IT IS IN THE AIR I ESTABLISH MY GREATEST POWERS
MEET THE TEAM
All of our coaches aged 16 years+ have checks / qualifications / training in:
Paediatric First Aid
Enhanced DBS check
Safeguarding and Protecting Children (Foundation Safeguarding for 16 and 17 year old coaches)
Manual Handling
Neurodiversity Inclusion
Fire Safety (or Fire Warden for 18 years+ coaches in charge of a lesson)
​
All of our coaches aged 16 years+ with a Level 1+ Qualification in Coaching Gymnastics are also trained in:
Best Practice in Flexibility Training
​
All of our coaches aged 18 years+ have checks / qualifications / training in:
Inclusive Training
​
All of our coaches aged 18 years+ with a Level 2+ Qualification in Coaching Gymnastics are also trained in
Positive Coaching
All of the above are renewed as and when required, as per British Gymnastics guidelines and requirements.
Saskia Leigh
Administrator | Head Coach | Company Director
Can you tell me about your time as a Competitive Gymnast?
When I was 4 years old, my parents discovered I could do the splits, so they took me to gymnastics lessons at the Watford Bill Everett Centre, where they then advised us to move to a more elite club. I met my coach Claire Thornton at Dolphina Gymnastics Club, where we then moved to Hendon Gymnastics Club and then Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club. During these 10 years, Claire taught me high skill elements such as double pike somersault off the high bar, double twists on the floor, tuck tsukahara on vault and flick layout on the beam. These were all necessary to compete at Women's Artistic County and Regional Championships and shaped me in to the person I am today. There's something powerful in sport, which is why I am so passionate for it to always remain a part of my life.
​
How and why did you decide to create Airies Gymnastics Club?
I retired as a competitive Gymnast at the age of 14 and went straight in to coaching. Becoming a coach and having a club of my own was something I often thought about growing up. I have always been inspired by my Coach and the athletes around me; gymnasium's were a second home and my whole childhood was devoted to the sport. So, by the age of 20, I pursued my dream of opening up my own gymnastics club - With no financial support behind me and a maxed out credit card, I spent 6 months buying small pieces of equipment after each payday and storing blocks, beams and mats at home.
How has Airies Gymnastics Club developed over the years?
At the start, I searched for weeks to find the perfect venue, before my dad recommended One YMCA in Leavesden Country Park. The studio was perfect for preschool gymnastics, so our first class commenced on 30th October 2017. Six months later on 21st April 2018, the word had got around and the club was growing, so I started 4yrs+ General Gymnastics classes at Tanners Wood Hall in Abbots Langley. The biggest moment in our club's development was on 6th March 2019, when I moved the club in to its own full-time gymnasium at our first venue - One YMCA. I heard that their weights room gym was shutting down, so dreaming big, I sent in my enquiries to take over the space. Moving in to a full-time gymnasium was a huge moment for the club - it meant I no longer had to rig and de-rig the equipment, beams and bars could be installed, our services could expand to 7 days a week, our coaching team could develop and then ultimately, we began to welcome in over 350 3-13 year olds each week.
​
What are your relevant Qualifications?
Active IQ Level 3 Personal Training, Core Proficiency Trampolining, Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics, Level 1 Pre-school Gymnastics, Level 1 in Judging Floor and Vault, Level 2 General Gymnastics, Level 2 Freestyle Gymnastics, Risk Assessment Training, Positive Coaching, Anti-Doping Education, GDPR Awareness and Implementation, Equality and diversity for clubs, Gymnastics Disability Awareness Module, Level 3 Module 1 and Module 3 in General Gymnastics.
​
What work did you do before opening the club?
In the past I've worked as a Lifeguard, Receptionist, Waitress, Ski Resort Representative, Personal Trainer, Fitness Motivator and Party Host.
Grace Brazer
Club Welfare Officer
Should you have any welfare concerns at Airies Gymnastics Club, you can email me at gracebrazer@gmail.com
​
Alternatively, you can speak to someone at...
​
ChildLine: 0800 1111
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
​
British Gymnastics: 0345 1297129
​
Remember:
Trust your instincts about the people you meet and never allow anyone to do things to you that make you feel uncomfortable.
Bella Bolt
Coach
Bella has been involved in Gymnastics for most of her life, with both of her sisters also with experience in the sport. She is currently part of a Cheerleading Squad and competed at 'Worlds' in Florida, in 2023. We look forward to training her up to become one of our lead coaches in 2025.
​
Relevant qualifications:
Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics
​
Upcoming 2024/2025 Courses:
Level 2 Women's Artistic Gymnastics
Preschool Gymnastics CPD
​
Alice Babcock
Coach
Alice started gymnastics at 8 years old before moving to Airies. A big fan of keeping active, she regularly participates in tennis and netball. When she turned 14 years old, she began volunteering as an Airies Trainee coach for her Duke of Edinburgh award. We have now welcomed her on board our coaching team and look forward to training her up with future coaching courses.
​
Relevant Qualifications:
British Gymnastics - Gymnastics Helper
​
Upcoming 2024 Courses:
Level 1 General Gymnastics
​
​
Lydia Sellen
Coach
Another ex-artistic gymnast who also trained at Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club, taught by Claire Thornton. Lydia is a talented coach with a lot of experience to share - she competed at the English and Adrian Stan Teams, and was the Grade 1 National and Regional Level 4-2 Champion.
​
Lydia is currently at University and helps out at the club whenever she is home. We wish her the best of luck with her studies.
​
Relevant qualifications:
Core Proficiency, Level 1 and Level 2 in Women's Artistic Gymnastics.
Lulu Penn
Coach
Lulu joined us initially as a Trainee Coach, volunteering for her Duke of Edinburgh Award. With a background in Acro Gymnastics, she enjoys being a part of a team and teaching younger children how to work well with each other.
​
Lulu also has a passion for Netball and Athletics, having finished 1st place in Track and Field competitions.
​
Relevant Qualifications:
British Gymnastics - Gymnastics Helper
​
​
Emily Dawson
Coach
Emily began gymnastics at the age of 3, and by 8 years old, she became a competitive squad gymnast at Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club.
​
At 12 years old, she began coaching the sport, acquiring new skills and sharing her passion with others.
Now a cheerleader, Emily has been competing in National competitions for 5 years and continues this hobby at University, where she is studying Biomedicine. She helps teach at Airies whenever she is home.
​
Relevant qualifications:
Core Proficiency and Level 1 in Coaching General Gymnastics.​​
​
Klara Pritchard
Coach
Klara has been a dancer since the age of 3, and in 2022, started gymnastics lessons at our club. Impressing the coaches so much, she was offered our Trainee Coaching scheme when she turned 13. This aided her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, and taught her skills which enabled her to become part of the Airies coaching team.
​
Klara has also been involved in her school sports leadership academy during 2021-2024; supporting Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 sports events. Her other hobbies include skiing, playing the saxophone and creative writing.
​
Relevant Qualifications:
Basic First Aid Course
British Gymnastics - Gymnastics Helper
​
Rebecca Townshend
Coach
In 2020, Rebecca joined Airies as a gymnast eager to learn, before retiring in 2023 and training up to become a coach under our Trainee Coaching scheme.
​
Having retired from Dance, Rebecca now enjoys playing for her Football and Netball team. With a passion in helping others, Rebecca often helps coach the younger Netball players at her school.
​
Relevant Qualifications:
British Gymnastics - Gymnastics Helper
​
​
​
Adya Chauhan
Coach
Welcoming our newest coach! Adya started gymnastics when she was five years old and competed for six years. She now enjoys tennis and badminton whilst studying maths, chemistry and biology in sixth form.
​
Adya is involved in her school's Level 2 Sports Leadership Program and helps run the school's gymnastics club, alongside her sister.
​
Upcoming 2024 Courses:
Level 1 General Gymnastics
​
_edited_edited.jpg)
Nicola Bateman
Coach
As the mother of Saskia, Nicky has been a part of the gymnastics community for many years now, supporting Saskia when she was a gymnast as she trained and competed regularly.
Nicky now helps out at the club whenever we are short-staffed. The participants immediately connect with her gentle approach to coaching.
​
Relevant qualifications:
Level 1 General Gymnastics
Jasmine Fox
Coach
Jasmine is off to University (2024). We wish her all the best with her studies and hope to see her back in the gymnasium whenever she is home.
​
Jasmine is an ex-recreational gymnast with previous experience also in dance and netball. Throughout 2023, she studied for her first British Gymnastics coaching exam at our club and had successful results.
​
Relevant Qualifications:
Level 1 General Gymnastics.