The coaching team are DBS certificated, 1st aid trained, have attended child protection courses and hold British Gymnastics (BG) qualifications, or are working towards them under the supervision of a fully qualified coach. All members of the coaching team remain committed to the important principles of child protection, welfare and equity in their coaching.
| Heather Sampford – Head Coach Meet Heather! 🌟 |
| Heather is the proud founder of Worthing Gymnastics Club and has been Head Coach since 2011. With over 30 years of experience, her passion, knowledge and dedication are at the heart of the club. Heather leads and inspires her coaching team, overseeing gymnastics programmes and guiding the development of both coaches and gymnasts. With her expert eye for technique and progression, she is passionate about helping everyone achieve their best. At the heart is the belief that every child matters. She strives to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every gymnast feels valued, supported and inspired✨ |
| Gemma Hornsby – Team Lead Meet Gemma! 🌟 |
| Gemma is one of our club’s core coaches and has played a huge part in making the club what it is today. Bringing a wealth of experience, creativity and passion, she is a fun, focused and inspiring coach who is always there to support and encourage both gymnasts and her fellow coaches. As our dedicated Welfare Officer, Gemma is a trusted first point of contact, offering care, guidance and support to our club community. She is also the driving force behind many of our exciting events, including the Elderflower Festival, our Annual Club Competition and the planning and choreography of our spectacular Christmas show. Her enthusiasm, dedication and endless ideas make her an invaluable part of our team. ✨ |
| Lucy Russell Meet Lucy! 🌟 |
| Lucy began her coaching journey by volunteering at the club and quickly discovered her love for teaching gymnastics. Now a qualified Level 1 British Gymnastics coach, Lucy brings a warm, friendly and enthusiastic personality to every session. With her caring, patient and encouraging approach, she creates a happy and supportive environment. Lucy loves helping gymnasts build strong core skills, grow in confidence and reach their full potential, all while having lots of fun along the way. ✨ |
| Kierri Marret Meet Kierri! 🌟 |
| Kierri has been a valued member of the club for many years, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from her own gymnastics journey. With her caring nature and passion for coaching, she creates a positive, supportive environment where every gymnast feels encouraged and valued. Kierri loves helping gymnasts build confidence, develop their skills and reach their full potential, all while making gymnastics a fun and rewarding experience. |
| Isabella Faulknor Meet Izzy! 🌟 |
| Izzy brings fantastic energy, enthusiasm and creativity to every gymnastics session. With an abundance of knowledge built on a background in cheerleading, acro dance and musical theatre, she brings a fresh and exciting approach to coaching. She loves planning fun, engaging sessions, adapting activities to suit individual abilities and introducing new ideas to keep her gymnasts inspired. With her positive energy and passion for teaching, Izzy helps every gymnast grow in confidence, develop new skills and shine. ✨ |
| Belle Webster Meet Belle! 🌟 |
| Belle is a dedicated, thoughtful and inspiring coach who brings so much care and enthusiasm to every session. Her hardworking nature, natural intuition and curiosity make her a fantastic part of our coaching team. Belle loves to plan, ask questions and explore new ideas, always looking for creative ways to adapt her coaching to suit each gymnast’s individual needs. With her caring approach, attention to detail and genuine passion for helping children thrive, Belle creates a positive, encouraging environment where every gymnast feels valued ✨ |
| Charlie Kierl Meet Charlie! 🌟 |
| Charlie is a fantastic all rounder who brings endless energy, enthusiasm and a real passion for coaching to every session. A keen rugby player, referee and multi sport coach, Charlie uses his sporting experience, quick thinking and natural agility to adapt his coaching style effortlessly. Always striving for results, he has a brilliant ability to make every gymnast feel comfortable, confident and at home. A true team player who thrives on being busy, Charlie is always ready to help, get involved and make sure nobody is left out. His infectious energy, supportive nature and dedication make him an incredible asset to our coaching team ✨ |
Alex Walter – Welfare Officer
Alex Walter has three children, all of which have attended WGC. He is a specialist paramedic in urgent and primary care, working in general practice in the Worthing area. He has also been the Resuscitation Officer for the local community NHS Trust and has worked in A&E’s, urgent treatment centres and minor injury units across London and the south east and has taught first aid to local school staff, parents and pupils.
He has been involved with young people, ever since he was one himself! Previously he has been the chairman of a local Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Committee, a senior youth worker within the British Red Cross and a local school governor.
Alex is available to all gymnasts, parents/carers, and coaches for support on any welfare and health-related matters, including injuries. You can contact Alex initially via telephone or email, or arrange a face-to-face meeting either in person or virtually.
Alex is dedicated to providing guidance and assistance, ensuring that any concerns are addressed and that gymnasts receive the support they need to stay healthy and safe.
Alex is passionate about encouraging children to engage in more physical activity and believes in fostering a sense of discipline that will help them tackle life’s challenges with confidence, care, and a focus on overall well-being.
Contact Alex
| Leadership Academy Coaches Meet Our Leadership Academy! 🌟 Finlay Griffiths, Louie Le Gac, Nico Kriel, Tia Dewy, Halle Webster, Barnaby Wilson, Freya Weston, Molly Wilkes, Dulcie O’Sullivan |
| Our Bronze to Gold Leadership Coaches are the inspiring coaches of tomorrow! Working alongside our experienced coaching team, they develop and refine their coaching skills while supporting gymnasts of all ages and abilities. Enthusiastic, creative and hardworking, our young leaders help bring fresh ideas and exciting programmes to life, creating a safe, fun and encouraging environment where every gymnast can thrive. Our Leadership Academy is about more than gymnastics, it’s about building confidence, inspiring others and developing valuable life skills that last a lifetime✨ |
| Worthing Aviators Meet Our Worthing Aviators! 🌟 Talia Hornsby, Chloe Balchin, Malachi Sam, Delilah Bambrick-Giles, Millie Bolton, Marla Sacco, Jasmin Harber, Hanna Fejdych |
| Our Worthing Aviators are our inspiring young gymnasts who are taking their first steps into leadership! Full of enthusiasm, energy and a passion for gymnastics, they support our coaches, becoming fantastic role models for the next generation. Through helping, encouraging and inspiring others, our Aviators develop confidence, teamwork and valuable leadership skills, all while making a real difference to our club. The Aviators programme is the first exciting step on their journey towards our Leadership Academy, where today’s young helpers become tomorrow’s inspiring leaders✨ |