But that’s exactly what happened to the Thornton Thunders when they competed in the Federation of International Sport Aerobics and Fitness Australia national championships earlier this month.

The team of eight year 5 and 6 girls struck stiff competition from other teams in Queensland, Victoria and elsewhere in NSW, and emerged victorious despite their lack of experience in the sport.

PE teacher and coach Nicole Lubans, who used to compete in aerobics, said the team’s work ethic and ability to cooperate helped them perfect their routine.

All of the 11 teams in the final had to choreograph a routine to the same song. 

“We got a base structure and then we had to change it to suit us – we did all of our own formations and arm lines to turn it into our own individual routine,” she said. 

“The judges look at technique and aerobic quality and creativity and variety in the choreography and formations.

“We’re all very excited, a little bit shocked, all of the hard work has paid off.”

Lubans said the team, which came together at the start of the school year, had been working diligently to perfect their routine. 

“We chose a team at the beginning of the year and they’ve been practicing three lunch times a week in Term 1 and 2 and during the start of Term 3 up until this competition,” Lubans said. 

“Some of the other schools have been doing this kind of competition for a long time. 

“It’s great for them to find another avenue they can participate in.”