She not only qualified to compete in the State competition in early August in Sydney but was also named overall champion and level two champion at the trials held in Inverell on Sunday last week.

Leonie, who was the only gymnast to enter the trials from the Lightning Ridge club this year, said she was very nervous leading up to the day and certainly did not think she was going to finish level two champion, let alone overall champion.

"The routine was different this year, because I'm now a level two."

Leonie said she found the rope component the most difficult.

"I had to throw the rope up in the air a few times and I was worried that I might drop it."

The 10-year-old was one of three gymnasts who were selected to enter the State competition.

Her instructor Leanne Sweatman said her vigorous training and persistence paid off when she came up against about 15 other competitors.

Leonie had to perform a set routine in freehand, rope and hoop and excelled on all accounts.

Her mother, Liz Gawthorpe said her daughter had been undertaking gymnastics since she was five years old and took on the rhythmic class at the beginning of last year.

"She had been practising for about a month leading up to the trials."

Leonie is the first Lightning Ridge gymnast to gain the overall champion status at State trials, although the club succeeded in qualifying four gymnasts for the State competition last year.

The 10-year-old gymnast will now be working on perfecting her routine for the State competition.

She went home with a trophy for finishing overall champion, a medal for becoming level two champion, three certificates for finishing first place and a certificate acknowledging her selection for the State competition.

Mrs Sweatman said this was the first time a gymnast from the local club had picked up a trophy at State trials.