HHGC has many advantages over the competition, but the most important is COACHING EXCELLENCE! We have over 30 coaches on staff. Here is a brief profile of our senior coaches.
Florin Chivu
Director, Competitive Programs & Head Coach
Coaching and training experience includes the CSS Club for the Romanian National Championships; athletes competing at National Championship; and the Campbell River Gymnastics Association, British Columbia. Coaching at Halton Hills Gymnastics Centre for 14 years.
- Coaching gymnastics for 19 years
- Honours degree in Physical Education from the Western University of Timisoara, Romania
- Former Romanian National Level gymnast. NCCP Level 2 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (Certified)
- NCCP Level 2 Trampoline (Certified)
- NCCP Level 3 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (Theory & Practical)
Coaching Philosophy
“Believing in the girls and believing in them to be the best they can be as gymnasts and not what I can be as a coach, and along with that comes encouragement.”
What I Bring to HHGC
“My character. I bring fun, fitness and fundamentals along with my experience, maturity and the ability to make everything fun.”
Xhosa Baker
Assistant Head Coach
Xhosa started gymnastics at HHGC more than 15 years ago and she grew up to be a high-performance Level 10 gymnast. She also did high-performance Acro Gymnastics competing at some international competitions representing Canada. She brings more than 8 years of coaching experience, more than 15-year of experience as a gymnast and a big smile every day. We believe that our gymnasts will have a great role model and leader in growing in this beautiful sport of gymnastics.
C.J. Calvert
Competitive Coach
CJ is from Michigan, USA. He has been coaching since he was 14 years old, and is a former USAG competitive level 7 gymnast. CJ brings dedication and commitment to the gym. His coaching philosophy: “Every gymnast should have independence, perseverance and confidence to meet their goals”. What CJ brings to HHGC, in his own words; I strive to enable those traits, while holding myself, as well as the gymnast, accountable for the ac-tions that lead to success. “I have the tenacity to lead, the confidence to train, and the passion to bring the joy of the sport to life”.
Shannon Weslake Rec Supervisor Shannon has been a part of the HHGC community since she started gymnastics at three years old. She began her coaching career with us as a CIT and is now a Level 2 Trained coach in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics as well as Trampoline. She left HHGC in 2015 to attend Laurentian University in Sudbury where she became a fully certified teacher. Shannon returned to HHGC in 2020 and has coached both competitive and recreational athletes since coming back. She is passionate about the sport and enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with others as one of our Sr. Coaches.
Taylor McLaughlin
Jr. Rec Coordinator / Birthday Party Supervior
