All our coaches have been police-checked and hold DBS certificates, formally known as CRBs. All hold British Gymnastics (BG) qualifications, or are working towards them under the supervision of a fully qualified coach. All members of the coaching team have been trained in emergency first aid, have attended and passed child protection courses and remain committed to the important principles of child protection, welfare and equity in their coaching.
Heather Sampford – Head Coach
Heather is the founder of Worthing Gymnastics Club and has been Head Coach since its inception in 2011. With almost 20 years’ experience in gymnastics she brings a wealth of knowledge. Heather oversees the whole club and its sessions, organises the yearly plan together with the team, and gives guidance to Junior Coaches in all areas of their roles. She also oversees gymnastics programs and training with a keen eye as this is where her expertise lies
Gemma Bland – Assistant Head Coach – Level 2
Gemma is one of the club’s core coaches, Gemma is a well experienced coach within the WGC team who has helped the club to become what it is today and is a fantastic, fun, and focused coach. Gemma heads up many of our club’s events. The years calendar includes Broadwater Carnival, FKA ‘fire station open day’, The Elderflower Festival and our in house annual club competition. She also helps to plan, choreograph and run WGCs spectacular Christmas Display.
Leilani Mason – Coach – Level 2
Has a level 2 in general gymnastics, Lani delivers foundational programs to development groups building precision and discipline into their foundation program offering competing opportunities for boys and girls.
Finlay Rolfe – Coach – Level 0
Has been a gymnast with the club since the age of 7, now 17 years old he is an assistant coach. Finlay’s considered approach to gymnastics enables him to break down skills to mini gymnasts enabling them task imbedding the foundational skills needed to move onto development groups. Finlay is always looking out for the group dynamic and supports them all to work as a team so their classes remain progressive whilst having fun.
Malakyi Ebanks – Coach – Level Gold Leadership
Malakyi volunteered his Saturday mornings to help support his sister Jaia, he was such a hit with the mini gymnasts we couldn’t help but offer Malakyi a position within the coaching team. He has endless energy mixed with an enquiring mind makes Malakyi’s coaching style dynamic and fun.
Joesph O’Reilly – Coach – Level 2
Joesph O’Reilly leads our operations in the gym whilst supporting the clubs gymnastics program. He has made a big impact with our boys introducing our GymKore program increasing opportunities for boys of all ages. A Talented Gymnast himself, competing at regional level Joseph is helping to inspire and produce the next generation of gymnasts!
Megan Villis – Coach – Level 1
Our coach Megan is working with our general gymnastics program for girls and boys, producing new and exciting levels of progression for our mini gymnasts. Megan is innovative and hardworking with a keen insight to what produces a happy gymnast using core skills to ensure gymnasts reach their full potential whilst having lots of fun.
Leadership Academy Coaches
Jasmine Staples, Dan Vallance, Themis Libor, Malakyi Ebanks, Jack Bristow, Aysha Hardy, Charlie and Nico Kriel, Eleanor Godden, Freya Weston and Ollie Patrick.
Our Leadership coaches, Bronze – Gold are working with our coaching team to develop and hone their coaching skills. Supporting girls and boys, helping to produce new and exciting programmes. They are enthusiastic creative and hardworking coaches and strive to provide a safe and fun environment for all gymnasts to engage in the sport that they love whilst learning life skills!
VOLUNTARY COACHES
Most of our wonderful voluntary coaches are ex gymnasts from many years ago or have experience in other sports they are all parents of our amazing boys and girls in our club. We couldn’t operate with out their support!
Josy Stoker With 3 of her children already keen gymnasts Josy is all too aware of the commitment needed both by the gymnasts and their parents. She is on hand to support parents with any questions they may have and assist new and/or existing gymnasts that may need additional support.
Emily Adams- First Steps Rising 5’s Our wonderful volunteer is always on hand to dive in and give additional support. Emily has two children. Jessica who attends the club loves gymnastics! We can’t wait for her sister to join us who’s just turned 1!
