Kyla Dolman has been a member at Koorana for the past 10 years, initially as a gymnast and now as the WAG co-ordinator and coach. She was fortunate enough to have been coached by Barry, Alan and Pat who were all extremely influential in her development as both an athlete and a coach. Kyla started coaching in 2016 with a group of Level 5s and now leads a team of dedicated coaches who oversee our WAG program – including the steps program and the competitive pathway with over 80 girls training from level 3 to future International. In 2022, Kyla and her team were instrumental in the club’s WAG achievements at State, National Levels Championships and National Clubs Championships where our club placed 4th Overall. Kyla holds an Advanced Silver (FIG 2) coaching qualification and is constantly striving to improve her program with new knowledge attained from attending state and national training camps.

Kym Saunders is no stranger to Koorana. She is a former gymnast at the club and has been coaching at Koorana for over 20 years. Kym has been involved in our Kindergym program since the beginning and was also previously the supervisor of our Steps program. She has a Bachelor of Education and is an Advanced Silver WAG and Intermediate KinderGym coach

As part of the relaunched KinderGym program, Kym and the club are excited to be able to offer a greater number of classes and will be working within Gymnastics Australia’s KinderGym framework to deliver an engaging and fun program for our 0 to 5 year olds. If you know a ‘little someone’ who would like to develop fundamental movement patterns and learn basic gymnastic skills, get in touch with Kym today!

Francine Turner is our GFA administration officer and coaches in our GFA program. Francine previously studied Early Childhood Education and has intermediate qualifications in both GFA and WAG and advanced Module 1 (tumbling and spring). She looks after the administration of our GFA program which has grown to hundreds of members and is often around the gym while her daughter trains in the WAG program

Clint Solly started his gymnastics career, right here at Koorana 37 years ago. You’ll even find his name up on the honour board in the foyer.

After starting recreational classes as an 8-year-old at Koorana with his beloved coach, the late Bruce Edwards, Clint went on to compete at Level 10 for many years, selected for 9 national competitions winning 5 consecutive national teams championships with the South Australian team, and competing for Australia at international levels competitions. 

Clint has honed his coaching skills in clubs around Australia – he has been a MAG Head Coach in Cairns, a Senior Coordinator for the junior development squad in a high performance MAG club in Brisbane, and just prior to returning to Koorana, he was the Head Coach of a brand new award-winning GfA club which grew to more than 1000 members in its first 2 years of operation. He holds an Advanced MAG coaching qualification.

He’s also an experienced performer; once upon a time working professionally as an acrobat and entertainer in a variety of shows from theme parks to cruise ships around the world.Clint is passionate about sharing his love for gymnastics and its many benefits with kids and adults of all ages and abilities. He is excited to be back at Koorana building a new generation of life-long gymnasts.

Joel Baldock came to Koorana at the start of 2021 to coach and build the MAG Program. The program has seen a lot of success, with stable numbers and the potential for large growth over 2022 and beyond.Since being at Koorana, Joel has seen the club work through many changes, and the foundation is being built for an amazing environment and club culture.

As a gymnast Joel represented the Northern Territory at National Championships for 10 years, where his team won 4 consecutive championships, as well as representing Australia internationally. This same team also won National Clubs Division 2 for 5 consecutive years, representing Darwin Gymnastics Club, of which he is a Life Member.

Joel has been a coach and judge for 26 years, holding a MAG Advanced Silver Coach Accreditation and Intermediate Bronze Judge Accreditation. He has coached in over half a dozen clubs in NT and SA, from Recreational to State representatives.

Joel’s aim is to provide the Koorana MAG program opportunities to compete interstate, and over time improve to a point where it is competitive nationally.

Louise Back began gymnastics at the age of 3 in England, and was a competitive WAG gymnast until she began coaching in 2014. When she first moved to Australia she was a member of Koorana Gymnastics and was coached by Barry, Alan and Pat.

Louise is an Advanced WAG coach and has been coaching WAG for the last nine years, producing many successful athletes. She also has plenty of experience working in a GFA capacity, and has taught gymnastics in multiple schools across Adelaide. Louise’s experience in teaching TeamGym began after running a successful program at Alpha!

Since quitting gym, Louise has competed nationally in dance, cheerleading and sport aerobics, and more recently has playing AFL. Her love of sport actually led her to getting a Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Activity from Flinders University. 

Louise is super excited to have this role at Koorana, can’t wait to watch the TeamGym program grow!