Kestrel is a gymnastics club specialising in acrobatics and tumbling, run by Head Coach Lyn Price, Assistant Coaches Caitlin Stewart, Hattie Davies, Ellie Jackson and Dr Kierri Price, with British Gymnastics certified gym helper Lawrence Smith, and support from our trainee coaches Dr Katy Green, Lois Irving, Lily Faulkner, Charlotte Bowker and Will Allison. This team has many years of experience, coaching gymnasts to regional and national level.
Lyn is a retired primary school teacher with ballet, latin and african dance training; Hattie also has a background in dance, with ballet and modern her preferred genre; Kierri was a competetive ballroom and latin dancer; Lawrence has a background in fitness and weight lifting; whereas Caitlin, Hattie, Kierri, Katy, Lois, and Charlotte are former national or regional level acrobatic or tumbling gymnasts. Caitlin and Lawrence are our current Welfare officers and Dr Katy looks after all our medical needs.
“Our emphasis is on providing a fun, friendly and safe environment for learning and improving gymnastic skills.”
Kestrel holds sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Thornbury Leisure Centre.
Before you begin
Payment must be made before coaching can commence, and all gymnasts must be members of British Gymnastics. This is to ensure that the correct insurance cover is provided for your child through British Gymnastics. Please consult the website each term, for dates and payment options.
No jewellery should be worn during sessions, for the safety of the gymnast. This includes watches, fitbits, earrings, friendship bracelets and hair jewellery. Please note that our club insurance through British Gymnastics is invalidated if tape is used to cover earrings or other jewellery.
Long hair should be tied back securely, and appropriate clothing should be worn. Leotards are required for both girls and boys; although for the first few sessions it is acceptable to wear shorts and t-shirt. Long trousers should be avoided as this can impede movement. Gymnasts can purchase the club leotard, shorts, leggings and t-shirt by using the form on the website or contacting the coach for further details and prices.
Gymnasts will train in bare feet, so please ensure any verrucas are protected by a secure covering such as ‘bazooka’ or a firmly fastened plaster.
We strongly advise that gymnasts visit the toilet before a session commences, but should a need arise during a session, the gymnast may be accompanied (socially distanced) by an older gymnast or an assistant coach who will wait for the child outside the toilets.
What we do (Beginners)
Beginners classes are for those aged 4 and 5 years.
Training sessions will typically consist of an aerobics style warm up to increase the pulse rate of the gymnasts, followed by flexibility and strength-specific warm-ups. This will be followed by a skill based session where gymnasts are taught and encouraged to practice and perfect a variety of skills and balances. The session will end with a cool-down period before dismissal.
Tuition is differentiated by ability and experience.
What comes next
Improvers classes are for gymnasts aged 6 years and above.
Entry into the intermediate/advanced group is at the invitation of the head coach. These groups may be offered the opportunity to attend on more than one day. They may also be given the opportunity to trial for our elite groups to prepare for competition in either acrobatics or tumbling.
Communication
If you have any concerns you wish to discuss, please contact your coach by phone or email in advance of the session, or in person at the end of a session so that teaching is not interrupted, unless in an emergency. Welfare officers can be contacted by telephone if required.