Coaches

Artistic Gymnastics- Alex Pozdniakov

Alex is Russian born and holds a Master of Sports. His International achievements include coaching Evgeny Podgorny, a Gold Medalist in the Teams Competition at the 1996 Olympic Games. Since coming to New Zealand in 1997 Alex has coached several New Zealand Champions.

Artistic Gymnastics- Aliona Polozkova

Aliona represented Belarus at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games and was the National Belarussian Senior Elite Champion throughout this period. She has a vault named after her and also holds a Masters of Sports. Aliona has coached in the USA and Belarus and holds tertiary qualifications in gymnastics coaching. She immigrated to New Zealand in 2006 and is already making an enormous difference to our programmes.

Links to more information about Aliona's gymnastic career:

http://www.shanfan.com/bios/polozkovabio.html
http://www.gymn-forum.com/bios/women/polozkova.html

Rhythmic Gymnastics - Galina Safronova

Galina has been coaching for 30 years, she has a Bachelor of Physical Ed and in addition holds the highest qualification level possible in Russia in rhythmic gymnastics a "Master of Sport".

Some of her recent successful gymnasts include:

Daria Shkurikhina, member of the Russian Group who won the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2007 World Championships

Diana Makhanova, Junior Champion at the Tabea Cup, Halle, Germany 28 - 30 March 2008

* Maria Frencel, member of the Russian Junior Group who won the European Championships in 2001

Galina is also a Brevet judge. She has come to NZ because she is enthusiastic about making an impact in a new country, she is really keen to pass on her knowledge and experience and determined to help us strategise to raise the standard in NZ. She is really excited about the potential for success that she sees here and wants to make the most of it.

Rhythmic Gymnastics- Kathryn Holdsworth (nee Hughes)

Kathryn is a level 2 Qualified coach who was previously a top performing rhythmic gymnast representing New Zealand at Worlds from 1986 - 1992. During this time she won the Australian Nationals and also finished 5th overall at the Seiko Cup behind the gymnasts from Russia , Bulgaria and the other dominant countries.

Trampolining - Kim Cooper

Kim has kindly taken over the competitive squad until the end of February when we are hoping to appoint a new Head Coach. She has been trampolining for several years, she was one of Olympia's very first trampoline athletes and is an excellent coach. She is very good at encouraging the athletes and runs an efficient operation. We are very greatful to her filling the gap and are hopeful we will be able to find a new coach soon.