From the annual general meeting (AGM) held Thursday 13 June, we are pleased to share with you the recipients of this year’s life membership, national service, and meritorious awards.
Life Membership
Angie Dougal
Angie has been involved in gymnastics through trampoline from 1982, that is 42 years. From being an athlete to the current day Angie has experienced a vast range of gymnastics services. She progressed from being a recreational trampolinist through to a Gymnastics NZ representative trampolinist; to a coach, club owner, board member, sport development committee (SDC) chair, high performance advisory group (HPAG) member, Gymnastics NZ advisor, and contractor.
In all her roles she has been driven with a focus on success. Her awards and accomplishments are
- NZ representative 1984-1996
- World medallist 1992, 1994, 1996
- NZ team coach from 2001 until the present time (23 years)
- NZ team manager from 2015 to the present time (9 years)
- Trampoline SDC chair 2004-2009
- Gymnastics NZ high performance committee 2000-2005
- FIG coaching brevet level 3 awarded in 2015
Her coaching journey began at age 12, fuelled by an innate desire to serve.
âI wanted to teach the next generation about all the things that make you able to perform, not just do the sportâ.
Angie started coaching Tokyo bronze medallist Dylan Schmidt when he was six years old. Dylan invited Angie back to be his coach three years ago, with the current target of gold in Paris. In Angieâs time away from coaching Dylan she took up a role at the NZ Rugby Players Association supporting womenâs rugby. This role gave her the opportunity to see and advocate for the value of the athlete voice, which she then translated into a coaching context.
Using her High Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) Prime Minister’s Coach Scholarship Angie brought a legendary Canadian coach into New Zealand for two weeks to work with Dylan, while she learned from his coaching style.
âIf you want to get your athlete on top of an Olympic dais, you get the best in the world to help you achieve that goalâ. And that is the strategy as she works with Dylan on his quest for gold in Paris.
âAs a coach I want to develop my own style and a critical point for me is how can I be the best coach in the world, if I do not know what the best coach in the world doesâ.
“I can see Angie soaking up everything Dave is doing with me and Iâm excited for her, for me, and for our Paris campaignâ says Dylan.
Tas Evans
Tas has been involved in gymnastics in New Zealand since 1981 â approximately 43 years. Originally she coached incentive award skills, and progressed into the development, delivery and training of coaches for Babygym, incentive awards, and pre-school Playgym.
From 1990-1998 Tas served as a director of general gymnastics for Auckland. Her services to Gymnastics NZ commenced in 1991 as a course presenter, then included Greater Auckland Regional Awards Manager, Gymnastics NZ Incentive Awards Manager; general gymnastics committee; and head of delegation to World Gymnaestrada in 1999 and 2003.
On an international level Tas has represented Gymnastics NZ and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in the following capacities
- FIG GG instructor course, Thailand
- NZ Gymnastics delegate to FIG Symposia
- FIG Gymnaestrada expert performance assessor
- FIG Anniversary World Gala – management and production, Sydney.
Tas was also a Tri Star Gymnastics board member, and volunteer at national, regional, and club championships.
Her involvement in national gymnastics dates back to 1991. She served as a coach presenter at the National Gymnastics School. In addition she was pivotal in developing many of the recreational coaching programs in gymnastic clubs throughout New Zealand. She has presented courses at both national and international levels.
In addition to assisting in the development of general gymnastics throughout New Zealand Tas has also undertaken work with our Pacific nations. She was seconded to the FIG Oceania Development Project â a four year project in collaboration with Gymnastics Australia, after which she continued on in a volunteer capacity for the Oceania Gymnastics Union as chair of the education development committee.
Overall Tas has provided services for Gym for All throughout New Zealand and the Pacific which meet the
commitment of selfless, distinguished, and innovative service to Gymnastics NZ. She is creative and
brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her dedication to gymnastics spans over 43 years and she is deserving of a life membership of Gymnastics NZ.
National Service Awards
Emily Houghton – Capital Gymnastics
Emily has been instrumental in promoting and assisting in the development of the Gymnastics NZ Gym for All excel handbook, delivering coaching workshops, and operating as a control judge.
Sandra Paton – Howick Rhythmics
Sandra has volunteered her services for 20 years undertaking rhythmic data entry at the national championships.
Kathryn Searle – Astra Gymnastics
Kathryn has been a long-standing volunteer. Her service includes 10 years as the rhythmic announcer at the national championships.
Meritorious Awards
Cameron Beeton – NHG Gymnastics
Cam is a men’s artistic coach and judge. For 10 years he has volunteered his services to the MAG 360 Squad and has represented Gymnastics NZ internationally as a junior WC coach and as a brevet judge at seven international events.
Virginia Cathro – Dunedin Gymnastics Academy
Virginia has volunteered her services for 30-plus years in coaching, judging, and as a member of the Gymnastics NZ board. She currently serves on the Gymnastics NZ judicial committee and the appointments panel.
Angela Douglas – Tri Star Gymnastics
Angela has volunteered her services for 40-plus years as a coach, judge, and administrator. She has delivered Gymnastics NZ junior judging courses, judged at both national and regional championships, and was a FIG brevet judge for eight cycles.
Esther Hyde – Christchurch School of Gymnastics
Esther has judged at the national championships for 20 years and retained her FIG brevet for 24 years. She has represented New Zealand as a judge in 27 international events, served as a Gymnastics NZ judging course presenter for three years, and mentored judges.
Toby Levine – Christchurch School of Gymnastics
Toby has been a FIG men’s artistic (MAG) brevet judge for three cycles and is a FIG level 2 coach. He was the MAG technical committee athlete representative prior to his service of 10 years as a member. He is also involved with the MAG 360 program.
Alexandra (Sasha) Pozdniakov – Christchurch School of Gymnastics
Sasha has been involved with Gymnastics NZ for 29 years as a NZ coach at two Commonwealth Games, three world championships, and three world cup events. He has coached in New Zealand for 18 years,
led coaching clinics, and shared his knowledge.
Dylan Schmidt – Icon Trampoline
Dylan has an undeniable drive to give back to the trampoline community, he competes, coaches, judges, and shares his knowledge at all levels. He is an Olympic ambassador, Olympic bronze medallist, and a Paris 2024 Olympic athlete. He is a member of the NZ Athlete Leaders Workshop and an athlete voice with HP Sport NZ.
Gavin Snowsill – Kapiti Gymnastics
Gavin has given 30 years of service to Gymnastics NZ as a coaching and judging course presenter, a member of the MAG technical committee, and five of his gymnasts have represented Gymnastics NZ internationally. Gavin is a valued mentor and role model.