“Hi I’m Grace and I joined Horizon in 2021 during lockdown. I love working with young people and always turn up with a smile ready for action. Despite often being seen as a solo sport, gymnastics is a wonderful community and often requires teamwork at all levels. I love the way it helps children develop a healthy relationship with their body. I see sport as a positive way to build trust in their bodies at a time that can be very social-media driven for children.

I have loved gymnastics since I was a girl, it brings a sense of excitement that is important children. I try my best to recreate the fun memories I had for our gymnasts.”

Grace has judged gymnastics at primary school competitions and done outreach here too. She enjoys coaching preschool gymnastics and helping disabled children access the sport. Outside of the gym Grace is a software engineer, she plays the French horn, helps her mum train Guide Dogs for the blind, loves sewing and hiking.

“Hi I’m Carolan Palmer and I joined Horizon in 2019, Gymnastics has always been a family affair for me, my mum use to take my sister and I to gymnastics from a very young age. Then my dad became a coach and when I was old enough, I coached alongside him. Gymnastics is my home away from home, my second family and I try to keep this feeling in the classes I coach at. Teaching future generations about what it means to enjoy the sport I love. Gymnastic classes are for me, a friendly space away from the stresses in other areas of our lives with the fun coming from learning about gymnastics and achieving new skills.

I think the gymnasts would say that it’s my dedication to the sport that makes me special, and that I listen to my gymnasts and support them with their gymnastics goals and visions. I have a creative mind, I love dance and I think these tie in so well with the sport I love.”

Outside of the gym Carolan is married with two children, she’s a full time Senior Design Engineer, yet she still finds time for her gymnastics. Her love of everything Rhythmic means she has big dreams for the future of this sport at Horizon Gymnastics.

As a gymnast she tried many different disciplines including Acrobatic gymnastics, Teamgym and Rhythmic competing at club, regional and British level, with medals and trophies won along the way.

As a Rhythmic coach she has recently spear headed the South Region Technical Committee for Rhythmic to help boost numbers and develop the sport at grassroots. 

Carolan loves dance and has qualifications/awards in dance and ballet. In her spare time she has many creative hobbies including photography, knitting, sewing, making jewellery …. plus making competitive Rhythmic leotards. 

“Hi, I’m Chloe and I started with Horizon in 2019. I am able to quickly adapt my coaching skills and communication depending on the age of the gymnasts and their ability of understanding. Gymnasts are also able to approach me with any fears/concerns they may have whether its gym related or not. Gymnastics really helps you to be your best and express yourself while making new friendships and challenging yourself to things you never knew you could!”

Chloe started gym at the age of 10 and competed on floor, vault and trampet. She did many Gala performances with Southampton Gym Club at the Guildhall and started Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2012. She instantly fell in love with this discipline, it’s mesmerising routines and mastery with hand held apparatus. Chloe competed in Rhythmic winning medals before deciding to coach Rhythmic and share her passion with others & help them win medals too!

Chloe outside of the gym is mum of two gorgeous girls and used to work at Springwell School, a special needs school. She now works completely for Horizon Gymnastics.

She enjoys Brownies and completed a leadership qualification for guiding at the age of 17 and was given her own Brownie unit to run by 18 making her the youngest leader to run a unit in the Division. 

“Hi I’m Millie and I joined Horizon in Sept 2020, I have an absolute passion and love for gymnastics, from watching it, to doing it as a gymnast myself. I love the flexibility side and competing.”

Millie is currently a level 1 general gym coach. She loves working with children and works full-time with children 0-4yrs in a nursery as a senior early years practitioner. Millie also enjoys walks with her dog and exploring new areas.  

“Hi, I’m Alfred, I fell in love with gymnastics after watching a trampet display at a summer fayre. I reached out to Horizon and haven’t looked back. I joined Horizon Feb 2016.” 

Alfred has competed over various years in the British TeamGym Championships, Northern Ireland Championships, other regional TeamGym competitions across the country and our club based competitions. He was a member of the Horizon 2019 GymFusion team and has been involved with various displays and fetes over the years.

His experience as a gymnast & being able to demonstrate, supports his communication when coaching gymnasts. Many go to him for support, he makes learning fun and challenging.

He has volunteered at various BIG British Gymnastic Championship events across the UK, this has both inspired his gymnastics and given him a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. 

Alfred has been a gymnast since 2016, a Young Leader since Nov 2021 and passed his TeamGym Level 1 coaching Aug 2024.

“Hi I’m Stephanie and I’m one of the Club’s Welfare Officers. I joined Horizon in 2006, I just love welcoming all the youngsters & their parents coming in through the doors and making them feel really comfortable with their gymnastic journey. I’m the grandma who the kids turn to and chat about their busy day and the listening ear. I love TeamGym and the opportunities it gives people to learn about themselves.”

Stephanie is one of our Welfare Officers. She has a caring and approachable nature which enables her to connect with the gymnasts, their parents, the coaches and everyone at Horizon. Stephanie positions herself more as a grandma! There to listen to all worries, support emotional growth and parents can speak to her in complete confidence. 

Stephanie enjoys playing indoor and outdoor bowls, winning the County 4’s and Mixed Pairs. She loves Art and will spend hours painting and drawing, having had some of her work exhibited around Southampton City Centre and Hampshire. She enjoys walking, taking photos, cooking, pilates and eating good food. She’s also a qualified Advance Driver.

“Hi, I’m Nicky and I’m one of our Club’s Welfare Officers. I started Artistic Gymnastics when I was 8yrs old before hearing about TeamGym and deciding to give it a go, I have loved it ever since. I joined Horizon in 2000 when the club first started & still love going into the gym and maintain my skills.  TeamGym is such a fun and exciting way to keep fit, it enables you to work as part of a team  and learn lots of new skills. My daughter loves TeamGym too & together we have fun keeping fit.”

Nicky is a good listener and will always do her best to help others, she’s great at supporting gymnasts and coaches with her in depth knowledge of the sport. Outside of the gym Nicky is an administrator / accounts assistant and she enjoys going for runs and walks with the family.

“Hi I’m SJ and I’m another one of the Club’s Welfare Officers. I’ve had a strange career journey starting out wanting to become a teacher, then changed my mind to a career in horses, then ended up with a career in HR and I’m now a People Director” 

SJ has various British Horse Society Exams. She got involved with Horizon when her daughter started gymnastics. She has 2 kids, 2 delinquent bunny rabbits and a pond full of fish.

“Hi, I’m Danni, I joined Horizon as a volunteer helper not long after my daughter joined Rhythmic gymnastics, Feb 2022. With a background in Artistic gymnastics, I am loving and embracing everything Rhythmic. I am really enjoying supporting the gymnasts & helping them work on new skills.

I have a level 5 in coaching and mentoring, making my adaptability in teaching various ages & abilities using a variety of teaching methods an asset to the team. I like to thrive, I am loved by all because of my willingness to learn to help.

I have always loved gymnastics & I now want to pass on my knowledge to the young and upcoming gymnasts.”

Danni was an Artistic gymnast in her youth, she is a military musician and plays netball in the Winchester league.

“Hi, I’m Charlie, I joined Horizon June 2024 and support rhythmic and general gym classes. I always make sure I’m approachable by all the children for any concerns or worries. I am passionate about working with children and ensure I give all my attention to the gymnasts when coaching. It is very rewarding”

Charlie embeds the way that gymnastics creates good healthy bonds supporting children mentally and physically, helping them to overcome their shyness. 

Charlie has worked in the community whilst studying at college, teaching children how to be a positive force in the community.

“Hi, I’m Holly, I started with Horizon 2014 in general gym. From there I moved to Team Club and then onto TeamGym. I love doing gym and helping others learn new skills. I really enjoy showing and breaking down skills, to make it fun. 

I have been a Young Leader since Oct 2022, coaching 1 class weekly, now I coach 6 classes weekly. I am learning what it means to be a coach and I love taking on responsibility from setting up gym equipment, to class registers, to talking to those feeling anxious and supporting them.”

Holly was a member of the Horizon 2019 GymFusion team, she’s competed in various club based competitions and taken part in various club displays and fetes.

Holly is a natural coach and struggling gymnasts turn to her for guidance.

“Hi, I’m Ruby, I joined Horizon 2014 and have been a Young Leader since Sept 2023, where I started supporting 1 class per week and now it’s 2 classes per wk.  I train in TeamGym, am confident and really enjoy teaching the gymnasts. I am learning how to coach and enjoying this hugely.”

Ruby has found her voice since starting the Young Leader program, she has a purpose in the gym and is growing in confidence every week. Her new coaching knowledge is also supporting her own training development.

“Hi, I’m Holly, I joined Horizon Oct 2015 as a gymnast. I loved doing gymnastics at home and I wanted to increase my confidence so I joined Horizon. I now train in TeamGym.”

Holly has been a Young Leader since Jan 2022. She started with just 1 class per week and has recently increased this to supporting 3 classes per week.  She is very good with the gymnasts and has grown in confidence since becoming a Young Leader. She is a natural goto person for the younger gymnasts. Everyone loves her.

“Hi, I’m Monty, I joined Horizon in 2015 as a gymnast and started the Young Leader program Mar 2024. I train TeamGym and started gymnastics as I wanted to try something new. I’m really enjoying the Young Leader program, I like to help others to reach their goals.” 

Monty has reached a good level of advanced gymnastics on a 1hr weekly class. He is dedicated and outside of the gym he enjoys rugby and biking.

“Hi, I’m Smayan, I joined Horizon Sept 2018 and train in TeamGym, I have competed in the Northern Ireland TG Open, Mezzo Cup, Horizon in-house competitions, was a member of the Horizon 2019 GymFusion team and took part in various gym displays and fetes.” 

Smayan loves gymnastics, cricket and football.

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