Coaching Team

All of our Coaching Team are currently NZ First Aid Qualified; GSNZ Accreditated Coaches.We look forward to you coming to visit Te Wero Gymnastics - where we endeavour to provide quality coaching, individual pathways, coach development, with New Zealand's leading accredited International Gymnastics Coaching Team - Jozsi & Svetlana.

Svetlana Sazonova
WAG Head Coach

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

Philosophy & Vision - Why do you enjoy coaching @ Te Wero? “Because of the positive atmosphere and people around”
Philosophy – “Through hard work to bring out the beauty of gymnastics"

Kyleab Ellis
WAG Junior Development Co-ordinator & STEPS 4-7 Co

Gymnastics Coach WAG Senior (FIG Level 2)

MAG FIG Brevet IV Judge (International)

10 years coaching experience

Kyleab has had a lifetime of living and breathing gymnastics.  As an ex-gymnast, he qualified for the 2018 Commonwealth Games MAG team, has competed in two World Championships and many other international competitions and was a member of the New Zealand MAG National Team for for years before his retirement.  

As a coach, he arrived at Te Wero in August 2019 after coaching for 6 years at Tri Star Gymnastics in Auckland and has led our junior WAG development squads to great success, including Canterbury Champions and NZ National Champions.  He is currently our Pre-School and Junior WAG lead coordinator.

Emma Green
WAG Junior Development & STEPS 2-6 Coach

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning

Gymnastics Coach WAG Junior Advanced

9 years coaching experience

Kia Ora my name is Emma Green and I can be found coaching our competitive girls across Steps 1-6. I have a strong passion for working alongside tamariki to help them grow and develop into not only great gymnasts, but amazing individuals.

I believe that for young children’s learning and development to be enhanced, there needs to be a strong focus on whanaungatanga and caring relationships.

I am most proud when I see each of my athletes happy and achieve success, whatever that may look like for them.

Rere atu, rere mai taku manu e, Rere ki tua, rere ki ko. Kia whetutangitia e. Fly my bird, in every direction. Attain the countless stars.

Issabella Robin
WAG Coach & STEPS Precomp-5 Coach

Gymnastics Coach WAG Elementary

5 years coaching experience

Issabella is our newest addition hailing from another Christchurch gymnastics club.  She is an ex-gymnast, also 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."

Nisha Tilyard
Regional Competitive Coach

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.