floor, while Haylee took to Vault and Uneven Bars.
Audrey produced a strong showing across her three apparatus, finishing 11th on Vault with 12.449, 13th on Beam with 12.233, and 22nd on Floor with 11.033.
Haylee also delivered some impressive work, finishing 13th on Vault with 12.383 and placing an excellent 12th on Uneven Bars with 11.966.
While the girls narrowly missed progressing to the apparatus finals, there was plenty for them to take away from their performances and the experience of competing against a quality international field.
Paris, France
From Hungary, the tour continued to Paris for the second World Challenge Cup, giving Audrey and Haylee another opportunity to compete in Australian colours just one week later.
Both girls produced particularly strong results on Vault, with Haylee finishing 11th and Audrey immediately behind her in 12th, both recording an average score of 12.550. Haylee also competed on Uneven Bars, finishing 21st with 11.900.
Audrey rounded out her Paris campaign with 21st on Beam, scoring 11.250, and 29th on Floor, scoring 10.950.
Although neither gymnast progressed to the apparatus finals in Paris, finishing just outside the top ten on Vault was a fantastic result for Haylee and Audrey amongst another strong international field.
An International Experience to Be Proud Of
Across two countries and two World Challenge Cups, Audrey and Haylee represented Australia and Waverley with great pride. Opportunities to compete internationally are an important part of an athlete’s development, and the experience gained from preparing, competing and adapting across consecutive international events is invaluable.
We are incredibly proud of both girls and everything they achieved throughout the tour. To see two Waverley gymnasts competing together in the Green and Gold on the World Challenge Cup circuit is something very special for our club and community.
A huge congratulations also goes to Coach Candice, who was selected as part of the Australian coaching team for the tour. Travelling internationally in a coaching capacity at this level is a significant achievement in its own right, and we are extremely proud to see Candice recognised with the opportunity to support Team Australia across both events.
Congratulations Audrey, Haylee and Candice on a fantastic international campaign. You represented Waverley with distinction, and we loved cheering you on from home!