Full-Time Senior Coaches
JOANNE
Kindergym Manager; Recreation and Development coach
Joanne was a national medal-winning gymnast in Ireland who went on to coach Olympic start squad and National Development children. She worked in Ireland as a Recreational Manager and Head Coach for many years. Highly respected and skilled in coaching and training, Joanne was also a panelist judge for Gymnastics Ireland for seven years. She has worked across all age groups and levels from Kindergym to adults, designing club programs and individual training programs as well as staff training at all levels.
FIONA
Recreation, Kindergym & Development coach; Birthday Party Manager
Originally from the UK, Fiona has coached a wide range of ages and abilities from Kindergym to adults. She was the head of the boys competition squad at her previous gym taking them to both regional and national level competitions. She took a break from coaching to travel and explore new opportunities before deciding to get back into coaching. She likes to use her knowledge of other sports and movement to find fun and adaptable exercises she can incorporate into her coaching sessions.
RHONA
Kindergym and Recreation coach
Rhona was an Acrobatic gymnast from a young age and has years of experience coaching a wide variety of Gymnastics disciplines and age groups. She holds qualifications including WAG, Pre-School, Acrobatic, Free-Style, Trampoline & General Gymnastics plus an honour’s degree in Sport & Business Management. Originally from Scotland but loves to travel and has spent the past few years coaching in both Australia & New Zealand. She likes to focus her sessions on skill development plus ensuring a fun environment.
LAUREN
Sport Development Officer; Kindergym, Recreation and Adults coach
Originally from the UK, Lauren has a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Coaching and was a former Competitive Artistic/Tumbling Gymnast for 8 years with Scottish Gymnastics. She has coached both Competitive and Recreational Gymnastics from Preschool to Adult. Lauren uses her knowledge of sport to motivate her groups and help gymnasts achieve and develop their full potential, while providing a fun learning environment.
Casual Coaches
MONIQUE
Recreation coach
Monique has been a gymnast at East Gymnastics for 8 years and started coaching with us in 2023. Monique is a gymnastics advocate with a keen interest in health and fitness. It’s become her mission to help others on their gymnastics journey and to ensure the students feel heard and understood. In between coaching she is a busy high school student.
MADDIE
Recreation coach
Maddie has been been part of the East Gymnastics coaching team since 2024 and brings over 10 years of competitive gymnastics training experience to her role. Currently in high school, she mainly coaches children aged 5-10 years, helping them develop confidence, skills, and a love for the sport. Maddie loves seeing kids progress not only physically, but also socially and mentally through gymnastics. She is passionate about the positive and supportive environment at East and strives to share that with every gymnast she teaches.
MARIANNE
Recreation & KinderGym coach
Marianne previously trained and coached under the former Olympic coach. She has coached all ages from Kindergym to adults, and taught both competitive and recreational gymnastics. She has also been a yoga teacher for many years with a keen interest in contortion. Marianne also taught dance & she loves to choreograph.
PALOMA
Recreation & KinderGym coach
Paloma is a highly experienced coach from Spain with over 10 years of expertise in gymnastics, contemporary dance, and physical activity. She has coached both recreational and competitive gymnasts, leading athletes to national championships and top regional positions. Additionally, she served as a university professor for nearly six years, teaching Gymnastic Skills and Body Expression to future coaches in dual degree programs in Sports Sciences and Education. She holds a degree in Sports Science and has completed a Gymnastics Judge course, which has expanded her technical and practical knowledge of the sport. Her teaching philosophy combines discipline with care, fostering an environment where students feel supported and motivated to develop..
SOPHIE
Recreation & Parties coach
Sophie has been doing gymnastics since she was 2 years old. She trained at East Gymnastics in 2016 before going onto compete at both state and national levels, up to Level 7. Since completing our mentee program, Sophie has started coaching a variety of levels and ages with us between 4 and 12 years old. Sophie will be a familiar face to any of you who have attended our Open Play sessions on a Sunday!.
MAELANI
Recreation coach
Maelani has over 10 years of experience as a competitive gymnast, representing Myanmar at the 2003 and 2005 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. With more than 14 years of experience as a gymnastics coach and physical education instructor, she brings extensive knowledge and a deep passion for the sport to our club. From 2014 to 2020, Maelani founded and managed her own gymnastics facility, where she developed and delivered a training program, progressing young athletes to compete at an international level through the Myanmar Gymnastics Federation.
IZZIE
Recreation coach
Originally from the UK, Izzie has over 16 years of experience in gymnastics. She has worked with a wide range of ages and abilities, from KinderGym and recreational classes to competitive gymnasts. She always brings positive energy and enthusiasm to every session by aiming to boost confidence in a fun, positive, and supportive envrionment. Alongside coaching Izzie also has experience managing gymnastics programs, workshops, competitions and private coaching sessions.
NATALIE
Recreation coach
Natalie has been involved in gymnastics for 11 years. She loves sharing her passion for gymnastics through coaching, helping others experience the same joy and excitement she feels when training. She is currently in high school and hopes to continue using her gymnastics skills in the future.
ALEX
Recreation coach
Alex started his gymnastics journey 4 years ago as a gymnast at East Gymnastics. He completed our mentee program last year and has now been coaching with us since. Alex was inspired to become a coach after the way he connected with own coaches at the beginning of his gymnastics journey and loves that he can provide that same experience to other people. He works with us part-time alongside his school schedule, working predominantly with our gymnasts aged 5-8 years old.
KATIA
Recreation coach
Katia has been a gymnast since she was 5 years old and still competes in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. She has a passion for positive nutrition, wellness, health, and fitness. Katia started her gymnastics journey at The Y Epping and completed the mentee program with them before coming and coaching with us sharing her passion for gymnastics with our gymnasts. She completed her Gymnastics Australia Foundations Course in April of this year.
ISABELLA
Customer Service
Isabella is one of the newest members of our East Gymnastics team, you’ll see her in the office on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. She attended our gym when she was younger so understands the value of kids participating in sport from a young age. She has worked with children for many years, babysitting in the community as well as being a Girl Guides Leader. Isabella is currently studying Law and Social and Political Sciences at university.
The Y East Gymnastics has a fabulous team of coaches who are all passionate about gymnastics, coaching, and creating a fun, safe environment for everyone. Between us we have vast experience in gymnastics (of course), dance, acrobatics, ballet, circus, movement development, aerials and trampolining.
All coaches have passed their NSW Working with Children Check, First Aid, CPR and do regular safeguarding training.
