MEET THE TEAM

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.

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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 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 a 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 club had grown enough for 4yrs+ General Gymnastics classes to start at Tanners Wood Hall, Abbots Langley. The biggest moment in our club's development was on 6th March 2019, when we moved in to One YMCA's previous weights room to use as a full-time gymnasium. Gratefully, this is still the home of Airies today. Moving here was a huge moment for the club - it meant I no longer had to rig and de-rig the equipment, professional beams and bars could be installed, our services could expand to 6+ days a week and the Airies coaching team could grow and develop. We now welcome in over 300 2.5-13 year olds each week. 

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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, 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.

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What work did you do before opening the club in 2017?

In the past, I worked as a Lifeguard, Receptionist, Waitress, Ski Resort Representative in Austria, Personal Trainer, Fitness Motivator and Children's Party Host.