7 min read
January 23, 2023
At Gymfinity Kids, we ensure that our coaches are of the highest standard to bring the best teaching and experience to your children. Whether they’re trained in-house or come from a background in sports coaching, our nurturing coaches are ready to help your child progress and develop!
We’ve assembled a team of coaching experts who have developed our unique movement programmes – they have around 400 years of sports coaching experience between them so you can rest assured that they know what they’re doing. But who are they and why have they come to work for Gymfinity Kids?
Get to know the Gymfinity Kids coaches
We spoke with Alfie, a coach who’s been with Gymfinity Kids for 2.5 years, all about how he got introduced to gymnastics and why he began coaching with us.
Alfie began at our Reading club and was transferred over to the Wandsworth club in London so he could coach alongside his acrobatic training at the National Centre for Circus Arts. Alfie’s experience in both coaching and training is staggering, so we grabbed him to find out more!
Gymfinity Kids Wandsworth Club: Alfie Sherwood
What inspired you to get into acrobatics and gymnastics?
I remember when I was 5 years old, my mum tried me out in lots of different sports. From football to street dancing, I tried it all but nothing really clicked with me. It wasn’t until I saw a friend do a round-off flick at school that I thought “WOW! I want to do that!”. I then enrolled in recreational gymnastics and never looked back.
What’s your favourite thing about gymnastics?
The POWER! I love tumbling and trampette, and basically going as high as I can so I can get in all the twists and somersaults. It’s an artistry to me and I also love teaching it to the kids.
What was the toughest aspect of gymnastics when you started?
I think at first it was the idea of competitions. I got into the squads very quickly and I found the idea of competing brought high pressure, but I put in the work and when it finally came to my first competition, it was brilliant! Scary, but after the experience, I knew it was well worth it. My greatest achievements in competitions were winning silver in a national competition (2013) and gold in a regional competition (2014).
What’s your best advice for getting over the hurdles?
At the end of the day, a competition shows that you have talent. You’ve been picked to be in a squad and be entered into the competition so the faith and support are there. Remember that competing is a tiny spotlight on all your experience, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Enjoy the experience!
What advice do you have for someone thinking about starting gymnastics?
DO IT! It can be scary. I understand that it’s a new way of moving your body and can be intimidating to the inexperienced. I began gymnastics when I was 5 years old, a time when it wasn’t common to see boys doing gymnastics, but as soon as I started, I knew I had found my absolute passion.
I took that leap (excuse the pun) and it transformed my life for the better. Then when I was able to nail skills, I was so proud of myself and found it a fantastic way to channel my creativity and artistry. I can’t imagine life without it, especially as I am now dedicated to an acrobatics career and invest 70 hours a week in my training and coaching. It’s always on my brain and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
How has gymnastics helped you in everyday life skills?
It has increased my confidence exponentially. I am more confident in my capabilities and who I am as a person.
And for me personally, I find it a massive release. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and can now see how the years of gymnastics have helped me work that excess energy out of my system, fidget less and have better focus.
I live and breathe acrobatics and gymnastics, and with my training at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London, my brain is constantly whirring and taking advice, tips, skills and tricks into my coaching. Everything works together as I am so invested.
Tell us more about your time at the National Centre of Circus Arts in London:
I train there full-time so my life is about 35 hours of teacher training and 2 hours a day of free training. All in all, it’s around 50 hours of training, plus my role at Gymfinity!
I’m training to be a circus artist and get into the circus world. My dream would be to work with Cirque du Soleil and perform with them! But there are also many other smaller companies that are creative and inspiring.
Where do you perform your acrobatics in London?
I started my course in September 2022, and it’s a 3-year course in circus arts. I wanted to merge my experience of performing arts with circus and go down the acrobatic route. There are so many exciting disciplines to explore but my favourite has to be the teeterboard (a 3-person seesaw).
What made you join the Gymfinity Kids Team?
I was already coaching at a different club and was looking for a new opportunity that would challenge and develop me more. A friend told me the Reading club was looking for coaches and I got the job!
What has your Gymfinity Kids journey looked like?
I started as a coach where I would take the children through their lessons, teaching recreational-level skills. I taught the basics and then moved up into training intermediate and advanced gymnasts whilst keeping an eye out for squad potential.
I now look after the Wandsworth Floor & Vault squad and focus on artistry, lines, power and execution.
Training is more intense for squads as they need a bigger focus on strength, conditioning and flexibility, but it all shines through in the competitions as they look fabulous and make me so proud.
How do you support your squad?
Whenever a squad member is nervous, I break the routine down and work out what is making them apprehensive. I work closely with them and ensure that they’re also training at home with support from their parents to get them more confident and comfortable.
The secret is figuring out their strengths before assigning a routine – this helps them with confidence and nailing the competition.
How has Gymfinity supported and progressed you?
At Wandsworth, the Club Manager and Programme Manager have been incredible. I’m now very good friends with them both and help scout for the club’s squads. The staff get lots of training and support, and I get to work alongside really talented people!
Thank you so much for speaking to us, Alfie! We’ve loved finding out more about you and how your journey has brought you to Gymfinity Kids. We can’t wait to see how you develop the Wandsworth squads and we love following along on your acrobatics career!
