About

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• Roll of Honour
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Staff

DIRECTORS OF SPELTHORNE GYMNASTICS

• Bob Cooper
• Alison Cooper
• David Rigney
• Virginia Lara
• Mary Crocker

PRINCIPAL COACHES AND COORDINATORS

BOB AND ALISON COOPER

Bob & Alison 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.

GENERAL MANAGER AND WELFARE OFFICER

MELANIE GRAY

Melanie has 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. Melanie has been involved with the club for over 18 years supporting her son who was part of the Elite Acrobatic Squad.

FIG MANAGER AND HEAD COACH

ADAM MCASSEY

Adam has over 13 years’ coaching experience and has had numerous partnerships achieving World and European Championship medals. He is the current coach to the 2 times World and European Men’s Group champions and current Senior bronze medalist from the 2016 World Championships. He was also coach to the Junior European Champions for both Men’s Pair and Men’s Group in 2013. Adam has been lucky enough to be selected as a gymnast from 2003 and then as a coach from 2013 to attend every European and World Championships.

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 the current Head Tumbling coach for Great Britain, and is responsible for the selection and preparation of the Senior National Tumbling squad. Alongside Kath, Rob was the personal coach for World Age Group Champion Heather Cowell, as well as many other World Age group medallists and British Champions.

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 the current Assistant Junior Tumbling squad coach for Great Britain, and assists with the training camps and International competitions. Kath has been coaching for over 12 years and alongside Rob was the personal coach for World Age Group Champion Heather Cowell, as well as many other World Age group medallists and British Champions.

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

CHOREOGRAPHY AND DANCE MANAGER AND WELFARE OFFICER

ELLIE COOPER

Ellie is the Head Choreographer for the Club and 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 is currently studying for a Masters in Integrative Child Psychotherapy.

MARKETING MANAGER AND HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH

EMILY DAVIES

Emily is the Development Manager and a High Performance Coach, coaching 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 and 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 8 years in the Location department working on films such as 1917, Tenet, Mama Mia 2, Mary Poppins, Mission Impossible and Dune Part Two. Matt also enjoyed competing in Downhill Mountain Biking where his biggest success was winning the British round in Fort William, Scotland.

PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS MANAGER

KERI BURGESS

Keri 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 all the Intermediate and Pre-Advanced classes for those children with a little more talent, and generally runs the holiday camps.

ADDITIONAL NEEDS LEAD & WELFARE OFFICER

TOM BEAUCHAMP

Tom trained as a Gymnast and Trampolinist for over 10 years before starting coaching at the age of 16. He manages our Additional Needs programme and also coaches our Advanced classes.Tom has a Level 2 qualification in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Level 1 qualification in Trampolining and additional coaching qualifications earned in America. Tom is a qualified Primary School teacher, with a specialism in SEND, and is one of our welfare officers.

LEVEL 3 COACHES

HAYLEY COWLER

Hayley trained at Spelthorne Gymnastics for 13 years. She was an extremely able acrobatic gymnast representing the Club on many occasions before retiring from training in 2013. Hayley has been coaching at Spelthorne for over 7 years and works with many different group including Preschool, the Preparation Squad and some of the Acrobatic Grade Groups. She is a Level 3 Acrobatics coach and Level 1 Pre-School coach.

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.

LEVEL 2 COACHES

ANDREW MORRIS-HUNT

Andrew trained at Spelthorne for 13 years, representing Great Britain as both a mens pair & mens 4. He achieved British Champion as a mens pair and mens 4 and then European champion as a mens 4. In 2022 he became Senior World Champion and World Games Champion with his Senior mens 4. With over 8 years of coaching experience, he coaches the prep and squad groups.

 

OWEN SMITHER

Owen started volunteering with Spelthorne at age 15 whilst training in our Junior Advanced group. He coaches our Pre-School and Intermediate groups, and has a level 2 Women’s Artistic qualification, 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 Womens 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 national and international competitions. Alana is currently studying a BSc Sport and exercise science degree. She holds a level 2 Tumbling qualification, coaching our pre-school, mini squads and advanced classes

 

LEVEL 1 COACHES

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 competes as part of a trio in the elite squad and competes both nationally and internationally. Ruby has represented Great Britain at the World and European championships in 2021. Achieving a bronze medal at the European championships. In 2023 she became the all around European champion in Bulgaria and is still training for competitions to come.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. Ruby is also a valued member of our admin team.

LAURA PARFITT

Laura started training as a gymnast at two years old and has a background in women’s artistic and aerobic gymnastics. She competed at regional and national level, achieving the bronze medal at the British championships in 1999 and 2000. Laura began coaching as an assistant at the age of 14. She holds the level 1 woman’s artistic qualification.

JASMINE HARROW

Jasmine started gymnastics at Spelthorne when she was 6 years old and has been a coach here since 2016, but took a short break to complete her BSc degree. She holds a Level 1 General Gymnastics Qualification and coaches our Junior and Senior Advanced groups, where she particularly enjoys choreographing their group routines. Alongside coaching, Jasmine is a qualified Sports Therapist specialising in MSK and spinal injuries. Jasmine also has a first aid qualification

 

ASSISTANT COACHES

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 pair. He represented Great Britain at the World age group championships in 2022. Owen currently coaches the prep squad and intermediate groups.

MAHVESH SIDDIQUI

Mahvesh discovered gymnastics when her son started at Spelthorne 6 years ago and works with the general classes. She loves working with children and is a qualified early years practitioner. As well as coaching she works as a teaching assistant in a primary school and holds a first aid teaching qualification.

HARRY WATSON

Harry first stepped foot into Spelthorne gym at the age of 18 months. He trained hard and become part of a Men’s group as the top. He represented GBR at 2 European Championships and a World Championships winning medals each time.He is now enjoying using the skills he has learnt to teach the younger gymnasts beginning their journey. Harry is also a qualified acrobatics judge.

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.

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 4. Ralph coaches the general gymnastics groups.

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 2.

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

CHRIS TIERNEY

CAMERON PATRICK-LOTHIAN

JOSH LEE

 

SONIA WHITE

Sonia joined the team in 2023 and helps on the front desk with any questions/enquiries. Her son joined Spelthorne in 2019 and she spent spent several years driving back and forth, enjoying watching Christmas displays and attending various events before becoming a member of staff. As well as working at Spelthorne Gymnastics Sonia runs her own upholstery business. Outside of Spelthorne she enjoys open water swimming and cycling.

JULIA WISZENKO

MARY CROCKER

Mary has been involved with the club for over thirty years. Supporting her daughter as an elite Acrobatic gymnast and now her grandson in his acrobatic journey. She is one of the Directors and for the last five years she had been working as part of the Admin team on Reception.

 

The Cafe Team

JO JAGGERS- CAFE SUPERVISOR

MICHELLE NICKLESS

KAZ BIDDLE

LUCY FARRAJ

RITA HANCOCK

FLEUR FENTON

LIBBY BENTALL

GEMMA BIDDLE

LEXIE BIDDLE

 

 

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