Staff Members

Centre Administrator

Carolina Bruno

Kia ora! I'm Caro and you'll find me in the office busy on admin and accounts.  I have been part of the MIGS family for two years.  The best part of working at MIGS, by far, is listening to the children have fun at our club.  A fun fact about me,  I thrive at smiling through chaos!  Next time you come in to the Gym, pop your head through our little office window and say Hi!

Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Head Coach

Lynette Farkash

I coach Women’s Artistic Gymnastics and Power Tumbling.  I competed in Gymnastics from the age of five through to the age of seventeen. I have been coaching Gymnastics, Tumbling and Trampoline for the past twenty-two years.  My parents got me involved in the sport as I was an extremely shy child that had lots of energy that needed to be burnt off.  My favourite thing about MIGS, is that my parents along with some other passionate parents formed MIGS, my children have grown up being involved in the club and they can come into the building at any time and always be greeted with friendly faces.  A fun fact about me, even though I  mainly coach WAG and Power Tumbling, I am responsible for the building up and developing the Trampoline side of  MIGS.

Recreational Gymnastics Head Coach

Jo Squires

I coach Recreational Gymnastics Classes, Elementary Artistic Levels 1 and 2, including MIGS holiday programme.  I started coming to MIGS as a parent bringing my own children to Scallywags back in 1995.  I have now been coaching at MIGS in a variety of positions for the past twenty-five years. I really enjoy watching the children develop in confidence as the learn and achieve.  My favourite thing about MIGS, is working with the other coaching staff.  A fun fact about me, I didn’t do Gymnastics as a child.

Trampoline (TRA) Head Coach

Jess Roe

I coach Pre-comp Trampoline, Competitive Trampoline and Tumbling.  I have been coaching for about 5 years now, starting with recreation classes, holiday programme and birthday parties.  I enjoyed recreational gymnastics and tumbling myself, for around 8 years.  I love seeing athletes develop their skills and confidence and watching their excitement when they achieve something new.  I also enjoy seeing their hard work come together at competitions and seeing them proud of what they have accomplished.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the strong relationship between the competitive programs and the supportive environment for our athletes.  Also, the friendships and encouragement our athletes share with each other.  A fun fact about me, I enjoy running and mountain biking in my free time.

Scallywags, Pre-school, Special Needs and School Programme Coach

Sunny Brady

I coach scallywags, pre-school children and special needs groups ages 5 years to 21 years.  I got started at MIGS, as I did a little coaching for my daughters school for the Rotorua primary/intermediate gymnastics competitions, working a group of about 20 children to teach them vault, beam, floor and bar routines.  After this experience, MIGS asked if I would be interested in working at MIGS.  I enjoy working with the special needs children, just helping them work on the smaller things and seeing the smiles and reactions when they try something new or achieve a new skill they have been working on.  My favourite thing about MIGS, is the bonds and relationships that are built between the children that train at the Gym.  It is such a lovely close-knit unit.  A fun fact about me, I am pretty good at karaoke.

Gym for All and Recreational Gymnastics Coach

Riley Buffett

I coach a variety of classes including gym fun, scallywags, junior gym, intermediate gym, recreational and tiny tumblers.  This is my first coaching role, however I have a range of experience working in childcare roles.  I enjoy been able to provide a safe and fun environment for the children and for them to explore their interests in gymnastics.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the environment.  It is fun, supportive, and professional which makes been a coach at MIGS so enjoyable.  A fun fact about me, I am a second-year nursing student.  I also have experience as a competitive gymnast and as a dancer where I danced both professionally and competitively.

Youth Coach

Isabella Sluiters

I coach Recreational and Competitive Trampolining.  I’ve been coaching since 2023 and I got started by asking if there was any coaching roles that I could start.  I enjoy helping athletes reach their goals and helping them succeed while having a fun and happy environment.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the caring community and been able to have a connection with everyone around the gym.  A fun fact about me, I have been attending MIGS for 13 years (since I was 3).

Youth Coach

Maia Drabble

I coach Gymnastics Step 3’s.  I have been coaching for 5 years.  I started coaching as I had a real interest in it and had been giving tips to my teammates.  I enjoy seeing the success of the children that I coach and seeing them so happy while doing their gymnastics.  My favourite thing about MIGS, is the enjoyable environment.  You can go to anyone if you have a problem, whether it is an athlete or a coach.  A fun fact about me, I enjoy music productions and playing music in a band.

Youth Coach

Maia Robertson-Pene

I coach Tumbling.  I have been coaching for 1 ½ years.  I started coaching because I previously competed in trampolining for 8 years.  When coaching I enjoy seeing the excitement in athletes when learning and completing new skills.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the whanau atmosphere.  A fun fact about me, I can juggle.

Youth Coach

Meg Sherborne

I coach Gym Fun and Recreational Gymnastics.  I got started through doing competitive gymnastics, I have been coaching for about 2 years.  I enjoy helping the children improving and having fun while doing gymnastics.  My favourite thing about MIGS, is all the cool gym equipment.  A fun fact about me, I was a competitive gymnast for about 6 years and got up to step 6.

Youth Coach

Michelle Armer

I coach Gym Fun.  I have been coaching since term 1 of 2024.  I got started when my Mum asked me if I would like to coach some classes.  I enjoy helping the next group of gymnasts progress.  My favourite thing about MIGS, is the variety of Gym Sports available.  A fun fact about me, I am a member of the 29 Squadron Air Cadets.

Youth Coach

Emily Armer

I coach Gymnastics Ages 5 to 7, Level 1 and 2.  Ages 7 to 12, Level 1 and 2.  I have been coaching for 1 year and a ½.  I got started through been at the gym so much with my own training.  I enjoy seeing the kids have a fun time and progress in their skills.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the friendships that are made. 

Youth Coach

Francisca Marshall

I am currently coaching the competitive step 4 gymnastics team.  I have been coaching for about a year and a half now.  I started when my coach asked if I wanted to help Jo coach the new step 1 group, as she wanted to make sure her current girls were ready for their last competition.  Then a vacant coaching spot became available to coach the step 3 group and U have been coaching them ever since. My most enjoyable part of coaching is when one of my girls accomplishes a new skill, or does well at a competition.  It makes me so proud as a coach when the coaching I give helps my athletes achieve their goals.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the sense of community within the club.  Everyone is always welcoming and friendly, ready to answer any questions I have, or even just have a casual conversation.  I have made so many strong friends through MIGS, friendships I know I will have for life.  A fun fact about me is along with gymnastics, another sport I love is skiing.  I love the mountains, and the cold that comes with it.

Youth Coach

Morghan Heron

I coach Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Pre-comp.  I started coaching at the beginning of 2024.  After doing gymnastics myself, I wanted to teach others.  I really enjoy the athletes new skills.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the people.  A fun fact about me, I love reading books.

Youth Coach

Awatea Tana

I coach Gym Fun and Recreational Gymnastics.  I have been coaching for a year and a bit.  I enjoy teaching others the joy of Gymnastics and new tricks.  My favourite thing about MIGS is the people, everyone is so nice.  A fun fact about me, I once lost my brothers bird when I was 11, giving it a bird bath.

Youth Coach

Paige Sapwell

I coach Recreational Gymnastics and Gym Fun.  I have been coaching since September 2024.  I have spent a lot of time teaching my younger sister a few techniques and realised that I enjoyed coaching.  The thing I enjoy most about coaching would be watching my gymnasts succeed and achieve all their goals whether it’s nailing a difficult skill or achieving a personal goal.  My favourite thing about MIGS would be the supportive and friendly environment that they have created for not only the gymnasts but also the coaches.  A fun fact about me, I can balance a handstand for 5 minutes.

Youth Coach

Joseph Ronayne

I coach all levels of Parkour.  I am the new Parkour coach at MIGS.  I haven’t been coaching for long; however I have been involved in trampolining for the last few years.  Before trampolining I was really into Parkour.  This has led me back to Parkour and wanting to get involved in coaching.  My favourite part of coaching is helping kids mastering new skills.  My favourite part of MIGS is the community around it,  I have known some of the coaches here since I was 2.  A fun fact about me, I really love lasagne.