WELSH GYMNASTICS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Governanc
- Head of Governance
- in 2012 As Early Years Manager and Schools Manager
History of Gymnastics: Carys is a former PE teacher, and used to run successful and popular gymnastics clubs after school.
More about Carys: Carys joined Welsh Gymnastics in 2012 as early years manager and schools manager. She helps encourage young children to be fit and active through gymnastics as part of her current role.
Job Titles:
- Men 's Artistic Planning Lead
Chris leads the planning for the men's artistic performance programme and manages all national coaching staff. He supports the national squad programme, through the delivery of squad sessions and club visits, with specific responsibility for Foundation squad gymnasts.
Job Titles:
- Performance Programme Officer
Daniel joined Welsh Gymnastics in February 2024 as the performance programme officer hoping to bring experience from his other roles within Welsh sport.
Daniel represented Team GB, British judo and Welsh judo and finalised his athlete career at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games where he moved on to complete his MSc in sport and exercise science.
Job Titles:
- National Safeguarding Officer
Donna joined Welsh Gymnastics in August 2023 as National Safeguarding Officer.
In her role Donna helps and supports clubs across Wales with safeguarding and wellbeing.
Her aim is to empower clubs and members to prioritise the safeguarding and wellbeing of all of our gymnasts and ensure that the child's voice is at the centre of everything we do.
Donna grew up in Cornwall and prior to joining Welsh Gymnastics worked for the NHS in health and social care for many years.
Job Titles:
- Gymnastics Development Officer - South East Wales
More about Georgia: She has a degree in Sports Studies from the University of South Wales. She's also a cheerleading coach who competed as part of Team Wales Cheer at the World Championships in Florida in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director - Performanc
- Executive Director - Performance
Holly supports and develops talent across Welsh Gymnastics, ensuring everything is in place for gymnasts to reach their full potential.
What keeps Holly busy:
Job Titles:
- Education & Training Officer
India started at Welsh Gymnastics in September 2023 as Training and Education Officer.
Her role involves organising all things courses, workshops, and training.
In her own words: "Knowledge is power, and this is the attitude I am bringing into the role to provide opportunity for growth and development within the community."
However India's journey in the sport began in artistic gymnastics at the age of four, but soon found her love in trampoline gymnastics at aged seven and which she has experienced many ups and downs in over the years (pun intended!).
She is also an active coach, alongside training and competing. India's highlight to date was achieving individual and team gold at the 2016 Junior Commonwealth Championships in Namibia with Team Wales.
Aside from trampolining, India has a BSc and an MSc, and loves a good book. She is also very passionate about female health and empowerment and enjoys raising awareness and furthering her own knowledge on the topic.
Jacob joined the Welsh Gymnastics family in August 2023 in the role of Finance Officer.
Part of the Business Support Team, Jacob's role is to ensure the finance and administration function of the business runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis.
Outside of work, he is interested in all sport, predominately rugby and football - and is a keen supporter of Liverpool FC.
Job Titles:
- Competition Coordinator ( Non - Olympic Disciplines )
Joining the Welsh Gymnastics family in 2022, fulfilling the role of non-Olympic competition co-ordinator, James has the desire to create valued opportunities within the community.
After being involved in gymnastics, from participating in schools competitions, to judging a variety of gymnastics events, he hopes that he can help contribute to development of the current offer to members and share his enthusiasm for the sport.
James studied BA Sport Management, leading to a manager role within a local gymnastics club, where he loves to coach gymnastics and cheerleading.
Outside of gymnastics, James is a keen historian where on his days off he likes to utilise his recent Cadw membership.
Joanne helps and liaises with clubs, local authorities, leisure and other partners to sustain and grow the gymnastics community in West Wales.
Job Titles:
- Education and Training Manager
Job Titles:
- Gymnastics Development Officer - North Wales
Kimberley joined Welsh Gymnastics in January 2024 as the Gymnastics Development Officer for the North.
Her role is to support the development of gymnastics in North Wales in areas such as Wrexham, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, Ynys Môn and Powys. Kimberley helps and liaises with clubs, local authorities, leisure, and other partners to sustain and grow the gymnastics community in North Wales. This includes supporting clubs with grant funding applications, co-ordinating regional and national competitions, and helping current and new clubs to create additional gymnastics opportunities in North Wales.
Kimberley has a wealth of experience in gymnastics. She began coaching in 2013 and has coached at Ynys Môn and Bristol Hawks Gymnastics, as well as working for the Bermuda Gymnastics Association and she has also volunteered in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, Kimberley is a Women's Artistic Regional judge and has judges at the Pan Am Games in Lima, 2019.
Job Titles:
- Gymnastics Development Officer - South Central Wales
Job Titles:
- Development National Coach
- Rhythmic Development National Coach
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of SAFEGUARDING
Lisa joined the Welsh Gymnastics team in April 2023.
In her role as Executive Director of Safeguarding, she is responsible for leading and providing strategic direction on all aspects of safeguarding and wellbeing, across the organisation.
Lisa will also work across Wales in every aspect of gymnastics activity, which will include working with clubs, leisure centres, parents, coaches, performance programmes and educators.
Having qualified as a social worker in 2012, Lisa began her career in front line child protection, until being appointed as the social worker for the Invisible Walls Wales project at HMP Parc.
Following this, she worked for the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub based at Cardiff Police Station before going to work in Canada, supervising safeguarding case managers.
What keeps Maria busy:
Maria joined Welsh Gymnastics in 2017 as non-Olympic discipline development officer and since then her role within the organisation has evolved a great deal.
She now manages the event programme across all discipline pathways and programmes, with a view to growing what we currently offer to our members - giving them value and opportunities throughout discipline pathways.
Job Titles:
- Development Coach
- Women 's Artistic National Development Coach
Megan joined Welsh Gymnastics at the end of 2021 and her day-to-day role involves coaching the elite and development gymnasts on the centralised programme and helping them pursue their goals.
She also runs the Welsh Foundation & Area squads, helping these younger gymnasts as well as supporting coach development.
Megan enjoyed gymnastics as a teenager and says the move into coaching felt like a natural one as she has always loved supporting gymnasts to achieve their own goals and seeing how much it means to them when they overcome challenges.
She has previously coached in clubs, working with gymnasts of all ages and abilities.
With a degree in Strength & Conditioning, Sports Rehabilitation & Massage, Megan has also competed in pole vault athletics & CrossFit.
Job Titles:
- Head National Rhythmic Coach
History of gymnastics: Nia has been a gymnast since the age of 3, moving into the rhythmic discipline at the age of 10. She started coaching at the age of 16, becoming part of the national preparation squads at 18.
More about Nia: She was central to Welsh Gymnastics' success at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when Frankie Jones, Laura Halford and Nikara Jenkins won 8 medals between them. Nia also takes responsibility for Welsh gymnasts representing Great Britain.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Women 's Artistic National Coach
Job Titles:
- Men 's Artistic National Coach
Job Titles:
- Executive Director - Development
Gymnastics history: Siwan started gymnastics in Ynys Mon and competed at eight Island Games in the Channel Islands, Aland in Finland and Bermuda. A qualified Women's Artistic coach, Siwan utilised her award to begin gymnastics provision for the URDD through the medium of Welsh, deliver recreational gymnastics in leisure sites across Cardiff and developed a gymnastics club in Butetown, Cardiff. Siwan is passionate about making gymnastics accessible for all.
More about Siwan: Siwan has a MSc in Sport and Exercise Science specialising in Biomechanics. Siwan is a fluent Welsh speaker and plays three musical instruments; the piano, harp and clarinet.
Job Titles:
- Head Women 's Artistic National Coach