Gladstone Gymnastics Club goes to great lengths to recruit the right people in each position to ensure we continue to offer a high standard of gymnastics to our community.
All of our Coaches are fully accredited and are State and National qualified and accredited in the disciplines they teach (or are working towards gaining accreditation). Coaches who are in training are under the supervision of a qualified coach. Some of our coaches also hold.
All of our Coaches are fully accredited and are State and National qualified and accredited in the disciplines they teach (or are working towards gaining accreditation). Coaches who are in training are under the supervision of a qualified coach. Some of our coaches also hold tertiary qualifications in either teaching or human movement specialisations. Accreditation procedures also require that coaches hold a current Senior First Aid certificate or equivalent and Positive Notice Blue Card (Working with Children Card).
It is a requirement of employment with Gladstone Gymnastics that coaches participate in regular in-house training sessions as well as attend workshops and courses throughout the year. Many of our younger coaches possess high levels of up to date technical expertise in gymnastics as a result of many recent years of intensive training as competitors.
KYM DOWDELL
Technical/EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (t.e.d) MANAGER
The T.E.D Manager role works closely with the Business Manager and Head Coaches/Coordinators to facilitate and deliver professional development and education for all our coaching staff to ensure high quality programs are offered to all our members. Kym has a long history in the world of gymnastics, from coaching high performance gymnasts and judging competitions at state, national and international level, to coordinating the Australian Gymnastics Team at the Sydney Olympics as Competition Manager. Kym was the CEO of Gymnastics Queensland for 8 years, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our staff and members.
SHANA LEIGH
ADMINISTRATION
Our Club Administration is responsible for ensuring smooth and efficient daily operations, involving administrative, reception, accounts and payroll tasks. Shana was a competitive gymnast in WAG and Acrobatics from age 7-18 years and represented our Club at State and National Championships several times. She has recently returned to gymnastics as a member of our Masters team. Shana is passionate about gymnastics and all the wonderful benefits it has for people of all ages and is proud to once again be a part of our great Club.
Lucia caron
ADMINISTRATION & Events
PETER DOWDELL
WAG coorDinator
The WAG Head Coach is responsible for the leadership, development and coordination of the Club’s Women’s Artistic Gymnastics classes and programs. This role oversees the WAG Coaching Staff and acts as a mentor to educate, grow and continually improve the quality of our coaching and programming to promote improved performance and preparation of our WAG athletes both in recreational and competitive divisions for regional, state and national success. Peter has helped many gymnasts achieve state, national, World and even Olympic accomplishments and is a highly sought-after coach throughout Australia. Peter’s vast experience at all levels of gymnastics is an asset to the Club.
RODRIGO CARON
MAG coordinator
Rodrigo is an ex-gymnast who graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy. He has over 18 years experience in coaching Men’s and Women’s gymnastics, working with children of young ages through to senior competitive athletes. Rodrigo is also a FIG International judge of Men’s Gymnastics and was a part of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Anna
Mrs T – Gentle Gym Coordinator / Masters Coach / Floor Manager
Anna has been involved with the Club right from the beginning. She built the Club from 12 gymnasts in 1977 and helped in every aspect in different capacities until today. She is an Advanced silver coach in WAG, Advanced coach in MAG and Advanced coach in Kindergym. Previously also Advanced WAG judge and Intermediate MAG Judge. After Judging at National level for over 33 years, as well as presenting various coaching and Judging courses throughout QLD she decided to slow down and concentrate on different aspects of the sport like coaching the more mature participants as are the “Fitter for Life (our Gentle Gym) classes, preparing mature athletes for Masters Games and competitions, mentoring young budding coaches and overseeing the whole running of the classes as a Floor manager. Just a bit slowing down after 41 years involvement for the Club.
Silke Hetherington
WAG performance Coach
Silke Hetherington has been involved in the Gladstone Gymnastics Club since its humble beginnings. She was a WAG and Rhythmic gymnast. She represented QLD on two occasions for Rhythmic Gymnastics and medalled in both Adelaide and Perth. Silke has been coaching with the club since she was 14 years of age and has also coached in Rockhampton and briefly overseas. She is an accredited WAG Advanced Silver Coach and Advanced Judge. She has served as club President on the GGC committee from 2010 to 2017 and Vice President in 2018. She is passionate about the Gladstone Gymnastics Club and regional gymnastics in QLD. She is a life member of the Gladstone Gymnastics Club.
CHLOE MARTIN
WAG Coach & Judge
Chloe has been part of Gladstone Gymnastics since she was 2 years old doing Kinder Gym. She became our WAG Level 10 gymnast in 2018 and represented Queensland as ACRO Gymnast in Level 6 and also in the 11-16 International category. Chloe began coaching at 14 years old and is now an Advanced WAG coach and judge. You can now see her coaching our WAG Teams, Kindergym classes and Steps classes.
ROSIE PARNELL
WAG Coach & Judge
Rosie has recently moved to Gladstone to join our club. She has 18 years of experience in gymnastics, beginning as a gymnast herself growing up in Melbourne. When old enough, she was invited to begin training towards becoming a coach and has never looked back. She is now an Advanced WAG coach and Intermediate judge, with 12 years of competitive and recreational coaching experience, with 6 of those years at a top club in Canberra. You will find her in the gym coaching our WAG Teams, Kindergym classes, Fitter For Life classes, School Programs, and Recreational Tumbling classes.
Lara Neilsen
Rhythmic Coordinator
Lara Neilsen is our Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach who is a Life Member of the Gladstone Gymnastics Club having been involved in our club as a gymnast, coach, judge and parent of gymnasts since 1982. Lara is returning to coaching after having completed her Teaching degree and having a family and her enthusiasm and passion for rhythmic is evident. Lara is involved in coaching all levels of the Rhythmic discipline and is keen to continue to grow our discipline through encouraging member growth and coach and judge development.
Kristen Cox
KINDERGYM coordinator
Kristen has the passion for gymnastics in the GFA (Gym for All) space, teaching the importance of gymnastics to children of all ages. Kristen specialises in the Kindergym (under 5) discipline where you will always see her big smile and joyful personality interacting with the children to develop physical and cognitive skills through play. Kristen loves seeing the children developing and achieving their goals. Kristen also coaches the girls step 3 groups and our tumbling classes.
Letitia Delioglanis
Acro Coach & Judge
Letitia coaches in our Acro discipline after being a successful Acro gymnast herself. Letitia is an Advanced Acro Coach and Judge and enjoys the challenge of coaching new skills to our team and then providing specialised judging feedback when they are refining their routines. Letitia has been coaching the Acro team for many years now and has great satisfaction in seeing many of our gymnast progress through the levels from beginner all the way up to the advanced and international streams.
