2026 Coaches

Meet the team

Our Coaches are fully qualified with Development VCCA Accreditation and hold Level 1 First Aid Certificates and current WWCC.

They are required to continually update their skills (including first aid) by attending meetings and seminars conducted by the Victorian Calisthenics Coaches Association (VCCA). Our coaches not only enjoy their sport, but take great pride in helping others to learn and enjoy it as well.

Our coaches have been involved with calisthenics for many years both competitively and as coaches. Collectively they have coached teams which have won aggregates at the prestigious Royal South Street, CVI State Championships as well as many local competitions.

Narelle Gioutsos

PRINCIPAL COACH/MASTERS HEAD COACH

Narelle began her calisthenics journey at just two years old at St Gerard’s, and today she celebrates 54 years involved in the sport. Her dedication has taken her across states, including seven years in South Australia.

Narelle has been a Head Coach for 27 years and has been coaching for even longer, leading with experience, passion, and commitment. Her favourite items are Rhythmical Aesthetics and Clubs, where her skill and love for the sport shine. She also serves as the Ashgrove CC Principal Coach, bringing both leadership and heart to every class.

For the past 20 years, Narelle has been a cherished part of Ashgrove, helping shape the club and its culture. She is deeply passionate about the development and growth of her pupils and treasures the lifelong friendships formed along the way.

Olivia Bedford

TINIES HEAD COACH

Olivia has been involved in calisthenics and dance for 19 years. She is passionate about performing on stage, both as part of a team and through solo work.

In 2024, Olivia commenced her coaching training, and 2026 will be her second year coaching solos. She is excited to begin coaching teams for the first time and continue developing as a coach. Olivia is being mentored by our own Julie Miller, who has worked with the Tinies for many years.

Alongside calisthenics, Olivia has a strong background in musical theatre, classical ballet, jazz, and pointe work. She particularly enjoys teaching expressive skills and dance technique.

She is very excited to be joining the Ashgrove family and supporting the Ashgrove Tinies team in 2026!

Monique Reiche

SUB JUNIORS HEAD COACH

2026 marks Monique’s 20th year in calisthenics, a huge milestone in a sport she’s grown up in. She started helping in Subbies classes at just 16, and went on to complete her Development Coaching Accreditation in 2020.

Since then, she’s been the creative force behind our Tinies program, helping our youngest performers grow in confidence, skills and a genuine love for the sport. Alongside this, she has coached solos, supported individual performance development, and has also been a dedicated Masters assistant coach for many years.

Next year, Monique is ready for a new challenge and is stepping up to coach our Sub Juniors. With so many of her Tinies moving up, it’s the perfect next chapter — and we can’t wait to see her continue to shine as a coach.

Melissa Murphy

JUNIORS HEAD COACH

Melissa has been coaching since 2006, working across various clubs and divisions, and brings a wealth of experience and insight to every team she leads. With many years of competing behind her, she has a strong understanding of performance, technique and stage presence, and her passion for calisthenics shines through in everything she does.

For the past three years, Melissa has proudly coached our Juniors, playing a key role in developing confident, capable performers while nurturing a genuine love for the sport. She is known for her calm, supportive coaching style, thoughtful guidance and ability to bring out the best in every pupil, no matter their level.

Her dedication, knowledge and commitment make her an invaluable part of our coaching team, and we are so grateful to have her guiding our Juniors once again in 2026.

Alexia Vanin

INTERMEDIATES HEAD COACH

Alexia’s calisthenics journey began at age four, and from her first class she fell in love with performing as part of a team. She went on to represent the Calisthenics Victoria state team, gaining invaluable experience and lifelong lessons that shaped who she is today.

In 2017, she began assistant coaching the tots and tinies to help her sister’s team and has continued coaching ever since, finding joy in watching young performers grow year after year. In 2025, Alexia stepped into a new chapter, co-coaching the Champ Reserve Sub-Juniors alongside Maddi.

She has been part of many winning teams, including a standout highlight being a Jeaden Senior and contributing to ten consecutive state championships.

Calisthenics has given her not only skills and achievements, but lifelong friendships and memories she will always treasure. Now, Alexia is thrilled for what’s ahead as she prepares to take on the inters at Ashgrove in 2026.

Kate Bennett

SENIORS HEAD COACH

We’re excited to welcome Kate Bennett as our 2026 Seniors Coach! With extensive experience across Subbies, Juniors, Inters and Seniors — including many years as a head coach — Kate brings exceptional knowledge and leadership to our club. She has also coached Graceful and Cali solos, duos and skills up to Silver Medal, and previously supported the CV Elite Performance Team.

A performer for 24 years, Kate has also made a huge impact behind the scenes: mentoring new coaches, running concerts, and creating the Sterling Solo Competition. She’s also highly skilled in costume design and creation, bringing a strong creative eye to her coaching.

We’re thrilled to have Kate leading our Seniors next year!

Maddison Barbuto

INTERMEDIATES ASSISTANT COACH

We are thrilled to introduce Maddison to our Inters coaching team! Maddison has dedicated 19 years to calisthenics, grateful for every stage, lesson, and opportunity — including the joy of representing the Victorian Calisthenics State Team three times.

That joy naturally led her into coaching seven years ago. She began as a Sub Junior Assistant Coach before moving on to co-coach Reserve Sub Juniors alongside Alexia. Maddison reflects on her own Intermediate years as a pivotal turning point, which is why she is now so passionate about supporting performers through that same stage.

She is excited for the journey ahead with the Ashgrove Calisthenics Club and can’t wait to pass on her passion to the next generation of performers.

Shania Anthony

SENIORS ASSISTANT COACH

Meet Shania! Shania brings an incredible depth of experience, having been part of a three-time State Championship–winning team in WA. With six years of competition experience under her belt, she knows exactly what it takes to perform at an elite level.

Shania has also coached acro and calisthenics for three years, pausing only to recover from injuries and while relocating interstate. Even during her break from calisthenics, her passion for movement never stopped—she continued dancing in a variety of styles, strengthening her versatility and creativity. We’re so excited to welcome her to the team and can’t wait for our seniors to learn from her talent, energy, and love for the sport!

Meet Our Helpers

  • Julie Miller

    TINIES MENTOR

  • Georgia Coombes

    SUB JUNIORS HELPER

  • Kate Read

    SUB JUNIORS HELPER

  • Jess Allen

    JUNIORS FOUNDATION COACH

  • Hailey Kilgour

    JUNIORS HELPER

  • Maddy Coombes

    INTERMEDIATES HELPER

  • TBC

    SENIORS HELPER

  • Anna Vrsecky

    MASTERS HELPER