Our Coaches

Charlene Knudsen

Charlene is the president and co-founder of Markham Gymnastics Club, which is in its 28th year of operation. She has an honours degree in physical education and psychology. She is a certified level 4 coach. As well as having coached for many years at Markham Gymnastics Club, she has 6 years experience teaching physical and health education in private schools in the Richmond Hill and Markham areas.

Charlene has coached several Ontario teams into international competition, and was coach of the 1992 National Open Champion. Her philosophy is to develop future strong, self-confident leaders and to challenge every child to be the best they can be.

Under Charlene's leadership, every child matters at the Markham Gymnastics Club. All are treated equally with respect and care. She feels that gymnastics is the basis for all sport and should be taught to all children for physical preparation . There are tremendous cross-training benefits to all sports.

Paul Knudsen

Paul is a fully certified level 2 coach in gymnastics and trampoline. He is co-founder of Markham Gymnastics Club, as well as Brampton Gym, Steeles West Gym and Skyriders Trampoline Place. He has been the business manager for the Markham Gymnastics Club for 28 years.

Paul has coached various levels of gymnastics classes, and his students all enjoy the rewarding learning environment that he provides - looking forward to each of their classes and the new skills that they can learn and practice under his careful, positive leadership.

Paul feels it is important to provide a safe environment where all children are treated equally with honesty and respect.

Elena Dobrovolsky

Elena, a national level 3 certified coach, has a physical education degree from the Ukraine. She worked at the Republican School of the Olympic Reserve in the Ukraine from 1981 to 1991 as a coach, choreographer and ballet teacher for the gymnastics department. Elena specialized in training the reserve Olympic team of gymnasts, and proved to be a top skill specialist in women's gymnastics. She was involved in the 1980 and 1988 Olympics as well as the 1981 World Championships. Before moving to Canada, she taught gymnastics and choreography in Italy for five years as a National Team coach.

Elena has been with Markham Gymnastics Club since 1999 as a coach of pre-competitive, provincial and national level athletes, as well as a choreographer.

Dragi Stojkovski

Dragi has level 2 qualifications in gymnastics and trampoline, level 3 gymnastics theory and level 1 track and field. He is a graduate of the Seneca College Gymnastics course, and has a B.A. in sociology from York University.

Dragi is the head coach for boys' competitive gymnastics at Markham Gymnastics Club. He is a very experienced coach who has taught at many gyms: Seneca College, York University, Scarborough Olympians Gym Club, Winstars Gymnastics Club, Langstaff Gym Club and now Markham Gymnastics Club.

According to Dragi, gymnastics is the basis of all movement and sports. As a coach he feels fortunate to work with talented gymnasts and help them excel in their chosen sports. He says that coaches should never forget that they are in the gym for the gymnasts, and not the other way around.

Simone Senior

Simone is a certified level 2 coach with plenty of experience as a competitive gymnast at the national level. She competed in five national championships and won the title of Open National Champion in Quebec City - an experience she will never forget.

She has coached at the Markham Gymnatics Club for 16 years, starting as a recreational coach and working her way up to a coach of provincial level athletes.

Simone believes that gymnastics should be a fun and enjoyable sport. At the same time, it is a sport that requires focus and determination. You have to want it to succeed. She feels you should have a positive attitude and never give up. Believe in yourself because anything is possible.

Lisa Bergart

Lisa, a certified level 2 coach in gymnastics and trampoline, has a B.A. in health sciences from York University with a focus on fitness health and wellness. She has also completed the Beginner Judging Course for Gymnastics Ontario, as well as numerous courses in personal training, leadership, and first aid. She trained for ten years in gymnastics, and four years in various areas of dance such as acrobatics, jazz and ballet.

She has worked as a recreational coach and a competitive team coach for over eight years. She also has experience as an educational assistant and tutor in school, as well as a camp director.

Lisa feels that gymnastics provides opportunities for children of all ages and abilities to increase their physical capabilities and enhance their self-esteem in a fun, positive, and supportive environment. Gymnastics teaches speed and strength, balance and flexibility, gross motor development, coordination and spatial orientation, confidence and self-esteem, and mental focus.

Jane Cogan

Jane has her level 2 gymnastics coaching qualifications, as well as certification in Coaching Cheer Fundamentals, Cheer and Dance coaching and Principles and Ethics (NCSSA - The National Council for Spirit and Safety Education), and is a certified Cheerleading coach with the AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators).

Jane has worked at Markham Gymnastics Club for about 4.5 years. At Markham Gymnastics Club, Jane coaches kindergym during the day. In the evening she coaches beginner and intermediate athletes, as well as pre-competitive gymnasts. This year we have added cheerleading at the club and Jane is the head coach for the cheerleading division. She looks forward to this new opportunity. "GO MARKHAM ALL-STARS!"

Jane strives to make gymnastics fun and safe. Her goal is to encourage, instill confidence, trust, discipline and pride in her gymnasts. She loves to watch the smiles on the girls' faces during class - especially when they 'get' that first skill perfected.

Judy Singer

Judy has many qualifications including level 1 in gymnastics, rhythmics, special needs, trampoline, level 2 theory, conductor of NCCP level 1 gymnastics technical, level 1 conductor of preschool certification course and Seneca College gymnastics coaching course. She is a fitness instructor certified in first aid and CPR.

Judy has had 35 years experience in the recreational gymnastics field with a preschool specialty. She is the owner of Gym-Ed Consultants which provides workshops to expose teachers to safe, fun and challenging activities. She teaches phys. ed. and parent and tot classes at daycares, nursery schools, Montessori schools and gym clubs. She developed "Creative Teaching Aids" which are creative dial boards for use in the class and gym. She is also a writing team member of Gymnastics Ontario (Preschool certification manual, Kindergym Cookbook, 200+ Activities for the Classroom, and O.P.H.E.A.'s Moveability Program). She has been a presenter of gymnastics workshops in Ontario, B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.

Judy likes to make gymnastics fun and creative while getting fit and teaching safe methods of gymnastics activities. Her advice to all budding gymnasts: "Have fun!"

Heather Henderson

Heather is a fully certified level 2 women's artistic gymnastics coach. She also has her level 3 coaching theory, level 1 trampoline, and current qualifications in first aid, CPR, and risk management.

She has been a recreational gymnastics coach for ten years and an interclub competitive gymnastics coach for eight years. She has also assisted with provincial and pre-provincial athletes for seven years.

Heather's goal is to assist each athlete to reach their maximum potential through good preparation, and to encourage long-term participation in the sport. She feels that the best results come from hard work and persistance. "Work to improve every day and don't give up!"

Ashley Speed

Ashley has her level 1 qualifications in theory, practical, and trampoline. She trained for many years in gymnastics before specializing in tumbling. She is a world class athlete in power tumbling and has competed very successfully in several international power tumbling meets. In April, 2006 she place 12th in the world at a competition in Belgium, and in August she competed in Germany, ranking 8th in the world.

Ashley has been a recreational gymnastics coach for 3 years, a C.I.T. for 2 years, and has been the power tumbling coach at Markham Gymnastics Club for the last year.

Ashley says that gymnastics is an all-round sport that isn't easy. If you have a talent, use it wisely. Having an athlete succeed is the best achievement a coach can have! Her advice is to try your best and never give up. If you set your mind to achieving a goal, it can happen.

Roya Tavangar

Roya is a certified level 2 coach in women's artistic gymnastics and in trampoline, as well as having her British Coaching Assistance Certificate. She also has a degree in pure mathematics and is qualified to teach mathematics.

Roya trained in gymnastics for most of her childhood. She won many medals in university and national competitions. She started coaching at the age of 14 and also trained and coached for two years in England before she came to Canada.

Roya is dedicated to teaching children, and believes that gymnastics helps children to develop physically - teaching them flexibility, strength and self-confidence. She also believes that gymnastics training helps to develop thinking and decision-making skills.

Jill Samuels

Jill has her Comp. A coaching level certificate. She has been a gymnast for 7 years, a C.I.T. for 2 years. She volunteers as an assistant coach at Markham Gymnastics Club, as well as being a volleyball assistant coach and team member, soccer player and rugby player.

Jill feels you should let kids have as much fun as possible, while still learning the skills they need to achieve for the level in which they are training.

Risa Reisman

Risa is a level 1 gymnastics coach. She also has her level 1 certification in trampoline, and has qualified in first aid and CPR.

She competed in gymnastics for 10 years, most recently at the provincial level. She has been coaching at Markham Gymnastics Club for 3 years.

Risa's philosophy is to have fun while participating and learning new skills. Her advice is to keep trying until you succeed.