DGC Staff
Club Manager - Karen
Karen's involvement in the club started when as a parent of gymnasts, she joined the DGC committee as a general member, and then as Treasurer, prior to then being employed as our Club Manager. Karen managed a successful family business for many years and also provided book keeping and administrative services to local small businesses.
Karen wears many hats, responsible for admin, event, staff and day to day requirements of managing DGC, and is the link between the Committee and Staff, and between DGC and external agencies.
Karen is also a very well deserving 'Life Member' of Darwin Gymnastic Club!
WAG and MAG Program Manager & Senior Coach - Rhys
Rhys has been a part of DGC for 20 years as a MAG & Tumble gymnast and as a Coach for 13 of those years. Rhys is supervisor and mentor to DGC's developing coaches. In 2018, Rhys was nominated and named Darwin’s Young Citizen of the Year for his involvement in the gymnastic community. Rhys has been a passionate volunteer in both club roles, as a judge, and as the Technical Director for MAG and Tumble in the past. Rhys is also a 'Life Member' of Darwin Gymnastic Club!
Rhys has the following gymnastic accreditations:
- FIG2 Advanced Silver MAG & WAG Coaching, Advanced Power Tumbling & GfA Coaching, Intermediate Acrobatics Coaching
- WAG Advanced, MAG Intermediate Bronze & Tumble Intermediate Trampoline Beginner Judging
Rhys also has a Bachelor in Exercise and Sports Science.
Throughout the week you will see Rhys coaching:
- MAG Squad Black
- WAG Squad White
- Team coaching WAG Rose
- WAG Navy & Aqua Squad
- Saturday Tumblers Recreation
GfA Program Manager & Senior Coach - Sharon
Coach Sharon is a leader in the field of recreational gymnastics, promoting Gymnastics across many school programs, and providing gymnastic opportunities across all age groups. Sharon herself trained and competed as a Rhythmic gymnast Nationally in New Zealand, and later in Katherine.
Sharon has the following accreditations:
- Advanced Rhythmic & GfA
- Intermediate WAG, MAG and Kindergym accreditations
- Module 1: Spring and Landing Certificate
Sharon is also supervisor and mentor to DGC's developing coaches.
At DGC, Sharon coaches:
- Rhythmic Rec.
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday morning Kindergym
- Tumblers + Mini Gym + Girls Only
- Wednesday Team Gym
Sharon is also a 'Life Member' of Darwin Gymnastic Club!
Acrobatics & Tumble Program Manager & Senior Coach - Rachael
Coach Rachael has represented DGC as both an athlete and a coach in Sports ACRO at National Clubs,NT Champs & DGC Invitationals as well as competing in WAG in Singapore's Prime Invitational at Level 6 and at local events and National Clubs at Level 7. Rachael currently attends the DGC Adult Tumbling class. Rachael is also a 'Life Member' of Darwin Gymnastic Club!
Rachael holds the following Accreditations:
- Advanced Acro, GfA and Free G Coach
- Intermediate WAG, Tumble and MAG Coach
Rachael is currently busy also studying Nutrition & Sport Science through UniSA.
Throughout the week you will see her coaching:
- Performance Acro
- WAG Violet
- WAG Rose
- Power Tumbling
- GfA Spring
-Handstand & Mobility Pro
-Girls Only + Tumblers
Strength Program Manager and Senior Coach - William
Coach William is an accredited Intermediate GfA, Kindergym, MAG & WAG Coach.
William is an accredited Personal Trainer, and has a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science!
You can see William coaching:
- MAG Yellow
- MAG Green
- Thursday Kindergym
- Weekday & SaturdayTumblers
- Strength sessions
Senior Coach Kelly
Kelly started gymnastics at Bunbury PCYC when she was 1.5 years old. She then moved to Perth and joined Subiaco PCYC where her coach suggested she trial for the gymnastics program at the Western Australian Institute of Sport.
In 1995 Kelly attended a testing day and was chosen to complete a 3 month trial after which she was offered a position in the gymnastics program at WAIS. Whilst there Kelly trained under coaches, Vladimir Joura, Martine George, Nikolai Lapchine, and Jo Richards. She trained at a Junior International level and competed in many state and national competitions.
In 2002 Kelly was offered a WAIS scholarship and a position in the Australian Junior National Squad. She competed and medalled at two international competitions in USA, the WOGA Classic and Parkette’s International. Whilst there Kelly had the opportunity to compete against future Olympians, including Nastia Liukin and Carly Patterson. Kelly retired from WAIS in 2003 due to injuries.
Kelly has been coaching gymnastics for 10 years and got her WAG Advanced accreditation in 2013.
Throughout the week you will see Kelly Team coaching WAG Rose & Blue with Skye.
You may have also seen Kelly train in our Tumble Program and Adult classes.
Coach Skye
Growing up training and competing gymnastics in Darwin, we were very excited to have Skye join our club and become involved in our fantastic sport again! Skye has her GfA Intermediate Coaching Accreditation, and has a great supportive and passionate approach to her coaching delivery!
You will see Coach Skye on Monday and Thursday with our WAG Orange Squad gymnasts!
Coach Nikki
You will see Coach Nikki on Monday with our recreational gymnasts!
Nikki has her GfA Intermediate Coaching Accreditation
Coach Isabella
Isabella has her Intermediate coaching accreditation and you will see Isabella on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays coaching tumblers.
Isabella is also often in the gym training as a WAG gymnast.
Isabella is also a Beginner wAG Judge
Senior Coach - Siobhan
Siobhan has coached for DGC for over 7 years and after a short break, returned in 2019 to take our Adult, Tumble Adults and Free G classes!
Siobhan has the following accreditation levels:
- Advanced Silver WAG, Advanced Tumble, GFA and Free G Coach, Intermediate Acro and MAG Coach
- Siobhan is also an Advanced WAG and Intermediate Tumble judge!
Siobhan started life in the gym at a parent and toddler group with her mother in the early 1980s at the Salto Gymnastics Centre - Ireland and before long she was selected for a WAG Development Squad. With the expertise of Tony Byrne (International Performance Coach), International Coaches such as Eugenia Popa (International Performance Coach and alternate to the 1992 silver winning Romanian Olympic Team), hard work and dedication Siobhan became a valuable member of the WAG Junior Elite Squad.
Although injury prevented Siobhan from realising her dream of competing at the Commonwealth Games, her participation in the sport continued when she became a coach at age 14. Over the past 20 years she has coached everything from kindy gym, to elite, to people with disabilities. Her other achievements include assisting in the development of a new talent ID program, club secretary, club child protection officer and national judge. Siobhan has also been involved in the organising and running of training camps, national and international competitions, such as the Celtic Cup and Northern European Championships.
