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This Page is dedicated to the coaches at Birmingham Flames.
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Alison Last: Alison is an ex-gymnast who began coaching as a teenager, and has been coaching ever since (which to save you doing the sums is 32 years!) Alison has continued to compete as a Veteran, and has competed every year (until 2003) in the British Veterans Competition. Until that time, she had been British Champion for the previous 9 years. As a coach, Alison has been qualified as a Senior Club Coach since the age of 18, and has recently undertaken a course to qualify as a High Performance Club. Alison also has shared responsibility for the running of the West Midlands Regional Squads and the Metropolitan County Squad. Alison is also qualified as a Regional Judge for gymnastics. Alison is a Chartered Physiotherapist, and has a part-time private practice in Kings Norton, and also works full time for South Birmingham Primary Care Trust as a Manager of Allied Health Professions. In her spare time, Alison loves spending time with friends and family, skiing and most of all, relaxing at home. |
Alan Last: Alan keeps the business of the Gym Club on track. Alison was already a gymnastics coach when he and Alison met, with Alison coaching 4 nights a week at the internationally renowned Redditch and Bromsgrove Gymnastics Club. Alan has not ever got involved in the coaching side of the Club, preferring to support the Club in other ways. Alan enjoys playing and watching football and cricket. Alan and Alison have been married for 16years. This photograph shows Alan with his daughter Stephanie, who is a fashion designer, currently living in Milan
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Laura Hindley I started Gymnastics when I was just two years old. I went to many different Gymnastics Clubs in Birmingham until settling at Birmingham Flames. I began coaching about two years ago. I recently become a quailified Club Judge also. Currently Studying As Levels History English and psychology at Bourneville College and I would like to progress into becoming a Primary School Teacher or a Child Psychologist I enjoy going out with friends and watching West Bromwich Albion play as i have had a season ticket since i was 8. I also develop and update this website, so i enjoy messing around on the Internet and Chatting on MSN. |
Sarah and Emily Furlow Sarah is a teacher in a primary school, working full time, and is married with four children. She became involved in the sport of gymnastics when her daughter, Emily, joined Birmingham Flames. Emily was a successful member of the Birmingham Flames competition squad until the end of the last competition season. She was a Regional Champion and a regular member of the County Squad. Emily has now also qualified as an Assistant Coach and has begun coaching young squad gymnasts. When time permits, Sarah enjoys cooking, reading and trips to the theatre and cinema. Emily enjoys skiing, trampolining and going to the ballet.
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Sarah Furley I started Coaching Gymnastics when i gave up the sport myself at 13. I coached and judged at a small club in Corby, Northamptonshire, until moving to Study Biology at the University of birmingham in 2002. I'm cureently in my second year and hoping to become a Biology teacher when i graduate. I'm my spare time i also enjoy Swimming,Skiing reading and going out with my friends. |
Ricky Hunt
Ricky has been involved in coaching gymnastics for about 10 years, having got involved through his daughters, who were involved in competitive gymnastics. Ricky still has one daughter, Claire, who is in the competition squad at Flames. Ricky and his family moved to Flames from a Gymnastics Club in the East Midlands at the end of 1999. Ricky qualified as a Senior Club Coach last month (April). During the day, Ricky is a Director of a Manufacturing Company, and in any spare time when he isnt working or coaching gymnastics, he enjoys taking part in all sports, but especially squash, which he plays competitively.
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Carla Deeley: Carla has been with the Club for many years, and was a successful Birmingham Flames competitive gymnast until the end of the last competition season. Carla has now also qualified as an Assistant Coach and has begun coaching young squad gymnasts. Carlas younger sister Renee is still an active member of the competition squad. Whilst not at gym, Carla enjoys a full social life, but also manages to fit in her school studies |
Jo Miller Jo is a retired gymnast who was forced to retire from competition in her late teens, and began coaching at that time. Jo has been a very successful coach, having coached gymnasts to a standard where they are regularly asked to represent the West Midlands at National Finals. She was named Young Coach of the Year for the West Midlands Gymnastics Association 2 years ago. Jo has recently qualified as a High Performance Coach, one of the highest qualifications possible. She achieved over 90% in all her written papers an amazing achievement after so few years of coaching. She is thought to be the youngest in the country to have gained this qualification (she will be 25 years old this year). During the working day, Jo is a Technical Instructor for the Physiotherapy Service for people with learning disabilities in Birmingham, where she has worked since leaving school. In her spare time, Jo enjoys spending time at a fitness centre, swimming and holidays in the sun.
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Donna Witherford Donna is an ex-gymnast who has been with Flames since she was 10 years old. She began coaching at the age of 18 and has coached on Wednesday evenings ever since. Donna qualified as an Assistant Club Coach in 2001. During the day, Donna works for a Helpdesk for ITNet and in her spare times enjoys holidays in the sun, and spending time with her friends and family. |
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Lesley Parrish: Lesley is retired gymnast who is one of our longest serving coaches. She was a member of the Club from which Flames grew the Redditch and Bromsgrove GC. Lesley coaches one evening per week, on Wednesdays. During the day she works as a Learning and Development Consultant for the childrens charity Barnardos. In her spare time Lesley enjoys a variety of activities gardening, horse riding, and has recently taken up running, completing the Great North Run last year for charity, and is hoping to do the Race for Life this year. Lesley also enjoys spending time relaxing at home with her husband, their dog, family and friends.
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