Thirty-five school student gymnasts from MacKillop College, St Joseph's Regional College and St. John Paul College, Coffs Harbour took part in the championship on Tuesday, October 29.

MacKillop College teacher Jenny Watson said students travelled from the southern end of the diocese for the competition.

"The purpose of the competition is for the local competition gymnasts to represent their schools and show us the fruits of their training," she said.

"There's also a whole lot of students who have not done gymnastics before and can now practice in their schools with modified routines.

"It's back in Port Macquarie for the first time in 20 years because the timing is better now. It was in Coffs Harbour for a long time as it was an easier location to travel to.

"It's a chance for students to proudly represent their schools."

Gymnasts aged 13 to 17 years old were overseen by head coach Angie Dixon as they completed floor and apparatus routines in difficulty levels ranging from six to 10.

Girls were tasked with taking on women's artistic apparatus such as vault, bars, beam and floor. Boys challenged themselves with rings, T-bar and high bar.

Port Macquarie Gymnastics Club representative Caitlyn Lee said developing gymnasts should aim to progress through regional, state, national and finally into international competition.

"We do have a level 10 gymnast in Port Macquarie but our other girls are level six and seven," she said.

"Pretty much having a good handstand is the most important thing. Level five and six do need to have your cartwheels, back walkovers and handstands on beam.

"Having a good round off and back flip is good but having a handstand is the basic element for vault, bars and beam."