Camille with some girls in 1999


Camille at:
Commonwealth Games 1994


Dr. Calista Ward

 

Your Coaching Team

 

Camille Martens

For Camille's personal webpage please go to:
http://camille.rgstars.net

 

Camille founded the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in the fall of 1997. 

 

As an athlete she was Provincial and National Champion for many years (as both a junior and senior).   She was Canada’s most medaled athlete at the 1994 Commonwealth Games winning 5 medals.  A shining star on the grand prix circuit , Camille was Canada’s only rhythmic representative at the 1996 Olympic Games.  During this time she had exposure to the world’s best rhythmic gymnastics training centres and worked with world renowned coaches, choreographers, ballet masters and club administrators. 

 

During her 15 years of coaching experience, Camille’s work has touched children and adults, of recreational to international caliber.  She is a course facilitator for Gymnastics Canada, an NCCP level 3 certified coach and a National level judge.  She has created and developed course curriculums, consistently coaching Provincial and National Champions and Finalists and international competitors.  She has written, directed and produced many profound and spectacular show pieces and productions.         

 

Camille’s passion for movement, music, rhythm, expression and excellence has enabled her to light a similar fire in the hearts of those she works with.  Her authentic approach to coaching, original choreography style and intrinsic vision for the future of each person who crosses her path, have been the keys to making Okanagan Rhythmics what it is today. 

 

Camille's workshops and camps for athletes, artists and parents are informative, profound and inspiring.  Her choreography for artistic gymnastics, dance groups, rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating have unique flare and shine with her captivating creative spark. 

 

To hire Camille for choreography, to speak at your event or for private workshops please view her personal website:

http://camille.rgstars.net

 

Dr. Calista Ward
Training:
M.D. (U of Calgary)
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Registered Clinical Counselor
Completed RAD ballet training

Applicable qualifications:
Medical: Understanding of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, health, wellness, preventative medicine.
Psychological: Understanding of athletic peak performance criteria, managing anxiety, motivation, overcoming fear.
Ballet: ability to teach some of RG’s most coveted skills and techniques

More about Calista’s heart – in her words:

  • I have a passion for girls and for artistic sports.
  • Have been involved in high-performance athletics for 5 years.
  • I love teaching, but not solely at a recreational level as seeing excellence inspires me.
  • I love working with girls who are serious about what they are doing, and partnering with them to help them be all that they can be.
  • I have had experience with the negative 'darker' side of gymnastics - and witnessed abuse in various forms (physical, verbal, emotional). That has motivated me to want to be a part of a positive force in gymnastics.
  • I have had a chance to watch the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club - have seen the difference that Camille makes, and the way that she pushes the girls to the limits of their abilities and beyond with joy.
  • I realize that in gymnastics the option now exists to have girls achieve their potential in a loving, supportive, and challenging atmosphere in this club, and would love to be able to help facilitate that in any way I can.

 

 Brie-Anne MacPherson
Brie coached with us full time for several years. 

She is now at Uvic and does guest coaching with our team.

Brie-Anne is a Level 1 certified coach and has been coaching for Okanagan Rhythmics for 2 years.  She coaches all level of gymnasts from beginners to our elite national stream athletes.

Brie was a strong member of our competitive team for many years.  She trained at an elite level (as much as 35hrs/week), was a provincial champion and she represented our club at many events including: Provincials, Westerns, Nationals, and Internationals.  Brie was even invited to the most prestigious event in the country – Elite Canada!  After high school, Brie attended university at the International Study Center in East Sussex, England.  She has also studied at the University of British Columbia and plans on continuing her studies at the University of Victoria in the near future. On returning to Canada, she had a strong urge to reconnect with the gym. Her passion for the sport and our club and the joy and purpose she feels when involved inspired her to stay to join our coaching team.  She also decided to return to the sport competitively for the 2006-2007 season, becoming the Level 6C Western Canadian Champion. 

 

Rachel Martens
Fulltime for the 2006-2007 season
Currently joins as a guest coach and artitic consultant
Rachel offers a plentitude of skills that will enrich the level of instruction at Okanagan Rhythmics.  The excellence and diversity of her training and awareness will benefit our athletes:

  • graduated with honours from the BFA Acting Conservatory Program, at the University of Alberta
  • performed in over 30 professional productions
  •  worked for Cirque Du Soleil
  • has diverse and extensive dance training  in ballet, jazz, modern, contact improve…
  • accomplished musician having studied voice and piano for twelve years each
  • studied Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore, India with Sri K. Pattabi Jois

She will be facilitating athlete development in many areas including:

goal setting, planning, focusing, overcoming obstacles, discipline, confidence, nutrition, alignment, flexibility, strength, show production, expression, dance, drama, yoga and movement