CrossFit Dubbo hosted an open teams competition on Saturday with 18 teams from across the Central West singing up to take part.

A total of 72 competitors and plenty of spectators were on hand for the event, which was all about fun and being a community, CrossFit member and event organiser Kate Wright said.

“We’ve had a massive turnout and we’re really impressed by the support we have had from around the region,” she said.

“We have teams from other gyms, other sports across Dubbo as well as teams from Mudgee, Orange and Bathurst. We actually have athletes here who competed at a regional level at Wollongong.”

As well as Saturday’s competition, there have been raffles with great prizes to help Mr Stephens pay for his trip to Madison, Wisconsin for the CrossFit Games.

“We’re really happy with how the fundraising has gone. Duncan is such a real level-headed, salt of the earth bloke,” Ms Wright.

“He was a farmer only five years ago but he’s opened the box [CrossFit Dubbo] and given it his all and that’s just what he does.

“He’s made it to an international athletics standard and yet you would never know to look at him and he’d never tell you that.”

“It’s not easy or cheap to get the to the Games so it’s nice that our community has come together and showed our encouragement and support. “

Mr Stephens said it was nice to see teams coming out and taking part in the competition, but not taking it too seriously.

“We’ve got a variety of exercises , there’s a lot of gymnastics type movements, toes to bars, ring dips, kettle bell swings and a squat clean ladder that everyone seems to be having a bit of fun with. It’s a bit of a mixture,” he said. 

“There’s always some friendly rivalry but it’s all about fun, no one brought a stacked side. Everyone has some beginners in their teams and had the right attitude.”

Ms Wright said tickets were still available for one of the fundraising raffles, with the prize an air conditioner that could be installed anywhere in the Central West.

“We’ve had prizes donated from local businesses. We’ve had a couple of raffles that were drawn today and we still have one more which is a Daikin air conditioner,” Ms Wright said.

“That will be drawn on July 21 and tickets are $10 each or three for $20. They are available at Crossfit Dubbo, Dubbo Health Food and Mass Nutrition. You can also purchase a supporter shirt from Crossfit Dubbo.”

“If anyone has ever thought about giving crossfit a go, don’t hesitate. I think this is a great show of the spirit within the community.”