Coaching Team

20 years+ coaching experience

• Born in Yaroslavl Soviet Union (Russia)     • Russian gymnast for 10 years - Member of Junior National Team    • Yaroslavl Gymnastic Club

• Attended Yaroslavl pedagogical university 1988-1992 – Master of Sport Degree   • Previous coach at Spartak – Russia;

• Christchurch School of Gymnastics 2004-2015 

International Gymnast Achievements include but not limited to –

• Millie Williamson - Youth Olympic Games, Pacific Rim, 1st place Australian Competition Perth
• Charlotte Sullivan- World Cup finalist (3rd place - beam), finalist on Floor for Doha World Cup, finalist on Beam Pacific Rim, finalist All Around and Floor for Commonwealth Games, World Championship athlete 
• Courtney McGregor - athlete for Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cups, Pacific Rim Finalist on vault, World Championship, World Cups and multiple International competitions throughout USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia
• Jun McDonald - 2023 World Cup Challenge (Hungary), 2024 Pacific Rim Championships (Colombia), 2024 World Cups (Bulgaria & Slovenia)
• Alisa Wada - 2024 World Cups (Bulgaria & Slovenia)

Svetlana is one of NZ's most experienced and well-seasoned coach, both nationally and internationally.  An ex-gymnast herself, upon retirement, she gained a Sports Science and moved to New Zealand with her husband in early-2000s.  Svetlana is always dedicated to her gymnasts.  She coaches our Senior International gymnasts as well as the STEPS 7-10 level, and oversees the development and nurturing of all of our WAG gymnasts.  Svetlana also mentors our other coaches so that her knowledge and experiences are passed down.

5 years coaching experience

Issabella is an ex-gymnast, having lived and breathed gymnastics for 15 years (13 years in Australia and 2 years in NZ).  She was a well-seasoned gymnast in Australia, competing at National level from the age of 6 years old and was a member of the Queensland State Team in her senior year.

"One of the most influential parts of being a coach is the ability I have to connect with each individual and their families to understand exactly what it is that each gymnast needs to reach their full potential.  I love seeing their spark light up when all of their hard work comes together and they achieve more than they ever thought they could, which is waht keeps me going each and every day."

5 years coaching experience

Erin originally hails from the North Island, an ex-gymnast herself, competing to STEP 7.  She gained a silver medal on beam at the NZ Nationals and was in the winning team 3 times, as well competing in Australia earning herself a gold medal!  She is currently studying at University of Canterbury for her double major in Sport Analysis and Sport Science.

"Having been a young gymnast, I realised later on in life how much it affected me. It made me a stronger human being both mentally and physically. I want to give my knowledge to the girls as watching athletes grow and mentoring young gymnasts give me so much joy and is very fulfilling".

2 years coaching experience

Laura, originally coming from the Netherlands, has been doing competitive gymnastics for about 10 years. During her journey, she gained several regional titles and competed at the national championships in her category. She has always been involved in gymnastics after competing by being an active member of a gymnastics student association in the Netherlands and coaching recreational lessons. She moved to Christchurch for her PhD, and started coaching the adult class at Te Wero in 2022. More recently, Laura also started coaching the competitive girls at Te Wero.

“As a person who has always been very passionate about gymnastics, I started realising that coaching gymnastics is just as fun as doing gymnastics myself! I am excited about coaching individuals ranging from young competitive girls up to adults who have never done gymnastics before as I can share my passion with them.”

2 years coaching experience

Kia Ora my name is Nisha and I am excited to be making the move up to Christchurch to begin coaching at Te Wero.
I have trained in both recreational and the regional competitive program at Dunedin Gymnastics Academy since 2016. And have been coaching both those programmes for the past two years. I’m studying performing arts at NASDA this year, so coming from a dance background I like to incorporate more dance into the artistic elements of gymnastics.
I really enjoy supporting young gymnasts in the regional competitive programme, in a relaxed and fun environment. It is important for me that gymnastics training is a safe space where the children feel understood, and can grow as both gymnasts and people.

5+ years coaching experience

Gemma is an experienced gymnastics coach for many years.  She has been the head coach at Queenstown Gymnastics Club, as well as Regional coach for Christchurch School of Gymnastics.

1 year coaching experience

Piper started in preschool gymnastics at 3 years old and moved into the competive stream since 5 years old as a part of the International Development Programme (IDP) at Christchurch School of Gymnastics.  She won the All-Around STEP 7 Overs National title in 2018 and the vault, bar, beam & floor National title.  After years of training, she competed up to step 9 and represented New Zealand in Hawaii in 2020, winning her division levels in both competitions. Piper transferred to Te Wero gymnastics club in Dec 2019 and retired from gymnastics after COVID.  She continues to be involved at Te Wero, watching the club grow and change over the years. Now studying game development at the University of Canterbury, Piper aims to be a coach who makes gymnasts feel safe, supported, and excited to train.

2 years coaching experience

Niamh is an ex-gymnast, originally from Franklin Gymsports (North Island), and competed nationally to STEP 7, and only retired due to injury.  She is a national STEP 7 vault champion and of course, loves coaching vault.  She has coached extensively for 2 years and joins Te Wero Gymnastics in 2024.  Niamh is in her 2nd year of studying at University of Canterbury for a BA Sport Coaching (double major with Sport Science) and is pursuing a Masters of Sport Science.

"My love for the sport motivated me to become a coach, I was no longer able to show my passion and love for the sport by competing, so decided the best way for me to express this was to help other gymnasts achieve their dreams and put a smile on their faces".

• Hazel Hall                  • Alex Krakowiak                      • Alisa Wada                    • Tomomi McDonad                 • Faye Hall