Tanya ManasterskyHead CoachTanya has been coaching with the Sapphires for 14 seasons. She is a fully certified Level 3 coach through the National Coaching Certification Program, and also a certified judge. Coaching rhythmic gymnastics has been a very rewarding experience for Tanya, and something she really has a passion for. She has coached all levels of athletes in recreational, competitive, and national stream programs. Most recently, she was the coach of the Manitoba Fusion Team who attended the World Gymnaestrada in Switzerland. Tanya was an athlete in the sport for 17 years, and throughout her time as an athlete has traveled to many great places including Portugal, Austria, and many destinations within Canada. When she’s not in the gym, she enjoys spending time with friends, scrap booking and card making, and loves to travel. Tanya is a University of Winnipeg student pursuing a career in Education. She is hoping to teach in either the early or middle years streams. Tanya is currently in Bangkok, Thailand participating in a student teaching exchange program. The Sapphires look forward to her return in the spring of 2012! |
Tracy SterdanCompetitive Levels 5 & 6
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Carly IsaakRecreational Program Coordinator
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Kira BurkettCompetitive Levels 4 & 5Kira has been coaching rhythmic gymnastics for the past eight years. She began competing with Sapphires in 2001 and has been involved with the club as both a coach and gymnast ever since. She has worked with both recreational and competitive gymnasts and has competed individually and in group. Kira was part of the Manitoba team representing team Canada at World Gymnaestrada in both Lisbon and Dornbirn and this year she will be competing in the newly re-formed masters program. Kira will be graduating this December with a degree in Politics from the University of Winnipeg. In her free time she enjoys dancing, canoeing and reading. |
Becky LesiukCompetitive Levels 5 & 6Becky is excited that this will be her eighth year coaching with the Sapphires. Throughout the years, she has coached Recreational and Provincial Stream athletes as well as assisted with the National Stream program. She has enjoyed every moment watching her gymnasts improve and strive to reach their goals. She is level 2 certified through the National Coaching Certification Program and is hoping to soon obtain her Level 3. Becky was also an athlete in the sport for 9 years, and throughout her experience, traveled to Austria as well as various places within Canada. Coaching rhythmic gymnastics has given her the opportunity to share her knowledge of the sport and most of all her passion with her gymnasts! She is anticipating another great year and looks forward to further developing relationships with everyone. Becky is currently a fourth year student at The University of Manitoba and starting her third year in the Faculty of Nursing. In her spare time she enjoy cooking, running and Ukrainian dancing. |
Lisa SmyrichinskyCompetitive levels 3 & 4This will be Lisa’s 5th year coaching with Sapphires Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and her 4th year as a competitive coach. She is level 2 certified through the National Coaching Certification Program and hoping to complete level 3 in the future. She is also a certified club level judge and plans to take the provincial level course this year. She loves watching her gymnasts improve throughout the year while working hard and having fun. This will be Lisa’s 11th year as a gymnast with Sapphires and she is extremely excited to be part of the senior group as well as working on a masters routine. Lisa is in her second year at the University of Winnipeg pursuing a degree in athletic therapy. When not in the gym she enjoys running, snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. |
Geneva CloutisCompetitive levels 1 & 2Geneva has been a member of Sapphires for 10 years. She has been coaching recreational and competitive classes for 4 years. She has been competing as a gymnast in group and individual categories for many years and this year is competing in the level 6C category. Geneva is entering her final year of high school at Grant Park High School. Apart from gymnastics, she is involved in the band program and Environmental groups at her school. |
Nina SemchyshynCompetitive Levels 1 & 2Nina just started coaching last year, assisting in the level four class. Nina has been part of the Sapphires Club for six years. In 2011, Nina travelled with Manitoba’s Fusion Gymnaestrada Team to Switzerland for World Gymnaestrada. This season she is competing in the Competitive Level 6 category. Nina is currently a student at St. Mary’s Academy, starting grade ten this fall. She dances with Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Company and with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. |
Gail PollardCompetitive levels 4 & 5Gail is in her first year coaching Rhythmic gymnastics. She is excited to be joining the Sapphires team! Gail is a former gymnast having competed at the national level in both rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. She was a member of Team Ontario in the 90's for rhythmic gymnastics. She has vast experience in dance, cheerleading and choreography as well, having been a member of the Labatt Blue Lightning Dance Team for 5 football seasons. Most recently, Gail was a member of the Manitoba Fusion team representing Canada at the World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne Switzerland in July 2011. Gail currently holds a Bachelor of Physical Education, a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy), and is currently in the final stages of completing her Masters of Science in Human Anatomy and Cell Science at the University of Manitoba. She currently works as a Wellness Consultant at the Wellness Institute at SOGH as well as teaches gross anatomy labs at the University of Manitoba. You can wave hello to her at Bomber games as she is also the female mascot Bella! |
Chrystal VerobaIRG Coach |
Megan KowalskiIRG Coach |
Stacey ColleroneIRG Coach |