With generous support from Ontario Trillium Foundation

With generous support from the Town Of Oakville



Copyright Oakville Gymnastics Club 2005
Kelly Manjak - Director, Women’s Competitive 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
image of coach
divider
Greg Jackson - Director, Men's Competitive 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
image of coach
divider
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
Awards:
image of coach
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
image of coach
divider
Sue Manjak – Women’s Competitive 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.
image of coach
divider
Lorne Bobkin - Women’s Competitive 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
image of coach
Alexandra Barac -- Women's Competitive 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 place 2nd at American Team Cup (International competition)
  • Recreational and competitive coach for 2 years( Gym Magic, Burlington)
image of coach
divider
Irene Kis– Women’s Competitive 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
image of coach
divider
Dave Harris – Men’s Competitive Program & Tumbling Competitive 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