Meet the Coaches
The club boasts an experienced and dedicated coaching staff with British Gymnastics Qualifications. All Coaches and gymnasts are insured through the British Gymnastics club scheme.
Christine Still
Christine Still
Head Coach
International Performance Coach
Master Coach – British Gymnastics
Chris has been the Head Coach of Park Wrekin Gymnastic Club since 1990, coaching gymnasts to Olympic, Commonwealth World and European success. She is also the coach responsible for the Elite Programme.
She has been the BBC Commentator for Gymnastics, covering the last six Olympic Games.
“I have been a gymnastic coach all my life. The challenge and rewards have never dimmed for me. The pleasure in helping a child or young adult succeed in achieving something they thought was beyond them is quite special. Of course the accolades come when you work with international performers, but the joy and sense of achievement is the same whatever the level of gymnast you are working with.
Gymnastics for performer and coach is the ultimate sport, there is always something new to learn or perfect. The challenge is always present. And if you can brush off the disappointments that inevitably come along the way and continue focused and determined, you will be a success in any walk of life you choose in the future”
Brett Ince
Brett Ince
Head of Elite & Performance
Level 5 – High Performance Coach
Greatest achievements – Coach on the floor at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 European Championships, where my gymnasts brought home medals at both events.
“I was first introduced to gymnastics at 5 years of age when I was spotted at a local leisure centre after it was apparent that football wasn’t the sport for me. I was upside down swinging from the goal posts like a monkey instead of saving the goals.
I quickly fell in love with gymnastics, training hard for 13 years helped me represent Great Britain in Men’s Artistic. After retiring as an athlete, I took my coaching qualifications in Women’s Artistic. I moved to Park Wrekin in 2008 to be mentored by Christine Still. Her passion and knowledge, alongside my dedication and determination, have helped me coach gymnasts to represent Great Britain and put me on the pathway towards achieving my dream of being a coach to Olympians.
What I love most about gymnastics is that it rewards hard work. There aren’t any shortcuts to success – only the most determined and driven get to the top of their game”
Jemma Parry
Jemma Parry
Head of Preschool & Development Elite Performance Coach
Level 5 – High Performance Coach
Jemma is also responsible for the Advanced, Recreation and Pre School Programmes.
She is also the coach of our youngest British Squad members
“I started coaching when I was 16, having enjoyed competing as a Park Wrekin gymnast. I immediately loved the variety and challenge of coaching at all Levels. Some of the best moments come unexpectedly in the gym when a new skill is mastered for the first time by a child. I am involved with Pre-school and all sections of the club, coaching International performers as well. My aim is to see Park Wrekin as one of the best clubs in GB at all levels”
Derek van der Ploeg
Derek Van Der Ploeg
Elite Performance Coach
Shropshire County and West Midlands Regional Coach
Level 5 – High performance Coach
“I love coaching because of the smile you get when a gymnast achieves a new move or their best result. My best coaching experience – the last smile.
In my free time, I like to coach. This is my free time! The day job is making teeth!!”
Claudia Nixson
Claudia Nixson
Head of Beginners, Recreation & Advanced
Women’s Artistic Level 2 Coach
Lexie Bennett
Lexie Bennett
Preschool, Pre – Elite Development Coach
Women’s Artistic Level 2 Coach
“Coaching has been a passion of mine for a very long time and I was so excited to start a full time position here at Park Wrekin! I absolutely love being part of this amazing club and really enjoy all the areas I coach in.
My passion is in Development Gymnastics as I love providing young gymnasts with the means necessary to succeed when they venture into the elite section as they grow..
In my free time, I perform with my Theatre Company, which includes singing, dancing and acting. This hobby has lended it’s self very well to my title as Head of GymFusion which is a mixture of Dance, Gymnastics and Performance. This has also helped me a great deal in leading our fantastic themed Preschool sessions”
Ellie Fletcher
Ellie Fletcher
Head of Junior Elite
Level 3 Women’s Artistic Coach
Ellie is a student at Loughborough University and is doing her placement year with us.
‘I love coaching because knowing that you have helped a child learn a new move, get over a fear or win a medal is the best feeling.
My best coaching experience was having 2 gymnasts I coach medal and all 3 compete without any mistakes at the West Midlands Level 5. It was my first competition with them.
In my free time I go kickboxing and sleep.’
Gemma Lafferty
Gemma Lafferty
Elite Gymnastics Coach
Women’s Artistic Level 4 Qualified Coach
Phoebe Nicholls
Phoebe Nicholls
Women’s Artistic Level 1 Coach
Phoebe is a former Elite Gymnast from Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, who has now taken on a full time role with Park Wrekin Gymnastics! Like many of our Gymnasts, Phoebe continues her journey by taking on coaching roles in Development, Beginners, and Recreation.
Phoebe also assists with the running of our Beginners, Recreational and Advanced Programmes.
Vladimir Shchegolev
Men’s International Performance Coach
Former Men’s Head National Gymnastics Coach of Great Britain
Gymnastics Coach with 47 years of worldwide experience working in MAG. Honoured Coach from Russia, Vladimir represented GB at the 2000 European Championships in Bremen, 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and represented The Northern Ireland Team at the World Championships in Stuttgart 2007.
Vladimir will be working within the Boys section of the club to further develop their pathway to competitive gymnastics.
Josie Vaughan
Josie Vaughan
Recreation, Advanced, Floor & Vault Coach
General Gymnastics Level 2 Qualified Club Coach
Josie is also the Chairman of the Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club
Heather Pritchards
Heather Pritchards
Women’s Artistic Level 3 Coach
Heather was one of the founder members of the club in the 1970’s.
“I love coaching because it was the next progression from being a gymnast. I enjoy the achievement when a gymnast does something for the first time unaided. It is also nice to see gymnasts you have coached bring their children to my class. It shows they must have enjoyed their experience in the gym and want it for their children.
My best coaching experience is getting a gymnast to pull up round on bars when they are frightened of going upside down.
When not in the gym I look after my grandchildren and am a part time admin clerk”
Lorna Poutney
Lorna Poutney
Women’s Artistic Level 4 Coach
Lorna was one of the club’s most successful gymnasts, representing Great Britain at the World and European Championships at the end of the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s. Lorna represented England at the Commonwealth Games 1990 in Auckland.
“Coaching is in my blood. I love the sport of gymnastics.
My best coaching experience is getting gymnasts through compulsory 2 and qualifying them for the British Championship.
Out of the gym I work full time as a manager and like walking my dogs, socialising and spending time at the caravan”
Nick Pemberton
Nick Pemberton
Men’s Artistic Level 3 Coach
Natasha Tsang
Natasha Tsang
Women’s Artistic Level 2 Coach
Tasha is a former Elite Gymnast from Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, who, like many of our Gymnasts, continues her journey by taking on coaching roles in Development, Beginners, and Recreation.
Harriet Price
Harriet Price
Women’s Artistic Level 1 Coach
Harriet is a former Elite Gymnast from Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, who competed at high level placing 7th in Great Britain at the Senior Challenge Cup in 2018. Harriet continues her journey with Gymnastics by taking on coaching roles in Preschool, Development, Beginners, Recreation and Advanced.
Why Choose Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club?
Park Wrekin Gymnastics club is, simply, an outstanding organisation, boasting some of the UK’s best coaches and a reputation for quality training, caring and fun. Our new gym facilities are second to none. And we provide a range of classes that suit gymnasts of all ages, skills and experience – whether you are a novice or aspiring world champion.
We are also the most successful gymnastics club in the West Midlands. Since its inception in the 1960’s, many of our gymnasts have been selected for international honours, competing in the Olympic Games, World and European Championships – winning many medals for the countries that they have represented.
The club is a registered charity and is run by a Board of Trustees comprising Christine Still, Brett Ince, Jemma Parry, Josie Vaughan , Nick Pemberton (Coaches), Debbie Nicholls, Hazel Arrowsmith, Karen Leighton (Volunteers) and Brett Racher (Volunteer Treasurer).
Scroll down to see more reasons why you should choose Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club…
Our Reputation
We enjoy an enviable reputation, borne from the quality and experience of our coaching staff; our gymnasium facilities; the range and structure of the classes that we offer; and the opportunities that we provide for our gymnasts to realise their potential and/or compete at the very highest levels. We aim to be both friendly and caring, recognising the responsibilities that we have for providing not only the very highest standards of coaching and training, but for also making it fun and enjoyable!
Our Coaching Team
We have an unrivalled coaching team with hundreds of years of combined experience. We provide a full range of fully-qualified British Gymnastics coaches for all ages and abilities – from pre-school toddlers to potential World Champions. We have even been part of the BBC gymnastics commentary team for the last six Olympic Games – in Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.
Our Range of Classes
Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club offers a full range of gymnastics sessions, structured by age and/or ability.
We have three different Pre-school classes, from toddlers to school age.
At school age, all our gymnasts automatically progress into the Beginners.
Once Beginners have learned basic skills in a fun and friendly environment, they move on to Recreational, Advanced and Elite classes depending on their ability and inclination to achieve awards and compete.
We even have Adult sessions, for those aged 16+, providing fitness-based training, followed by a chance to have a go on all the equipment!
CHECK OUT OUR TIMETABLE HERE
Our Gymnasium
Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club’s brand new gymnasium was fully renovated and newly equipped at a cost of over £200,000.
Comprising 6,500 square feet, it has the capacity to simultaneously train over 100 gymnasts, seven days per week, for 48 weeks of the year. It even has a coffee shop, with complimentary Wi-fi access – for parents or that post-training (healthy!) snack.
The club also uses the leading gymnastic facility in Europe, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, several times per week.
Our Gymnastics Equipment
Our gymnasium has only the very best training aids and equipment. All our equipment is supplied by Gymnova, an international company with a worldwide reputation for quality, durability and safety. Click here to see the full specification of our gym and its facilities.
Our Parental Facilities
We recognise and value the support and encouragement that parents provide for all our gymnasts, so we aim to keep them comfortable and well-refreshed. We have a Gym viewing facility, with TV Viewing available! Our facility is also home to the fantastic, DINK’s Cafe to stay refreshed complete with complimentary Wi-Fi.
We also have a number of private rooms available for hire. Contact us to discuss availability.
Competition
We recognise that not every gymnast enjoys the pressure of competition. For this reason, we are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to reach their potential in whatever way they wish. Whilst we currently have more than 70 competitive gymnasts, at all levels, we have many hundreds more taking part for their own enjoyment.
Our Location
We are conveniently located at Park Gymnastic Centre, formally known as the Old Charlton School Sports Hall on the outskirts of Telford, Shropshire. Just off the M54, we enjoy easy access from Shrewsbury and the West Midlands towns of Wolverhampton, Cannock and Stafford. We are also in close proximity to the Lilleshall National Sports Centre, the finest gymnastic training venue in Europe, which we use several times per week.
Our Gym Facilities
Park Wrekin Gymnastic Club’s new gym is, arguably, one of the best equipped club facilities in the UK. The old Charlton School Sports Hall has been completely gutted and re-built to create a custom-designed and purpose-built gymnasium specifically for Artistic Gymnastics. The gym itself has a huge floor area of nearly 6,500 square feet – and not an inch has been wasted! The apparatus, flooring, mats and pits include:
- An Olympic-sized, 12 square metres sprung floor for the Floor Exercise. It’s the same floor as will be used for the 2020 Olympics and the first in the UK
- A fully-sprung Tumbling Track
- A state-of-the-art Vaulting table and springboard, with a full competition run up and foam pitted landing area
- Five competition Balance Beams with non-slip padded top surfaces as well as many low, soft training beams
- A Pommel Horse, Parallel Bars and Rings
- Three sets of competition quality Asymmetric Bars, one with its own, sunken pit landing area
- Two sets of adjustable height High Bars
- A large size, built-in Trampoline, with 4cm protection pads – specifically designed for learning gymnastics skills in a safe environment
- Two huge, sunken pitted landing areas filled with foam logs to provide effective shock absorption when working on the equipment
All the gym equipment and fittings have been supplied by Gymnova, an internationally acclaimed manufacturer and a key supplier to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
And, there is (of course) our Dink’s Cafe, with complimentary Wi-fi, where you can meet friends or simply enjoy a skinny latte!
