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Ontario Trillium Foundation

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Kelly Manjak - Director, Women’s Artistic Program, Co-Head Coach
Kelly joined OGC in 2005 and coaches with his wife Sue.  He has 20 years of coaching experience and has attained the status of becoming the first Canadian Coach to produce an athlete who attained an Olympic Gold medal in gymnastics.  Kelly is not the stereotypical hard-pushing coach. He believes that every gymnast should take their own path in the sport.  Kelly’s attributes of being a planner and a goal-setter are allowing him to create a strong Women’s Artistic program here at the Oakville Gymnastics Club.  
Coaching certification:
  • Coach of Kyle Shewfelt, Gold Medalist on Floor, 2004 Olympic Games
  • Women’s Artistic Gymnastics – FIG Brevet Coach
Experience:
  • Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – Level 4
  • Women’s Artistic Gymnastics – FIG Brevet Coach
  • Men's Head Coach, Altadore Gymnastics Club (1989 - 2004)
  • Men's National Team Coach (1996 - 2004)
  • Olympic Team Coach (2000 & 2004)
  • Commonwealth Games Team Coach (2002)
Awards:
  • Gymnastics Canada Coach of the year (2002, 2003 & 2004)
  • Canadian Association of Coaches Jack Donahue Coaching Award 2004
  • Coaching Excellence Awards from Canadian Association of Coaches for the 2003 World Championships and 2004 Olympic Games
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Greg Jackson - Director, Men's Artistic Program, Head Coach
Greg is a graduate of Seneca College’s Advanced Coaching Techniques – Gymnastics Diploma Program and has been coaching gymnastics since 1982.  He has been judging since 1987 and holds a FIG Category II Brevet. Greg is the Chairperson of the Men’s Program Assembly, a member of the Men’s Program Committee and the Judges Sub-committee for Gymnastics Canada. He has been with the Oakville Gymnastics Club since 2001 and, with the help of his assistant coaches, has developed a strong developmental and competitive Men’s artistic program that includes Provincial, Eastern and National Champions as well as several National Team members.
Coaching certification:
  • Men’s gymnastics - Level 4
  • Women’s Gymnastics - Level 2
  • Trampoline - Level 2
  • NCCP Level 2 Men's Course Conductor
Experience:
  • Head Coach OGC Men's Competitive Program 2001-Present
  • Head Coach Sport Seneca Gym Men's Competitive Program 1996-2000
  • Asst Head Coach Ottawa Gym Club Men's Comp Program 1995-1996
  • Head Coach Gymelites de Hull Men's Competitive Program 1993-1995
  • Asst. Coach Sport Seneca Gym Men's Competitive Program 1990-1992
  • Asst. Coach Ottawa Gym Club Men's Competitive Program 1985-1990
  • Head Coach Town of Aylmer Men's Competitive Program 1982-1987
Awards:
  • Gymnastic Canada Silver (10 year) Volunteer Service Pin
  • Gymnastics Ontario Men's Artistic Service Award
  • Government of Ontario 20 Year Volunteer Service Award
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Don Holmes – Director, Tumbling Program, Tumbling Head Coach
Don joined the Oakville Gymnastics Club in 2005 and along with Niki Lavoie has been working to build up a strong Power Tumbling Team. Don began his coaching career in Listowel, Ontario at a small club and then went on to coach in London and Burlington. Don was a National Novice level tumbler for three years competing for the Burlington BG’s then went on to compete as a National level springboard diver for four years with various clubs in the GTA. Don and Niki together have produced numerous national team athletes and Canadian Champions in Power Tumbling. The Oakville Tumbling Program is now the largest tumbling club in Canada and with Don and Niki, who both have experience as Canadian National Team Coaches, the OGC tumblers have great prospects for the future.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 2 Men’s Artistic Gymnastics
  • Partial Level 4 Trampoline
  • Level 2 Springboard Diving Instructor
  • H.B.Sc. Biology and Psychology
Experience:
  • Tumbling Coach at Burlington BG’s 1999 to 2005
  • National Level Power Tumbler
  • National Level Springboard Diver
  • National Team Coach Power Tumbling World Championships 2003
  • National Team Coach Power Tumbling World Games 2005
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Niki Lavoie – Director, Tumbling Program, Tumbling Head Coach
Niki began her career in gymnastics as a Provincial Level Artistic gymnast at the Quinte Bay Gymnastics Club in Belleville. Niki went on to compete for McMaster University while obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has been coaching gymnastics and tumbling for over 15 years. Niki was the Canadian National Team Coach and appointed the Tumbling Advisor to the High Performance Director for Gymnastics Canada in 2005 and 2007. Niki has traveled extensively with the National Team and is a respected leader in the sport of Tumbling. Niki is fully Level 4 Trampoline certified as well she has a diploma in Sports Injury Therapy. Niki is also a licensed Massage Therapist and Acupuncture Therapist. Niki manages the Gleb Abbey Sports Therapy Clinic located within the Oakville Gymnastics Club.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 4 Trampoline
  • Level 3 Women’s Artistic – partial
Experience:
  • Tumbling Coach Burlington BG’s 2000 to 2005
  • Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach/Choreographer Quinte Bay Gymnastics Club 1996 to 2000
  • National Team Coach for Power Tumbling 2005 and 2007 World Championships
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Sue Manjak – Women’s Artistic Program, Co-Head Coach
Sue coaches the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics program along side her husband Kelly.  Together they are creating a strong elite group of high calibre gymnasts.  Sue strives to provide quality programs for all levels while maintaining a fun and fulfilling atmosphere.  Her goal is to help athletes achieve their goals and conquer their fears.  Sue’s Level 4 certification and past experience allow her to deliver this type of a program and is helping the Oakville Gymnastics Club to be come one of the premier women’s gymnastics clubs in Canada.
Coaching certification:
  • Women's Artistic - Level 4
Experience:
  • Women's Provincial & National Team Coach at the Burlington Gymnastics Club 1996 - 2001
  • Sue was a gymnast for 10 years and was the Canadian National Open Champion in 1990.
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Lorne Bobkin - Women’s Artistic Program
Lorne joined the Oakville Gymnastics Club in 2007 and has improved the Women’s artistic gymnastic program by bringing over 20 years of gymnastics experience to the gym. His strong drive for excellence and technical understanding of gymnastics allows him to produce young athletes with excellent gymnastics basics.  As a previous Olympic and Common Wealth Games team member Lorne continues to inspire great gymnastics in the athletes he coaches.  Lorne’s coaching philosophy matches that of the Manjak’s and fits well with Women’s gymnastics program here at the OGC.
Coaching certification:
  • Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – Level 4
Experience:
  • Athlete - 1984 – 1990 Canadian National Team Member
  • 1985 - Attended World Championships - Montreal
  • 1988 - Olympic Games, Seoul, Korea
  • 1989 - Attended World Championships - Germany
  • 1990 – 1998 - Canadian National Team Coach at various gymnastics meets including World Championship, Pacific Alliance and American Cup
  • Awards - Olympic Life time Membership
  • Award with Ontario Gymnastics Federation 2005
  • International Gold Coaching Award from Gymnastics Canada  - 2003
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Alexandra Barac -- Women's Artistic Program
Alexandra coaches Provincial and Developmental girls programs for the OGC Women's Competitive Program. Alexa uses her love and education for gymnastics to inspire and motivate her young girls in a fun and challenging atmosphere.
Coaching certification:
  • Women's Artistic Gymnastics - Level 2
Experience:
  • Member of the Romanian Olympic gymnastics team (1998- 2001)
  • Romanian National champion on beam and vault
  • Member of team that placed 2nd at American Team Cup (International competition)
  • Recreational and competitive coach for 2 years( Gym Magic, Burlington)
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Ashley Sportun – Artistic Women’s Program
Coaching certification:
Experience:
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Irene Kis– Women’s Artistic Program
Irene coaches Developmental and Introductory girl’s gymnastics for the Women’s Competitive program.  Her 11 years of coaching experience allows her to provide her young girls with strong basics and a love for the sport.  Irene was also a competitive Regional and Provincial level gymnast herself.
Coaching certification:
  • Women’s Artistic Gymnastics – Level 2
  • Trampoline – Level 2
Experience:
  • Former Regional & Provincial Level Gymnast
  • Recreational Coach for 2 years, Gymnastics Mississauga
  • Pre-Competitive and Interclub Coach for 8 years, Futures Gymnastics
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Karinda Isaacs – Women’s Artistic Program
Karinda joined the OGC team in 2011, working in both the Women’s Competitive Program and Recreational Program. Having competed and coached in Australia, Karinda brings her knowledge of the sport to Canada where she hopes to pass on her love of gymnastics to future athletes.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 2 Women’s Artistic
  • Level 2 Trampoline
Experience:
  • Recreational Program Director since 2008;
  • Recreational, pre-comp, interclub, and provincial level coach in Canada since 2005;
  • Recreational and competitive coach in Australia since 1996;
  • Member of 1996 Australian Olympic Training Squad;
  • 1994 - Australian National Beam Champion;
  • 1993 – Australian Team member at Junior Pacific Alliance;
  • 1993 – Australian Team member at Nikon International;
  • 1993 – Represented Australia at China Cup.
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Dave Harris – Men’s Artistic Program & Tumbling Program
Dave brings over two decades of coaching experience to the Oakville Gymnastics Club.  Dave presently is one of Canada’s top ranked international Tumbling judges and has attended many World Cup Tumbling competitions over the past several years.  Dave has a keen understanding of what is expected of athletes at the high-performance level and is able to transfer his knowledge to the gymnasts that he coaches.  Dave’s organizational skills and club management background make him an excellent addition to the OGC staff.
Coaching certification:
  • Men’s Artistic Level 3
  • Trampoline – Level 2
  • Women’s Artistic Level 2
  • FIG Level 3 Power Tumbling Judge
Experience:
  • Club Manager & Head Coach North Bay Apollo Gymnastics Club 1996 to 2007
  • National Level Tumbling Judging Course Conductor
  • Judged for Canada at numerous Tumbling World Cup competitions around the world
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Jason Haid – Men’s Artistic Coach
Jason joined the Oakville Gymnastics Club in 2009 and has more than 10 years of coaching experience. His athletes have enjoyed great success at many Provincial and Eastern Canadian Championships. In addition to coaching, Jason has been judging since 2006 and has been an active member of Gymnastics Ontario's Men's Technical Committee since 2007. Jason enjoys working as part of the team at OGC and strives to continue developing strong, confident, and technically sound gymnasts at every level.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 2 Certified Men’s, Women’s and Trampoline;
  • Level 3 Technical Men’s and Trampoline.
Experience:
  • Men’s Competitive Coach, Oakville Gymnastics (2009-Present);
  • Director of Men’s Programs, Kitchener-Waterloo Gymnastics Club (2006-2009);
  • Provincial Level 4 Judge, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics;
  • Provincial Coaching Chairperson, Men’s Technical Committee.
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Ricardo Smith – Men’s Artistic Coach
Ricardo has been a permanent fixture at the OGC for the past 7 years. He started junior coaching early and has been a recreational gymnastics coach for the past three years. Ricardo has coached for both the competitive Tumbling and Men’s Artistic Programs. At this time he works specifically with the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics program coaching Inter Club boys. Ricardo’s love for gymnastics and desire to share his enthusiasm allows him to motivate and inspire his young gymnasts.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 2 Men’s Artistic
  • Level 2 Trampoline
Experience:
  • Provincial and National Level tumbler for 3 years
  • Men’s Artistic Gymnast for 1 year
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Wendy Richardson – Tumbling Competitive Program
Wendy has an extensive background in Power Tumbling. Wendy competed for over 10 years as a tumbler and attended numerous National Championships. Before retiring from tumbling Wendy had reached the highest level she could as a Senior Elite level tumbler. Wendy has years of coaching experience and is motivated to help develop the OGC’s tumblers by providing them with not only technical corrections but a love for the sport.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics
  • Level 2 Trampoline
Experience:
  • Recreational Coach & Supervisor
  • Power Tumbler 1994 – 2005
  • National Age Group Champion 15-16 Girls 2002
  • National Silver Medal Winner Youth Women’s Tumbling 2002
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Amanda George – Developmental Pre-Competitive Tumbling Coach
Amanda has been a coach at the OGC for the past 8 years. Her focus has always been on the tumbling and acrobatic skills as in the past she was an Inter Club Artistic Gymnast and a Provincial Level Power Tumbler at the OGC. Amanda has been working for the OGC Tumbling Program for a year as an Inter Club Tumbling coach. Her energy and expertise provide her young tumblers with the opportunity to learn in a safe environment and develop the skills needed to move on to higher levels of tumbling. Amanda has also been a coach for the Cobra’s Cheerleading Team and is still an All Star Cheerleader herself.
Coaching certification:
  • Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics
  • Level 2 Trampoline
Experience:
  • Recreational Coach Oakville Gymnastics Club 2001 to date
  • Tumbling/Cheerleading Coach Oakville Cobras 2007 to date
  • Pre-Competitive Tumbling Coach OGC 2008 to date
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Jonathan Meehan – Power Tumbling Program Coach
Coaching certification:
Experience:
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