High Performance Staff
Jessica Mason
High Performance Manager
Matt Scholes
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 4 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' this year.
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 and Commonwealth 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
Jessica Haintz
Jessica Haintz
Gymnastics History: Trained and competed at Ballarat
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
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
Kayla Helmich
Kayla Helmich
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
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)
David Madigan
David Madigan
(VIS)