MIGS People

Management Committee

We have an enthusiastic management committee who work very hard to ensure the needs of the club and it’s members are met. The committee is responsible for charting the strategic direction of Mid-Island Gym Sports and ensuring that the club is fulfilling its missions and objectives on a sustainable basis. The committee also has a responsibility for the functioning and development of Mid-Island Gym Sports and the continued satisfaction and enjoyment of the people involved in the programmes.

The committee, made up of parents who act on a voluntary basis, is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

Current Committee Members:

Michelle StanleyChairman
Sheryl HowardSecretary
Jared DawsonTreasurer
Karen Archer Committee Member
Andy BruereCommittee Member
Robyn Donaldson Committee Member
Joe Mack Committee Member
Alesha Morris Committee Member
Michelle Ngaira Committee Member
John Nieuwoudt Committee Member
Gaylene Smith Committee Member
Clive Thomson Committee Member
Krista Taylor Committee Member
Sandy van den Heuvel Committee Member
Stephen Whiting Committee Member

Staff

At MIGS all the coaches are affiliated to the NZ Gymnastics Association (NZGA). NZGA provide coaching courses for instructors to increase their knowledge, skill level and qualifications. Every class at MIGS is run by a Senior NZGA accredited coach. We have many junior coaches (most ex-gymnasts) that have relevant qualifications to their position. Most of the coaches work on a voluntary basis and MIGS certainly appreciates the time and effort they put into coaching.

 

• Centre Manager – Robyn Donaldson

Background

1963 12 month European Gymnastic & Cultural Tour
1964 - 1972 Tokyo Olympic Team Qualification
R.A.D. Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Degrees
1973 - 1980   Head Coach & one of the Founders of M.I.G.S. in Rotorua
1981 - 1991 Freelance Coach for :
* THE AUCKLAND SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS
* WASPS, WAITEMATA & LYNREY Gym Clubs
C.A.N.Z. (Coaching New Zealand) Qualifications N.Z. Choreographer for HIGH PERFORMANCE (Floor & Beam) Facilitator of Exercise For Health (A School based Programme) Facilitator of Waitakere Multi Sport Complex
1992 onwards NATIONAL COACH Okayama JAPAN (SILVER Medal)
In partnership, produced gymnasts who participated in:
* Edmonton Commonwealth Games (BRONZE Medal)
* Moscow World Games
* Fort Worth World Games
* Brisbane Commonwealth Games (BRONZE Medal)
* Australian Nationals (GOLD & SILVER Medals)
* Hong Kong Junior Pacific Alliance
* Sanyo Cup JAPAN (SILVER Medal)
TERTIARY Holistic Massage Qualification (Shiatsu)
Stress Control (Dept. Psychiatry Auckland University)
Physiotherapy (Sutherland Unit Auckland)
Risk Management, Bio-Mechanics & Biology @ Waitakere Sport
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY with I.C.S.
LECTURER at The Auckland College of Education. A.C.E.

 

• Head Coach – Xiao Fang Dong

• Trampoline Head Coach / Special Needs Coach - Lynette Farkash

Background
Lynette was a competitive gymnast for 12 years and a gymnast at MIGS for 6 of those. Lynette represented NZ in the under 14 Australasian Champs receiving 3rd place overall and 1st place New Zealander. Lynette had great success as a competitive gymnast. One of the many highlights in her gym career was a bronze medal in the team event at the Commonwealth Games in 1978, Edmonton, Canada. She went to the World Championships the year after in Fort Worth, Texas representing New Zealand. When retiring as a gymnast Lynette began coaching for a few years before taking off overseas. Before she knew it she was involved again at ARGOS Gymsport from 2004 – 2006. She returned to Rotorua with her family and began coaching at MIGS. Her Gymnastics Qualifications include:

Coaching:   GNZ Coach Education Programme Level 0
GNZ Coach Education Programme Level 1 WAG
GNZ Coach Education Programme Level 2 WAG
Introduction to Trampoline
Recreational Coach
Junior Coach
Advanced Junior Coach

1st Aid: Comprehensive 1st Aid unit standards – 6400, 6401 and 6402

 

• Recreational Supervisor / Coach in Scallywags - Jo Squires

Background
Jo has been involved with MIGS for a number of years firstly as a parent and in the last 5 years as a coach in our pre-school and recreational programmes. Recently Jo has taken on the role of recreational supervisor so she is now in charge of all recreational classes with children 5yrs+.

Coaching:   GNZ Coach Education Programme Level 0
GNZ Coach Education Programme Level 1
Recreation Coach Programme
Play Gym Leaders Course
1st Aid: Comprehensive

• Office Administrator – Sheryl Howard

Background
Sheryl comes to us with many years experience in accounts and administration. Sheryl co-ordinates and oversees all administrative duties and office support activities for supervisory staff and supports the functioning of the MIGS Committee. Sheryl has been a parent of MIGS for many years with two children coming through MIGS Scallywags and Recreation classes.