Staff
DIRECTORS OF SPELTHORNE GYMNASTICS
- Bob Cooper
- Alison Cooper
- David Rigney
- Virginia Lara
- Mary Crocker
PRINCIPALS
BOB AND ALISON COOPER
Bob & Alison are the founders (in 1986) and Principals of the Club. They each have over 40 years’ coaching experience and are well known and respected throughout the world of Acrobatics Gymnastics. They have worked for British Gymnastics as National Tumbling and Acrobatic Coaches taking teams to World and European Championships and have produced many Senior & Junior World Champions for Spelthorne Gymnastics and Great Britain.
They hold 5 National titles each (Bob in Mixed Pairs and Alison in Women’s Pairs) and as former gymnasts have won medals at World and European Championships. Both Bob & Alison are British Gymnastics International Performance Coaches and are holders of the British Gymnastics Master of Sport and British Gymnastics Master Coach Awards.
VICE PRINCIPAL AND HEAD OF CHOREOGRAPHY
ELLIE CARNE
Ellie is the Vice Principal and Head Choreographer for the Club. She has choreographed many World and European winning routines including the World Games Champions.She is a former International performer in women’s groups and women’s pairs. She placed 2nd in the World Junior Acrobatics Championships in 2004 and 2006 and was British Junior Champion and British Schools Champion. Ellie trained in dance at Laines Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey and spent one year at the Orange County High School of the Arts in Los Angeles, California studying commercial dance. She was also a member of the Cheerleading and Dance Team at Capistrano Valley High School, Orange County, California and a member of ‘Orange Crush’ cheerleading team where she competed at the California State Championships at Universal Studios. She is a Level 3 Coach in Acrobatics and is also qualified to judge at regional level. Ellie has a degree in Humanistic Counselling and a masters in Integrative Child Psychotherapy.
VICE PRINCIPAL AND FACILITIES MANAGER
SAM CARNE
Sam is a Vice Principal and Facilities Manager. He is a former British and European
Wakeboard Champion and GB Team Captain who has travelled the globe competing in World Cup Wakeboarding events.He is also an experienced sports Coach and lived in Florida for 10 years running training camps for promising athletes. He has a passion for sport and in more recent years has been coaching wakeboarding in the Spelthorne area. He is also a keen carpenter and brings both passions to Spelthorne fulfilling the roles of both Facilities Manager and Vice Principal.
GENERAL MANAGER AND WELFARE OFFICER
MELANIE GRAY
Melanie is the General Manager and Welfare Manager. She has also been the welfare officer for the past 13 years and has qualifications in both safeguarding and child protection. She is a qualified primary school teacher and currently works full time at Spelthorne Gymnastics as the General Manger and Welfare Manager. Melanie has been involved with the club for over 18 years supporting her son who was part of the Elite Acrobatic Squad.
COACHING DIRECTOR
ADAM MCASSEY
Adam is the Coaching Director for the Club. He is an experienced and highly accomplished coach in the field of Acrobatic Gymnastics, with a career spanning over two decades. He has coached multiple partnerships to success on the international stage, including World and European Championship medal-winning performances at both junior and senior levels.
A former elite gymnast himself, Adam represented Great Britain at numerous international competitions. His athletic career highlights include becoming a Junior World Champion, Senior World Champion, and multiple-time British Champion. He was also a member of the world-renowned performance group Spelbound, winners of Britain’s Got Talent in 2010.
Since transitioning into coaching, Adam has continued to contribute to the sport at the highest level, with consistent involvement in World and European Championships. His passion for the sport, combined with his technical expertise and international experience, have made him a respected figure within the gymnastics community as both a coach and a judge.
As a former international gymnast in Men’s Groups and Men’s Pairs he became Junior World Champion in 2006, and was a World Senior bronze medalist in 2008 before becoming Senior World Champion in 2010. He also placed 2nd in the Senior World Championships in 2012 as a Men’s Pair. Adam is 3 times Junior British Champion and 5 times Senior British Champion and was also one of the original members of Spelbound.
TUMBLING MANAGER AND HEAD COACH
ROB SMALL
Rob is a Tumbling Manager and Head Coach. He is a former National Coach for GB Tumbling.Alongside Kath he has produced World Age Group & Junior European Individual Champions, Senior World and European medallists along with multiple Junior British Champions a Senior British Champion and medallists of all colours at English and NDP finals. Rob initially trained as an Acro top before transferring to Tumbling at age 15. He went on to become Senior European Champion, World Bronze Medallist and was a member of the Gold medal-winning Senior Tumbling squad, as well as being 5-time Senior British Champion.
TUMBLING MANAGER AND HEAD COACH
KATH SMALL
Kath is a Tumbling Manager and is a current GB National Tumbling Coach. Alongside Rob she has produced World Age Group & Junior European Individual Champions, Senior World and European medalists along with multiple Junior British Champions a Senior British Champion and medalists of all colours at English and NDP finals. Kath was originally a member of the National Artistic Squad before moving over to Tumbling at the age of 14. She went on to become Senior European Champion, Individual World Champion and World Team Champion, as well as being a 7-time Senior British Champion.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
LEIGHANNE LAMBERT
Leighanne is the Operations Manager and also the Head Coach for NDP level gymnastics.She was a member of the group ‘Spelbound’ that won Britain Got Talent in 2010 and has been training as a gymnast since she was 2 years old! She was the 2009 Junior British Champion in Women’s Groups and was part of the Acrobatic Team representing Great Britain at the European Championships in October 2009 and the World Championships in July 2010. Leighanne began coaching as an assistant at the very young age of 12 and has gained experience working at many different Clubs. She is a Level 3 Coach in Acrobatics.She is also a Level 2 Coach in Pre-School Gymnastics and Cheerleading, and she has a First Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.
MARKETING MANAGER AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE COACH
EMILY DAVIES
Emily is the Marketing Manager and a High-Performance Coach.She coaches our Acrobatic Squad Groups. Emily also runs our social media accounts and the marketing for the club. Emily began training at Spelthorne in 1989 and trained here through to 2001. During this time she competed Women’s pair, Mixed pairs and Trios, winning a total of 13 World and European medals, including two occasions where she was World Champion. Emily has a huge passion for the club and its success and hopes to help the young gymnasts of Spelthorne gain the same amazing experiences that acrobatics gave her, and hopefully some of the same achievements too.
BUSINESS MANAGER
MATT COOPER
Matt is the Business and Facilities Manager for Spelthorne Gymnastics. He studied at Halliford Boys School in Shepperton as well as two years in California. He is a Level 2 Tumbling coach and has been part of Spelthorne Gymnastics for a long time coaching both acrobatics and tumbling whilst following his career in films. Matt works in the film industry and has done so for the past 10 years in the Locations department. He has worked on location on films such as 1917, Tenet, Mama Mia 2, Mary Poppins, Mission Impossible and Dune Parts Two and Three. Matt also enjoyed competing in Downhill Mountain Biking where his biggest success was winning at he British round in Fort William, Scotland.
PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS MANAGER
KERI BURGESS
Keri is our Pre-School Gymnastics Manager. She trained as an artistic gymnast for 10 years before she got married and had 5 children. She is a Level 3 Pre-School Coach, a Level 2 General Coach and a Level 1 Artistic Coach. Keri has tremendous patience and enjoys working with children of all ages especially teaching the Pre-School Classes.She also is in charge of our Mini Squad and Pre-Advanced classes for those children with a little more talent.
ADDITIONAL NEEDS LEAD & WELFARE OFFICER
TOM BEAUCHAMP
Tom is our Additional Needs Lead and a Welfare Officer. He trained as a Gymnast and Trampolinist for over 10 years before beginning his coaching journey at the age of 15. He manages our Additional Needs programme and also coaches the Boys Intermediate and Senior Advanced classes. Tom is a qualified primary school teacher and a specialist in SEND. He holds a Level 2 qualification in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, a Level 1 in Trampolining, and has earned further coaching qualifications in the USA. Tom also serves as one of our Welfare Officers at Spelthorne Gymnastics
LEVEL 3 COACHES
JAMES BEAUCHAMP
James is a level 3 Tumbling coach who has been with Spelthorne since 2013. James teaches our General and Senior Advanced groups, and also has experience coaching pre-school, adults and children with special needs. He has qualifications in first aid and child protection, and is one of the club’s Welfare Officers.
ANDREW MORRIS-HUNT
Andrew is one of our dedicated squad coaches with a Level 3 qualification. He trained as a gymnast at Spelthorne for 13 years, representing Great Britain on many occasions. In Men’s Pairs and Men’s Fours he has an impressive array of titles as British Champion, European Champion, Senior World Champion and World Games Champion. Over the past 9+ years, he has coached across every level at the club; from preschool and general gymnastics to intermediate and squad groups. He is also a qualified personal trainer. Andrew brings both experience and dedication to his coaching. He’s now focused on developing the next generation of elite athletes, working to create future European and World Champions. Andrew believes in building strong, confident gymnasts through discipline, consistency, and enjoyment..
LEVEL 2 COACHES
OWEN LEEDHAM
Owen trained at Spelthorne for many years in our Advanced group. He began his coaching journey at the age of 13 first of volunteering with our general groups. He currently coaches our Pre-School, Additional needs and Intermediate groups, and holds a level 2 qualification in both Women’s Artistic and Pre-School gymnastics, level 1 in General & Acrobatic gymnastics, and is qualified to judge Acrobatics at club level .
BECCY WEST
Beccy discovered gymnastics in 2014 when her daughters joined an artistic club, before moving to Spelthorne in 2015. She is a Level 1 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics coach and works with both our General and Pre-School classes throughout the week.
ALANA DUGUID
Alana trained at Spelthorne from the age of 4 to 16, representing the club at both national and international competitions. She went on to achieve a First-Class Honours degree in BSc Sport and Exercise Science from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and is currently studying for an MSc in Sports Rehabilitation.
LAURA PARFITT
Laura’s relationship with gymnastics began at just two years old, beginning a journey that would shape much of her life. With a background in both women’s artistic and aerobic gymnastics, competing at both regional and national level, Laura earned recognition achieving bronze medals at the British Championships in 1999 and 2000.
Laura began coaching as an assistant at the age of 14, discovering early on a passion for helping young gymnasts develop their confidence and skills.
After taking a break from her career to raise her family, Laura has now returned to the sport with the same enthusiasm and determination that defined her competitive years. She is currently working towards her Level 3 qualification, continuing to expand her knowledge and expertise while inspiring the next generation of gymnasts.
LEVEL 1 COACHES
ELLA GIBBONS
Ella started gymnastics at 5 years old before transitioning into a coach at the age of 15. She has experience coaching across multiple disciplines including sprinting and strength & conditioning, but specialises in gymnastics. Ella is a Level 1 qualified Women’s Artistic coach, and alongside coaching, has achieved a Sports science degree from the University of Bath. She currently coaches Spelthorne’s general and advanced groups and is passionate about helping gymnasts develop their skills and confidence.
RUBY BRAY
Ruby started gymnastics at 7 years old at Spelthorne gymnastics. She began training in acrobatics and tumbling but has since specialised to compete in just acrobatic gymnastics. Ruby competed as part of a trio in the elite squad both nationally and internationally. Ruby has represented Great Britain at the World and European championships in 2021. She won a bronze medal at the European championships. In 2023 she became the all-around European champion in Bulgaria.Ruby coaches our additional needs class and our mini squads. Ruby is also a very competent choreographer, creating routines and taking our NDP level acrobats for dance lessons.
OWEN NICKLESS
Owen started artistic gymnastics at the age of 4 and moved to Spelthorne at the age of 12, Owen is a current member of the senior elite squad and competes as a mens four. He represented Great Britain at the World age group championships in 2022. Owen currently coaches the prep squad and intermediate groups.
RALPH WHITE
Ralph joined Spelthorne at the age of 12 and is now part of the elite squad. He competes nationally and internationally with a mens four. Ralph coaches the general gymnastics groups.
JOSH LEE
HARRY NORMAN
ASSISTANT COACHES
CHLOE O’TOOLE
Chloe volunteered with Spelthorne at 18. She has trained as a gymnast from the age of 4 through to 18 but joined Spelthorne in 2016. Chloe coaches Pre-school, General and intermediate classes.
HANNAH WEST
Hannah started out as an artistic gymnast at the age of 7 before moving to Spelthorne at the age of 9 to compete in acrobatics. She has competed at regional and national levels and now coaches the general and intermediate groups
ABI NICKLESS
Abi started gymnastics at the age of 3 doing artistic gymnastics at her local club she moved to Spelthorne at the age of 8 as a top and became a base aged 9 she has competed at regional and national level and is a member of squad 1.
HARLEY RICHARDSON
Harley started gymnastics at the age of 7 at Spelthorne gymnastics club. Since then she has competed nationally and is still part of the squad at Spelthorne gymnastics. Harley coaches mainly the General gymnastics groups.
CARMEN WEST
IMOGEN MADDOCKS
The Reception Team
TARA MILLER
Tara has been part of the Spelthorne Gymnastics family for over 15 years, beginning her journey when her daughter trained as a gymnast. She first helped out in the café at our original gym before becoming part of the Reception Team at our lovely new facility. A keen spectator, Tara loves watching the gymnasts progress and is proud to celebrate their achievements, big and small
The Cafe Team
JO JAGGERS- CAFE SUPERVISOR
MICHELLE NICKLESS
KAZ BIDDLE
LUCY FARRAJ
RITA HANCOCK
BRIELLE LUMBI
CONNIE BIRD
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