🌟 Trainee Program 🌟
👋 What we do
Our Trainee Program supports young leaders aged 13+ who want to stay involved in gymnastics by learning how to coach, assist sessions, and support club events.
Trainees develop real coaching experience in a structured environment, with opportunities to progress from assisting small groups to leading activities under supervision. Many of our former young leaders have gone on to become coaches both at our club and in other gymnastics clubs across the UK.
We encourage gymnasts to build on the skills they have developed, gain new ones, and stay connected to the sport while understanding the importance of physical activity as part of a long-term healthy lifestyle. The programme also provides mentoring and opportunities to gain nationally recognised qualifications in coaching, judging, first aid, safeguarding, and other vocational areas. Successful trainees are often offered paid coaching roles within the club on completion of a Level 1 or above gymnastics qualification.
👥 Who runs the programme
The Trainee Program is jointly led by our senior management team:
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Lara Everall MSc, Director of Coaching, who designed and oversees the structure of the programme and is a IGA mentor, coach and judge.
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Alex Pakrah, Manager and High Performance Coach, who supports technical development and helps ensure trainees are exposed to high-quality coaching standards and best practice across all sessions.
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Tracy Hill, Welfare Lead, who is also a women’s artistic coach and former primary school teacher. She ensures safeguarding, welfare, and trainee support are central to everything we do as part of the mentoring team.
Together, they provide a balanced leadership approach combining coaching excellence, safeguarding and welfare, and high-performance development.
🎯 The aims
The aim of the programme is to give trainees meaningful opportunities to develop their knowledge, gain practical coaching experience, and build confidence in a real coaching environment.
We focus on developing positive attitudes towards sport, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
🏃♀️ How it works
Trainees aged 13–17 typically begin by volunteering on our Tumbling Stars Level 4 & 5 sessions, working with children aged 4 to around 8 years old.
All trainees work under the direct supervision of fully qualified gymnastics coaches, supported by structured mentoring. Full lesson plans, schemes of work, equipment set-ups, and risk assessments are provided by the club and made available before each session.
Trainees start by assisting small groups and focusing on specific skills each week. Over time, they build knowledge and confidence as they progress through the programme and complete the Tumbling Stars Level 4 & 5 award skills.
Trainees are expected to attend regularly, with classes running across approximately 44 weeks of the school year.
📚 Learning areas
Throughout the programme, trainees develop knowledge and practical understanding of:
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Roles and responsibilities in coaching
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Safety in gymnastics coaching
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Group organisation and class management
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Physical preparation and warm-ups
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Movement analysis
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Principles of biomechanics
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Safe spotting and supporting
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Equipment set-up and safety checks
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Time management and session flow
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Being a positive role model
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Communication skills
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Positive reinforcement and praise
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Constructive feedback and active listening
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Teamwork and collaboration
🚀 Opportunities
Once trainees have completed the Tumbling Stars Level 4 & 5 skills, they are given opportunities to lead small groups under the direct supervision of a lead coach.
They receive ongoing mentoring, a club T-shirt, insurance cover, and access to additional training opportunities including first aid, safeguarding, introductory judging, and coaching courses.
Further progression opportunities are available for those who wish to continue developing their coaching pathway, with many trainees going on to secure long-term coaching roles within the club.
