High Performance Staff
Jessica Mason
High Performance Manager
Jess Mason
Competitive Coaching Staff
John Hart
Head Coach
John Hart
Gymnastics History: As a gymnast I started when I was 8 years old at BTYC and competed up to Level 7! As a coach I have been privileged to coach gymnasts that have represented Australia at the last 5 Olympics, 11 World Championships and medalled at the last four Commonwealth Games. I was honoured to be added to the Gymnastics Australia 'Hall of Fame' in 2024.
Accreditation: FIG Level 3 Brevet Coaching Accreditation
Extra Qualifications: Awarded Honorary Coaches Diploma by the Federation of International Gymnastics, Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Coaching and Administration at Deakin University
Fun Fact: I love to skateboard and water ski!
Coaching Philosophy: My goal is to empower gymnasts to reach their potential whilst creating a positive and supportive environment for them to achieve.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: That it challenges what the human body is capable of!
Favourite Coaching Moment: Helping a gymnast learn a new skill and seeing then achieve it for the first time!
Favourite Apparatus: Vault
Yusuf Topari
Yusuf Topari
Gymnastics History: A New Zealand National team member until 2005. Became GNSW High Performance Manager from 2013 - January 2023. An Australian Team Coach for numerous International events including World Cups, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympic Games.
Accreditation: High Performance Accreditation (MAG and WAG)
Extra Qualifications: First Aid Certificate. Business Management. Certificate 3 and 4 Personal Training. Elite Athlete Development.
Fun Fact: I hate olives.
Coaching Philosophy: Work as a team to create a motivating and positive environment whilst always aiming for excellence.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: It's merging of art and sport
Favourite Coaching Moment: Every time one of my gymnasts learns a new skill
Favourite Apparatus: Beam and Bars
Candice Visser
Candice Visser
Gymnastics History: Senior Olympic Gymnast. Competed at 3 World Championships and 2006 Commonwealth Games. Medallist on vault at Commonwealth Games 2004.
Accreditation: FIG 3 coach
Extra Qualifications: First Aid and South African National judge
Fun Fact: Love 80's music and rollercoaster rides
Coaching Philosophy: I strive for excellence in all aspects of gymnastics but my main goal is making sure all gymnasts reach their full potential in a safe, fun and inclusive environment.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: The discipline it teaches you
Favourite Coaching Moment: Don't have a specific one. Favourite moments would be watching gymnasts achieve goals.
Favourite Apparatus: Vault
Grace Yang
Grace Yang
Gymnastics History: I was originally a dancer at Hebei Art School, Beijing Dance Academy, and China National Dance Team. I have been teaching ballet classes at all levels of competitive gymnastics in Australia since 1996.
Extra Qualifications: Ballet Teacher
Fun Fact: Favourite type of dance is free dance!
Coaching Philosophy: To cultivate and help children of different ages to realize their competitive gymnastics dreams according to their different characteristics, and show their confidence and strength in a beautiful posture.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: The artistry
Favourite Coaching Moment: Working with children to show their show their confidence and strength.
Favourite Apparatus: Floor and Beam
Jessica Haintz
Jessica Haintz
Gymnastics History: Trained and competed at Ballarat as a young gymnast myself.
Accreditation: FIG 3
Extra Qualifications: FIG 2 Judging, First Aid & CPR, Bachelor of Laws (honours), Bachelor of Forensic Science (honours).
Fun Fact: My two favourite places are the beach and the snow
Coaching Philosophy: To provide a safe and positive athlete-centred environment that empowers athletes to develop life skills through the sport of gymnastics.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: It challenges you to push yourself out of your comfort zone
Favourite Coaching Moment: Seeing the girls achieve their goals
Favourite Apparatus: Vault
Jessica Latimer
Jessica Latimer
Gymnastics History: I started gymnastics at the age of 5, reaching and training competitive levels and I stopped in 2020 during Covid.
Accreditation: Advanced WAG
Extra Qualifications: Intermediate Judging qualification. CPR + First Aid
Fun Fact: I still love doing gymnastics myself, where I partake in adult gymnastic classes!
Coaching Philosophy: I strongly believe in that, having a positive mindset will not only help you excel in gymnastics but will also set you up for success in life
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: That there is always something to work hard towards, both as being a gymnast and as a coach!
Favourite Apparatus: Beam and Bars
Nicole De Sensi
Nicole De Sensi
Gymnastics History: Started gymnastics at Frankston City Gymnast ics in 1988. National Level 8 Victorian State Team 1993, National Level 9 and 10 ACT State Team 1994-1997. Started tumbling at WGC in 1999. 17+ National Champion in 2002. Started coaching at Canberra City Gymnastics Club in 1996. Moved to WGC in 1999. Was Victorian Level 7 Team Coach in 2003. Had a break from gymnastics from 2014 and returned to Waverley in 2021.
Accreditation: Advanced
Extra Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement), Bachelor of Applied Science (Nutrition and Dietetics).
Fun Fact: I love chocolate!
Coaching Philosophy: You get out what you put in. Hard work, quality and consistency.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: The incredible life long bonds made between team mates when you work so hard and spend so many hours together.
Favourite Coaching Moment: Seeing any gymnast get their first kip.
Favourite Apparatus: Floor
Qinghua Yang
Qinghua Yang
Gymnastics History: I have been coaching more than 30 years in Australia!
Accreditation: FIG Level 3, HP
Fun Fact: I play Golf
Coaching Philosophy: Constantly research new training improvement methods, such as technology, injury and other aspects, in order to solve the problems existing in training.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: The technical quality
Favourite Coaching Moment: Coaching giants on bars!
Favourite Apparatus: Bars and Vault
Britt Henry
Britt Henry
Gymnastics History: I was a gymnast as a child and have been coaching now for 15 years!
Accreditation: Advanced WAG Coach
Extra Qualifications: Advanced WAG Judge
Fun Fact: I have a young daughters who love gymnastics too!
Coaching Philosophy: I aim to help every gymnast love the sport as much as I do!
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: Seeing hard work pay off!
Favourite Coaching Moment: I have a new one every day!
Favourite Apparatus: Bars
Kayla Helmich
Kayla Helmich
Gymnastics History: I used to do gymnastics for 10yrs, started at the age of 3 and finishing at the age of 13. When moving back to Australia at the age of 5yrs I attended classes for 2-3years at the Waverley Campus.
Accreditation: Intermediate
Extra Qualifications: First Aid CPR and beginner judging
Fun Fact: my first spoken language was German
Why I Became a Coach: I became a coach because I have a love for gymnastics, and assisting the younger children made me build my confidence in many ways as well watching young children have the excitement when accomplishing a skill/goal
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: The adrenaline
Favourite Coaching Moment: Watching your gymnast succeed and persevere
Favourite Apparatus: Bars
Stacey Bull
Stacey Bull
Gymnastics History: I begun gymnastics when I was 5 and fell in love with the sport instantly. I then begun coaching when I was 15 and have been coaching competitive gymnastics for the last 10 years. I have coached in many programs at different gyms.
Accreditation: Advanced
Extra Qualifications: First aid, Bachelor of Education
Fun Fact: I used to be a volunteer firefighter
Coaching Philosophy: I believe that as coaches we are here to not only help children develop the skills needed for gymnastics but to teach them life skills that they will be able to use beyond gymnastics.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: The thing I love most about gymnastics is seeing each and every kid grow to achieve their goals. It doesn’t matter what how big or small their goal is I love seeing the moment they are able to achieve it and how proud they feel.
Favourite Coaching Moment: There is so many to choose from as I love any moment I see a child achieve their goals, but a stand out is when a level 4 team I was coaching won Victorian Championships for their age group and division.
Favourite Apparatus: Bars
Victoria Whitehead
Victoria Whitehead
Gymnastics History: I achieved Level 10 as a young gymnast myself!
Accreditation: Gymnastics Australia High Performance
Extra Qualifications: FIG Level 3 judge and First Aid certified
Fun Fact: I achieved Level 10 at Waverley Gymnastics Club!
Coaching Philosophy: My goal as a coach is to help every athlete develop to their fullest potential physically, mentally, and emotionally, while fostering a genuine love for gymnastics. I strive to create a positive, supportive environment where athletes not only achieve their skills but also enjoy the journey, build resilience, and develop perseverance that extends beyond the gym.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: I have a strong passion for teaching bars and take pride in helping young athletes build solid foundations for the future.
Favourite Coaching Moment: While I don’t have one standout moment, my favorite part of coaching is witnessing athletes grow into their full potential and knowing I’ve played a meaningful role in helping them progress toward their goals.
Favourite Apparatus: Bars!!!
Paige Marsden
Paige Marsden
Gymnastics History: I was a competitive gymnast for 13 years. I began coaching at 19 while in university and never left. I have attended the Leverkusen Cup (2019) and Memorial Laza Krstic and Marica Dzelatovic (2024) as club coach and judge and was selected as a Team Coach for South Africa for the 2024 World Challenge Cup in Hungary! Waverley is my second gymnastic club to be a part of as I was a part of JGC Gymnastics Club in Johannesburg for 23 years!
Accreditation: Advanced Silver & FIG 1
Extra Qualifications: First Aid Level 2, BA Law Degree from South Africa, National Level 3 Judge in South Africa.
Fun Fact: I have Protea Colours (National Colours) for Cheerleading in South Africa!
Coaching Philosophy: Creating a supportive and enjoyable environment where gymnasts can build confidence, strive for excellence, and develop a lifelong love of the sport.
My Favourite Thing About Gymnastics: How complex it is . It merges artistry, power, endurance, flexibility, discipline and teamwork together.
Favourite Coaching Moment: Experiencing the joy of a gymnast achieving a new skill.
Favourite Apparatus: Bars!
Support Services and Sports Medicine Team
Jenni Candler
Lead Physiotherapist
Jenni Candler
Brett Robertson
Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach
Brett Robertson
Fiona Jacobs
Physiotherapist
Fiona Jacobs
Marlize Wessels
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Marlize Wessels
David Madigan
Myotherapist and VIS