GymSports FNQ Staff:
Club Manager – Karen Magee
Head Coach / Event’s Manager – Alysha Magee
Recreational Coordinator – Brianna Burgess
Accounts Manager and Reception – Nicki Newman
Coaching Team:
Karen Magee following on from studies in Nutrition, Karen started as the Recreational Co-ordinator with Southside Gymnastics and went onto become the Manager of GymSports FNQ in 2012. The growth and development of GymSports FNQ @ South Cairns Gymnastics is largely due to her passion and tireless dedication for supporting children and mentoring coaches in their chosen sport. Karen is the senior programmer for the recreational classes and managers the entire GymSports FNQ staff. She has over 10 years’ experience in coaching Kindergym, LaunchPad programs, Recreational programs, Schools gymnastics, Holiday programs and Foundations Competitive programs. She currently holds the following accreditations:
- WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Kindergym Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- GFA Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- BabyGym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Fitter for Life (Gymnastics Australia)
- LaunchPad Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Trainee Coach Supervisor (Gymnastics Australia)
- Club Coach Educator (Gymnastics Australia)
- Certificate III in Nutrition (Beck Health & Nutrition)
Alysha Magee – retired as a Level 7 gymnast in 2021. Alysha has grown up in the gym and has had 5 years experience as a Competitive Gymnast and 2 years as a Competitive Cheerleader. Alysha has been coaching since she was 14 years old and completed a School-Based Traineeship with GymSports FNQ to gain her Cert III in Sport and Recreation in 2019-2020. Alysha has experience coaching a variety of programs including Kindergym, JuniorGym and WAG Level 1-8. Alysha manages all of club events including Recreational Assessment Days, Competitions and Tumble in the Tropics.
- WAG Advanced Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Tumbling Advanced Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
- MAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
- Kindergym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- BabyGym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
Amy Dowley – trained as a gymnast up to Level 4. Amy has been assistant coaching under Miss Karen since she was 14 years old and has experience coaching a wide variety of our Recreational Programs including our Under 5 Programs (Baby, Gym, MiniGym, Kindergym and JuniorGym) as well as GymFun and GymSkills. Amy also has experience coaching our Foundations Competitive Programs in both WAG & MAG. Amy is currently coaching our MAG Level 1-3 competitive team and mentors our Beginner Coaches..
- WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- MAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Kindergym Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
- Trainee Coach Supervisor (Gymnastics Australia)
- Club Coach Educator (Gymnastics Australia)
Brianna Burgess – is a retired Level 8 gymnast and still impresses us with her amazing skills! Brianna coaches our Under 5 programs and our Emerald Competitive Squad. In 2024 Bri completed her School Based Traineeship with GymSports FNQ to further develop her skills and obtain her Cert III in Sport and Recreation. Brianna has a great eye for detail and is awesome with kids of all ages. Brianna works closely with our Head Coach Alysha, assisting with Programming and Events and applies her learning experiences to her role as our Recreational Coordinator.
* WAG Advanced Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
Mahlinee Ryan – retired as a gymnast at Level 7. Mahlinee began her coaching journey in 2020 assisting in our Recreational Programs. It was quickly recognized that her attention to detail and mannerism with the gymnasts were perfect for competitive gymnastics and she began working with our competitive coaches. Mahlinee has experience coaching in both WAG and MAG and is currently coaching our Pre 3 and Level 3 gymnasts.
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* MAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
Macayla Jones – Retired Level 8 gymnast. Macayla or Maca (as we like to call her) inspires both our gymnasts and coaches with her positive attitude towards our sport. Maca hung up her guards in 2024 and continues to share her love and passion of gymnastics through her coaching. Maca currently coaches our Level 1 gymnasts.
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Intermediate Judge (Gymnastics Australia)
Ki’Ara Solowski – has a strong background in dance, cheer and gymnastics. Ki’Ara joined our coaching team in 2022 and has been quick to develop her coaching skills. Ki’Ara has a great repport with her gymnasts in both Recreational and Competitive. Ki’Ara currently coaches our Development squad, WAG Level 4 and GymSports Level 5-5 gymnasts.
* WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
* WAG Beginner Judge
Caitlyn Brown – has turned to gymnasts coaching after a long career of being a Swimming Coach. Caitlyn has a strong passion for gymnastics and enjoys training herself in on our Adults Class. Caitlyn is currently coaching in our Foundations Competitive Program, GymSports Levels Program and Under 5’s.
- WAG Intermediate Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
Emma Taylor – started gymnastics when she was 6 years old. I have had many achievements through out my career such as Level 3 State Champion, International level 6 state champion, NSW state team international level 6, 3rd place – Aust championships, NSW rep international level 8 – Aust championships. Emma trained at the AIS many times and was coached by Peggy Liddick who was the Aust team national coach at the time. She has trained along side Olympian’s and retired as a Junior International gymnast. Emma has been coaching the last 15 years, and was fortunate enough to then coach along side the coaches who taught her as gymnast.
- WAG Advanced Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
Meet our Fundamental Coaches:
Our Junior coaches are an inspiration to our recreational gymnasts. Junior coaches play a vital role in teaching our young gymnasts strong fundamental skills. These coaches are registered with Gymnastics Australia as Fundamental Coaches and coach across our GymFun, GymSkills and Ninja Programs.
Dearnna Castle – Retired Level 4 gymnast
Meika Twittey – Retired Level 5 gymnast
Indianna Twittey – retired Level 6 gymnast
Benjamin Van Gool – Retired Level 4 gymnast
Ainsley Ross – Current Level 7 gymnast
Toni McQueen – Current Level 8 gymnast
Olivia Doolan – Retired Level 8 gymnast
Meet our Trainee Coaches: Our Trainee coaches are new to coaching and currently in training, they are learning to follow a set lesson plan, keeping to a time schedule and deliver a fun and educational program to our young gymnasts. This is no easy task for anyone and we appreciate your support and understanding as these young coaches learn the importance of managing and teaching a class. They are all currently studying for their Fundamental Coaching Accreditation and coach across our Recreational Programs including GymFun, GymSkills & Ninja Gymnastics.
Dakota Pointon – retired Level 7 gymnast
Ayuri Zalkalns – current Level 5 gymnast
Kaelyn Sinclair – retired Level 5 gymnast
Chloe Guy – retired Level 5 gymnast
