Melissa (Head of Gymnastics)

I have had many years of experience in gymnastics coaching and coach mentoring.  As a gymnast I competed and performed at competitions and festivals all over the UK.  My love for coaching started as a young teenager when I started helping with Pre-School classes within my club - from there, I went on to take my coaching qualifications and spent many years developing my coaching skills and helping others to develop theirs.  I am very excited to bring all of this experience to my role at LAGAD and ensure we continue to offer exciting, progressive and fun gymnastics provision to all our participants.

Iuliana (Advanced Gymnastics)

Iuliana was a double Silver medallist of Europe in 2002 (Romanian National team and on Vault). She has several other national and international awards and medals. Iuliana started Gymnastics in Nadia Comaneci’s birth City Onesti. She was coached by Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang.

Iuliana has a degree in Physical Education and has been teaching Gymnastics in London for 7 years. She holds a senior club coach Level 3 qualification, Pre-school and Judging qualifications.

Dalia

Dalia is from Lithuania and is a qualified British Gymnastics Level 4 Senior Coach in Women's Artistic Gymnastics. She has been five times National Champion in this discipline. 

Dalia has been teaching gymnastics in the UK for eleven years. She successfully prepared school teams to compete in Interschool Primary School Competitions. Dalia has a degree in Physical Education and is a qualified PE teacher. She also works as a Pilates Instructor.

Elena

Elena is originally from Romania and holds a Level 4 certificate in Gymnastics Coaching. 

She has worked as a gymnastics coach, both in her home country and in the UK, as well as a kindergarten and school PE teacher.  

Marlon

Marlon is from Sri Lanka and is a qualified lead coach. He has taken part in many Junior National and National competitions and holds a British Gymnastics Level 2 qualification.

Marlon worked as a gymnastics coach in several schools and was a freelance coach for 2 years. He also did acrobatics and theatre work.

“It's so rewarding to see even the smallest progression in a child's confidence and ability. No two gymnasts are alike, that's important to remember with the younger age groups. ''

Rafael

Rafael trained in Criciùma, Brazil. His gymnastics training started with the Apagro company, where he learnt artistic gymnastics and competed regionally. 

Rafael graduated with a BSc in Physical Education. He is also a trained dancer and has travelled extensively to attend masterclasses and workshops. He has competed in breakdance and hip hop battles and performed in several events in both Brazil and the UK.

Rafael moved to London in 2015 and is a Level 2 Lead Gymnastics coach. He has been teaching Gymnastics and Dance for over 6 years. 

Victoria

Victoria is from Brazil and is a qualified British Gymnastics Level 3 lead coach. She competed at state, national and international level in her home country in Artistic, Rhythmic and Aerobic Gymnastics. Her achievements include State Champion in Artistic Gymnastics and 4th place in both the National and Pan American competitions. 

Victoria also worked as a coach in Brazil, leading her team to 2nd place nationally and training two gymnasts to achieve Champion and Second place for three years running. Her coaching focus is to '' give all my new gymnasts the very best they deserve.''

Jessica

Qualified Ballet Teacher & Gymnastics Coach.

Trained at the Arts Educational School & Harrow Gymnastics Club followed by a teaching degree at the Royal Ballet School. Winner of the Ursula Morton Choreographic Competition. Danced professionally in the USA & Europe. A Master’s Degree in Creative Arts in Therapy was followed by 5 years work in the NHS. Jessica was founding manager of Dance UK’s Healthier Dance Programme and professional panellist for the Society of London Theatre ‘Laurence Olivier Awards’.

Jessica started LAGAD in 2009. 

Hobbies: Swimming, Beekeeping and Eating Black Chocolate!