About Us

Coach Andrée

Chers parents,
Merci d’avoir inscrit votre enfant dans mon cours. Cette année sera ma 13e année à Ortona. J’ai suivi des cours de gymnastique à partir de l’âge de 7 ans jusqu’à 17 ans. J’enseigne des cours depuis 6 ans. Je viens de commencer ma troisième année à l’Université de l’Alberta en sciences générales. Les habiletés que j’ai développées en faisant de la gymnastique m’ont permis d’entreprendre d’autres activités physiques. Par exemple, je suis depuis 3 ans cheerleader pour les Edmonton Eskimos. J’ai aussi compétitionné aux championnats mondiaux de cheerleading en avril 2013.

J’aime beaucoup donner des cours de gymnastique et le faire en français est encore plus agréable pour moi. Je me sens privilégiée de pouvoir offrir un service en français et de redonner à ma communauté francophone.

Admin Alyssa

Coming soon

Coach Anita

For nearly 30 years I have been coaching gymnastics and 27 of those have been at a competitive level. I have coached across Canada and in New York State, Philadelphia and Florida. I have had the privilege of coaching athletes who train at Ortona at National Championships, Elite Canada, Pan Am Games, World Championships and at the 2016 Olympic Games.

I came to Ortona 4 years ago, and the staff and gymnasts have helped me renew my passion for gymnastics. They have helped me to love what I do and do what I love. What could be better?

Gymnastics is like a road trip with many twists and turns. Stay true to your path and you will reach your destination. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Coach Anna

I have been coaching competitive gymnastics for 9 years, 3 years have been at Ortona, and have trained as a competitive gymnast for over 10 years prior. Along with coaching competitive gymnastics, I also coach the French classes offered at Ortona. 

Coaching for me is fun because it keeps me in the sport and much of what I learned as an athlete can transfer into my teachings.  Learning about my kids and their character throughout the year is also a real pleasure to observe every day in the gym.  Can’t wait for another great year!

Coach Bailey

Thank you for joining my class, and I am excited to meet you all. I am a recreational coach with NCCP Special Olympics training and experience working with athletes that have physical and/or mental exceptionalities.

I am also a third year student at the University of Alberta: Bachelor of Elementary Education program. Gymnastics is so important because it is the best fundamental base for all development of any athlete, plus it is so much fun!

 My favorite part of gymnastics is the athletes’ passion and success. They are truly inspiring.

Coach Barb

I am pleased to welcome your child to my class.

Understanding the importance of developing a child’s motor skills through activity is what first drew me to gymnastics. Through over 8 years of preschool coaching in gymnastics, I have enjoyed watching children progress from one program to the next; their energy and excitement to learn more progresses with them. Coaching is a wonderful experience. The small details, like facial expressions, laughter and enthusiasm, keep me specializing in the preschool classes.

The training and professional development that I have received within the gymnastics community has allowed me to develop the technical skills necessary in becoming a coach. I truly love this sport!  

Coach Brandon

I have been involved in the sport of gymnastics for 26 years. I started when I was 3 and competed until I retired at the age of 29. During this time, I was a member of the Canadian National Team, attended 5 World Championships and the 2008 Olympic Games.

My specialties are the floor, vault and parallel bars, and I won numerous international medals and many national championships.

I have coached for many years throughout my career, and I enjoy using my experiences to help teach kids the sport I love. My main goals are to ensure your child has fun, pushes their limits and learns valuable life skills that extend beyond gymnastics.

Coach Brittany

I want to thank you for being a part of my class. Recreational gymnastics has always been a core component of my life. The positive experiences I had are what inspired me to become a coach.  

I love the challenges that come with gymnastics and believe that every class should be balanced with fun activities, so the gymnast feels motivated and keeps coming back to learn.  

The best part of coaching is seeing the smile on your child’s face when they finally understand a skill they have been working so hard on. These moments of success are what make coaching worthwhile.

Coach Brooklyn

I am a former provincial level artistic athlete, and have been coaching for the past six years. My coaching knowledge is augmented by two years of Level 6 University Co-Ed cheerleading, and nine years of experience judging women’s artistic gymnastics. I have a special place in my heart for Ortona’s Aerials and Team Prep groups, as I started training for competitions at an older age myself after being part of a recreational program.

My favourite part of coaching is seeing an athlete gain confidence after working so hard to master a new skill; it’s extremely rewarding to see the athletes leave the session stronger than when they started. I look forward to helping your child reach their goals!

Coach Callum

I have been at Ortona since 2005. I started as an athlete and then moved into coaching in 2011. For the last few years I have been coaching both recreational and developmental classes. Though I have been coaching for a while, I am still a national level athlete.

I love gymnastics because it’s one sport that has no limit to the skills you can learn, they just get harder and cooler as you advance. Coaching has given me a new perspective on the sport as I now get to watch the young kids I coach advance and learn newer and cooler skills, and that is just as much of an accomplishment to me as learning a new skill myself.  Looking forward to this year!

Coach Carla

Coming soon

Coach Celine

I grew up with gymnastics in my life and have now been coaching for ten years, and I really love helping kids get into the sport through recreational programs.  Thank you for joining my class so I can share how great gymnastics is with you.  It is important for me that you have fun while learning new skills, like I did when I was a kid.  I want every athlete to go home with a smile on their face and something new to show off. I hope you are looking forward to the new session as much as I am.  See you in class!

Admin Chris 

I originally trained and coached at Red Deer Exelta Gymnastics. The participation in the sport influenced long-term benefits for me such as continually staying healthy and active, increased motor control and coordination, and cognitive functioning. I not only want the children to excel in the sport but also appreciate the other benefits that this strong-disciplined sport has to offer.

I look forward to meeting you all, welcome to Ortona!

Coach Daniel

Coming soon

Admin Diana

I began at OGC in the winter of 2015 as a Customer Service Representative (CSR). I assisted our patrons at the front desk, and performed a wide variety of clerical office duties as well. This past summer I was recently promoted to Bookings and Special Projects Administrator.  I have been successfully organizing Field Trips to OGC since December 2015. As well, I am responsible for OGC’s 40th Anniversary Social Media Project for the last year, and other special projects presented to me by the executive director.

I enjoy a challenge and being creative. I really enjoy working at OGC and all those I work with.

Coach Elaine

Coming Soon

Thank you for joining me in my class! In my earlier years, I was a recreational gymnast myself. I have moved on to now coaching gymnastics, as I have found it to be an essential component of my life. I had so much fun here at Ortona, and I want to make sure that everyone has the chance to experience it in this light and find it as rewarding as I did. When learning is made fun and enjoyable, athletes will want to keep learning. Not only will they learn gymnastics, they may also pick up some life skills such as determination and dedication. The excitement that the gymnasts get when they finally master the new skill helps to make this all worthwhile.

I look forward to seeing you in the upcoming session!

Admin Gabrielle

Welcome to a new session at Ortona!

I’m Gabe, and I’ve coached at Ortona since 2011. These days I am mostly involved with our developmental and competitive athletes and parents helping them out with all of their TEAM questions. I am excited about the 2016-2017 year!

I started at Ortona when I was 6 years old and have been a competitive athlete for 11 years. While I was a gymnast, I travelled the world representing Ortona and Team Alberta. At 14 I began coaching recreational classes, and now I coach developmental and competitive athletes.  

I enjoy athletes who work towards meeting their athletic goals; it is a joy to see these goals fulfilled. When I end a class, high-fives and hugs make the kids feel positive. I also want to know how they felt about the day’s training, so I can make the next day even better.  

I hope that all the athletes come into Ortona ready to work and have fun. See you all soon!

 Admin Ian

Coming Soon

Admin Jill

I began my 19 year journey with Ortona in recreational gymnastics. This journey has allowed me to gain knowledge, develop relationships and enable my personal growth in the understanding of the sport of gymnastics as both athlete and coach.

My background in the sport, my understanding of the Ortona culture and my secondary education form the foundation that has given me the confidence to deliver the objectives and goals as Ortona’s Technical Gymnastics Programs Director.

Some highlights of my journey to date with Ortona:

• Recreational gymnast recruited to the competitive stream
• Competed at a National Level as an artistic gymnast
• Participated in the Coach in Training program beginning at the age of 13
• Recreational coaching specializing in badge class delivery
• Coaching career developed in both developmental and competitive streams
• Major event planning – Pop the Bubble invitational and National Stream Cup competitions
• Completing my university degrees in Education and Phys Ed while working at Ortona
• Today a management appointment to lead our programs

I look forward to working with our coaches, to continue delivering programs that keep you and your child(ren) interested and excited about gymnastics at Ortona.s.

Coach Julia 

I’m Julia and I want to thank you for enrolling in my class! I have been at Ortona since 2004 as a recreational athlete, a competitive athlete, and now a coach! I started coaching in 2011 while I was still training to further get involved in the sport I love. One of my favourite things about coaching gymnastics is helping athletes achieve their goals, whether it be getting past a fear or moving to the next level, and watching them grow as athletes.

I’m looking forward to this year and hope you are too!

I am so excited for you to be joining my class this session! I am new to Ortona this year but definitely not new to gymnastics. I competed in gymnastics for twelve years and I have coached for 5 years. I am also currently one year away from finishing my elementary education degree and I will soon be a teacher.

My love for gymnastics combined with my love for teaching children makes this the most rewarding job. My goal as a coach is to help each child reach their maximum potential in the time we have together, all while having fun. I look forward to meeting you.

Coach Keltie

For 14 years I have been a coach here at Ortona. I first started working here part-time while in school, but the more I coached, worked with the families and learned new skills, the more I realized that this was where I wanted to start a career.

My favourite level to coach is girl’s developmental gymnastics. Coaching at Ortona has taught me so many new skills, allowed me to meet amazing people and given me the opportunity to travel.

The best part of coaching is seeing my developmental athletes’ years later, still competing in gymnastics. I love music, and you might just catch me singing and dancing while I coach. It’s going to be a great year.

Hi I’m Kim, I’ve been working at Ortona for a year and a half. I am currently a Customer Service Representative and just started helping with contracts for our TEAM athletes. I enjoy working at Ortona and building relationships with all of our great customers. I came into this position with no gymnastics experience, but I have been so lucky to have the opportunity to work with so many talented gymnasts and coaches who help me grow in the gymnastics community.

I’m looking forward to working with all of you in the 2016/17 year!

I have been coaching at Ortona since 2003, first as an assistant coach and then as a certified coach. I was involved in starting Ortona’s Trampoline and Tumbling program, and I coached the very first T&T developmental group.

I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in the Honors Molecular Genetics program and I am now working on my Ph.D., researching the genetics involved in brain development in embryonic zebrafish.

I believe that gymnastics is an incredible sport that has countless benefits for all who participate, regardless of their age or level. I am proud to be a coach, and I look forward to helping all my athletes achieve their goals and enjoy lifelong fitness.

I’ve been involved in gymnastics for 15 years: competing, volunteering and coaching. I love the sense of community gymnastics builds between coaches, families and athletes. I enjoy encouraging kids to try new things and improve their skills. Gymnastics is a great way to learn perseverance and patience. I like seeing everyone turning up and having a go. Gymnastics has had such a positive impact on my life and I like sharing that with others through coaching.

I look forward to working with you this session!

Coach Madi

I am Madi and I am so excited to be coaching here at Ortona. I have been coaching gymnastics for 6 years and I absolutely love it. I previously was a competitive gymnast and fell in love with the sport at a very young age. Throughout my years as an athlete and a coach I have been able to learn so much through the sport such as team building and finding a lot of confidence.

I look forward to my future endeavors at Ortona!

I have been coaching gymnastics for over 10 years, and this experience is complimented by my 14 years of training as a competitive gymnast cumulating with National level status.

I truly enjoy working with the athletes and helping them reach their goals. It makes my day when a gymnast turns to me at the end of training and says “I had such a good day!” 

Ortona’s Tiny Tumblers is one of my favourite groups. The energy and determination to succeed makes this lively class great to coach. I learn something new about the gymnasts every day.

I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces this session and welcome everyone to the program.

I have been coaching for over 12 years and previous to that I was a provincial level artistic gymnastics athlete. My favorite part about being a coach is seeing the mutual love of the sport of gymnastics that I share with my athletes. I have experience coaching everything from Parent & Tot, Kindergym, CanGym recreational and competitive, as well as Adult classes.

One of the reasons I love gymnastics is because this sport is always changing. There is always something new to learn.

I look forward to working with all of the athletes at Ortona ages 18 months to 88 years!

 Coach Sasha

I have been in gymnastics for seventeen years; ten of which were at Ortona. My favourite event in gymnastics is pommel horse, and I have ranked nationally several times on this apparatus. I have been on the National team for eight years, and have been able to use my own experience to better coach young athletes. I started in the CIT program six years ago, and have worked my way to becoming an NCCP trained coach. My favourite thing as a coach is to see everyone smiling and having fun doing gymnastics.

I love seeing everyone’s excitement and enthusiasm towards the sport!

Coach Serena

I have been at Ortona for almost two years, but I’ve been involved in many different sports my whole life. I believe a healthy, active lifestyle starts at an early age which is one of the many reasons I started coaching. The best part of coaching is being able to make a difference in their lives and teaching them lifelong skills. I love coaching recreational gymnastics and believe that every class should be a balance of fun and learning. This allows the gymnast to feel successful, enjoy their time with us, and look forward to coming back!

Thank you to all of those who I’ve had the pleasure of coaching, and I look forward to meeting all future Ortona athletes!

 Admin Sharon

I have been at Ortona since February 2014 as a customer service representative. I enjoy meeting and getting to know the gymnasts of all ages, competitive and recreational. Fitness and physical activity have always been a big part of my life.

 Coach Stephanie

Coming soon

Thank you for being a part of the Trampoline and Tumbling Program at Ortona! I am a former National level trampoline and tumbling athlete and have been a part of Ortona’s coaching staff for the past 5 years. I use the experience I have gained as an athlete to help my own athletes discover spatial awareness and find their own success in this sport.

As a coach, I enjoy kids who come to training and share their day with me. My favourite part of coaching is helping an athlete achieve a new skill, trick or routine that they have been working towards. Thank you for joining us and I am excited for the coming year with you!

 Coach Trina

I was a competitive gymnast when I was younger and coached gymnastics throughout my teen years and early twenties. I came back to coaching when my oldest child started taking parent and tot classes at Ortona.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed teaching new skills to toddlers and how their faces light up when they figure out how to do a new skill, no matter how basic it may seem. The energy your children bring to their classes is what makes every class a new adventure!
I hope all of you have a wonderful season here at Ortona Gymnastics Club.

For over 25 years I have been coaching gymnastics. I’ve had the opportunity to coach across the globe including my home country of China, and Mexico, Ontario and now here at Ortona.

My athletes have experienced success on many different levels and in several countries. Regardless of where I coach, hard work, determination and technique are important aspects of any athlete’s success. 

As a coach at Ortona, I am committed to my athletes and offer them my experience and knowledge, so they can achieve all of their gymnastics goals. I look forward to being your coach.