THE TEAM

GymSports FNQ Staff:                                                              

Club Manager & Recreational Co-ordinator – Karen Magee
Head Coach – Ben Villalobos
Event’s Manager – Alysha Magee
Accounts Manager and Reception – Nicki Newman

Coaching Team:

Karen Magee  following on from studies in Nutrition, Karen started as the Recreational Co-ordinator with Southside Gymnastics and went onto become the Manager of GymSports FNQ in 2012.  The growth and development of GymSports FNQ @ South Cairns Gymnastics is largely due to her passion and tireless dedication for supporting children and mentoring coaches in their chosen sport.  Karen is the senior programmer for the recreational classes and managers the entire GymSports FNQ staff. She has over 10 years’ experience in coaching Kindergym, LaunchPad programs, Recreational programs, Schools gymnastics, Holiday programs and Foundations Competitive programs.  She currently holds the following accreditations:

  • WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Kindergym Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  •  GFA Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • BabyGym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Fitter for Life (Gymnastics Australia)
  • LaunchPad Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Trainee Coach Supervisor (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Certificate III in Nutrition (Beck Health & Nutrition)

 

Alysha Magee – retired as a Level 7 gymnast in 2021. Alysha has grown up in the gym and has had 5 years experience as a Competitive Gymnast and 2 years as a Competitive Cheerleader. Alysha has been coaching since she was 14 years old and completed a School-Based Traineeship with GymSports FNQ to gain her Cert III in Sport and Recreation in 2019-2020. Alysha has experience coaching a variety of programs including Kindergym, JuniorGym and WAG Level 1-5. Alysha manages all of club events including Recreational Assessment Days, Competitions and Tumble in the Tropics.

  • WAG Advanced Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
  • MAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Kindergym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • BabyGym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Cert III in Sport and Recreation

 

Amy Dowley – trained as a gymnast up to Level 4. Amy has been assistant coaching under Miss Karen since she was 14 years old and has experience coaching a wide variety of our Recreational Programs including our Under 5 Programs (Baby, Gym, MiniGym, Kindergym and JuniorGym) as well as GymFun and GymSkills. Amy also has experience coaching our Foundations Competitive Programs in both WAG & MAG. Amy is also our Recreational supervisor where her role is to supervise the classes as well as train and supervise our coaching team.

  • WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • MAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Kindergym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
  • Trainee Coach Supervisor (Gymnastics Australia)

 

Brianna Burgess – is a retired Level 8 gymnast and still impresses us with her amazing skills! Brianna coaches a variety of recreational and competitive classes throughout the week and has recently started a School Based Traineeship with GymSports FNQ to further develop her skills and obtain her Cert III in Sport and Recreation. Brianna has a great eye for detail and is awesome with kids of all ages. Brianna is currently studying her Advanced Module 1 course.
– Junior Competitive Coach
– GymSports Levels coach
– NinjaGym coach
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)

Mahlinee Ryan – retired as a gymnast at Level 7. Mahlinee began her coaching journey in 2020 assisting in our Recreational Programs. It was quickly recognized that her attention to detail and mannerism with the gymnasts were perfect for competitive gymnastics and she began working with our competitive coaches. Mahlinee has recently been coaching our Recreational and Competitive Boys Programs.
– GymFun, GymSkills coach
– NinjaGym coach
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* MAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)

Macayla Jones – Current Level 8 gymnast. Macayla or Macca (as we like to call her) inspires both our gymnasts and coaches with her positive attitude towards our sport. Macca trains over 16 hours per week, goes to High School and still manages to find the time to coach 2 days per week.
– JuniorGym, GymFun, GymSkills coach
– NinjaGym coach
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)

Ki’Ara Solowski – has a strong background in dance, cheer and gymnastics. Ki’Ara recently joined our team and has been quick to develop her coaching skills. Ki’Ara has a great repport with her gymnasts from GymFun through to her Level 2-Pre 3 GymSports gymnasts and our team members.
– GymFun, GymSkills and GymSports Levels coach
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)

Meet our Beginner coaches: Our Junior coaches are an inspiration to our recreational gymnasts. Junior coaches play a vital role in teaching our young Launchpad gymnasts strong fundamental skills.

Chelsea Jackson – Retired Level 6 gymnast
– GymSkills coach
– NinjaGym coach
* Beginner Coach (Gymnastics Australia)

Dearnna Castle – Retired Level 4 gymnast
– GymFun, GymSkills coach
– NinjaGym coach

 

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