Athletes at the 黑马磁力 Gymnastics Foundation took a break from front flips and cartwheels to thank the people who are helping them develop as athletes, during National Coaches Week, which runs from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30.
黑马磁力 Gymnastics Foundation office manager Tattina Tedaka-Slavik said the club has approximately 30-40 volunteer and paid coaches.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a nation-wide event to recognize the positive impact all kinds of coaches have on their athletes. For gymnastics, we have competitive athletes coming here for 15 to 20 hours per week, so it鈥檚 basically their second home here and their second parent is their coach,鈥� said Tedaka-Slavik.
During coaches week at 黑马磁力 Gymnastics Foundation, students filled out 鈥楽uperstar鈥� coach comment cards that are on display at the facility. Athletes also wrote longer 鈥榯hank-you鈥� letters to their coaches, noting ways they鈥檝e been motivated by their coach.
Athlete Charlotte Trotman is trained by coach Nikki Jarvis, who coaches women鈥檚 artistic gymnastics. Trotman wrote that coach Nikki is a great because she makes gymnastics more fun by coming up with new ideas and games.
鈥淪he is so nice and caring,鈥� said Trotman. 鈥淪he pushes you to succeed but never too hard, and is always very supportive.鈥�
Coach Nikki also teaches her gymnasts to 鈥榞ive 110 per cent鈥� according to Trotman.
鈥淐oach Nikki has taught me that you don鈥檛 worry about what other people are doing, focus on what you are doing.鈥�
Recreational and Interclub coach Alasia McGregor coaches athlete Ava Hamidnejad.
Hamidnejad said coach Alasia always pushes her athletes to try their best and learn new skills. Hamidnejad learned how to perform hand springs with the help of her coach.
鈥淚 used to be so scared of skills that I do now with ease, because with courage and hard work and Alasia helping me and encouraging me, I was able to do so many things. She taught me once I can overcome that fear, I can do anything,鈥� said Hamidnejad.
Coach Nikki Crocker teaches the Foundations special needs program and gives athlete Julia Estacio the time and patience she needs to learn a new gym move. Coach Nikki taught Estacio to be confident and to believe she can do anything, as long as she tries.
Athlete Trevor Ma said thanks to his men鈥檚 artistic gymnastics coach, Kris Krunick, for being optimistic and always 鈥榯rying to look at the bright side of things.鈥�
鈥淗e taught me that being confident at competitions can be helpful, but being overconfident can be detrimental. It鈥檚 best to be humble.鈥�
Tedaka-Slavik said the coaches have been delighted to see the positive comments.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been feeling very special and recognized.鈥�
