Board Members

Adam Coventry, Chair

 Having lived in Rushcliffe for a number of years, I am a
huge supporter of the rich and diverse sporting culture of the local area.
The Notts Gymnastics Academy has always been a corner stone
of the local sporting setup and it has been a great opportunity for my
two daughters to spend a significant amount of their time at the club
over the last few years.

I work locally for the Boots Company in their Supply Chain
operations and I play most of my sport as a member and captain of
the Boots Rugby club at the Lady Bay Sports facility.

As I have begun to get to know the Club, I have seen what a great
organisation it is, with a phenomenal brand, supporting a broad range
of gymnastics and underpinned by a very professional team.
There seems to be a very exciting future evolving and it is great to have
become involved in contributing to its direction.

I will be using my experience and expertise to lead on
Communications and Marketing within the Academy.

Joanna Jackson

 An ex-competitive gymnast myself (Artistic and Sports Acrobatics), I now have two young daughters just starting out at the Academy and it is a delight to see them developing a love for the sport that I enjoyed so much.

Beyond a deeply ingrained love of gymnastics, it is seeing the difference in all round confidence, coordination and discipline that a passion for sport can bring that makes me determined to support the Academy and ensure its long term viability.

With a mathematical background, my career has seen me working in Financial Services analysing and exploring new opportunities as well as consulting on the operational effectiveness of businesses. In addition I have served as a Governor in a small rural primary school for the last 10 years.

These skills and experiences I believe can benefit the Academy and specifically enable me to lead the Finance Committee.

Having spent the first fifteen years of my working life as a Qualified Accountant across several industries, I took a career break when my eldest son started school. However, I am not one to sit around and have always wanted to give back to the communities I am within, which led to me training as a Teaching Assistant, including supporting those with special needs, which I did for a number of years.

Both my sons got involved in gymnastics from an early age and having spent a lot of time in waiting rooms, I initially volunteered to help the with General Gymnastics, but this soon led to me qualifying as a MAG Level 2 coach and taking on my own squad at Rugby Gymnastics Club. Alongside this I have been Rugby Gymnastic Club’s Accountant for the last six years.

Both my boys moved their training to Notts Gymnastics Academy in 2019 and since mid-2020, I have had the opportunity to join the great coaching team here as well.

I have seen the positive impact Gymnastics can have on children from all backgrounds, teaching them, amongst other things, respect, teamwork and self-belief. I am keen to use my experience from both in and outside of Gymnastics to support the club, coaches and gymnasts to continue to progress and improve.

I am a qualified accountant currently working for local government in Nottingham. I have also worked with private organisations and central government enabling me to bring a raft of knowledge regarding business sustainability and financial strategies. I am a dedicated, tenacious and determined to do the right thing for the organisations I represent.

I have always had a passion for sport, believing it brings people of all abilities and walks of life together. As a child I swam competitively but also enjoyed general gymnastics and horse riding. I became reacquainted with gymnastics when my godson's took up the sport and I saw how it can help children learn discipline, respect, dedication and become team players. All qualities that can serve them well in later life. When the opportunity arose to become part of this elite Academy and help drive it's already outstanding performance, it was an opportunity too good to not take up.

Nila Bowdler, Gymnastics 

Gymnastics has been a key part of my life for the past 30+ years, starting out as a regional level competitive gymnast, before embarking on my coaching journey in my mid-teens. Since the age of 17 I have always had a hand in coaching, whether that be at university (where I studied Sport & Exercise Science at Loughborough University) with a local recreational club once a week, or investing in my passion to develop my understanding & achieve my high-performance coach qualification. I have worked in several clubs in various capacities - my first 15 years solely giving my time voluntary, from being a coach, leading a coaching team, providing judging support, running events, in a mentee capacity, providing administrative support, or in a management role as I am now: Academy Director at NGA. I bring a unique set of gymnastics specific experiences having gained valuable insight throughout my time working across various roles in gymnastics. 

I have truly loved working with children in some capacity nearly all my adult life. I spent 3 summers at Camp America during my University years, and during a travelling trip around Africa I dedicated a few weeks helping in an orphanage, supporting resident children with their development & caring for those who were poorly.

I have worked with many people both inside & outside of gymnastics, and myself experienced changing cultures throughout my time in the sport. I have a strong belief in a positive mindset and approach to life. I have and continue to build a varied set of skills; all with children being at the core focus and purpose of my work, whether that be directly or indirectly depending on the job. I look forward to continue using my skills to further support and drive the strategic direction and continually develop the Academy to be the best gymnastics club it can be.

Katy Cuddington

I began my journey within gymnastics when I was 4 years old, and nearly 40 years later, my love affair is still going strong! During this time, I have experienced the wonderful sport in many roles - as a gymnast, coach, judge, mentor, tutor, assessor, and parent. Throughout my time and varying experiences, I have gained an excellent understanding of both elite and recreational gymnastics. Alongside my knowledge and passion for gymnastics, inclusion and inclusivity is very important to me, and I have delivered for the FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) at international colloquiums on this subject on several occasions.

I live in West Bridgford with my husband and three children. We are an active family, and all enjoy a range of sports and activities. I run and take part in workouts, and my husband enjoys cycling, walking, and running. Our children take part in a variety of sports, including gymnastics. All three of my children attend Notts Gymnastics as recreational gymnasts, and I have seen first-hand the benefits of them being involved within the club; not just their ability in attempting and performing gymnastics skills, but also their increased confidence, the ability and opportunity to make new friends, their love of being active, their support of and empathy for other children, and being excited for and celebrating with their friends when they achieve.

I have over twenty years of professional experience working in gymnastics, and I have strengths in working with partner organisations, diversity and inclusion, programme development and management, and managing teams. I worked for British Gymnastics in the Education department for 4 years and the Participation department (as Recreational Gymnastics Manager) for 4 years.  I currently work for England Rugby in a Women and Girls role – something that links in with my passion for inclusivity across sport. I am an active tutor and assessor for both British Gymnastics and UK Coaching, and I regularly deliver courses including Safeguarding, Inclusive Coaching, Gymnastics Helper, and Levels 1 – 3 (General Gymnastics).

I strongly believe everyone should have access and opportunity to enjoy gymnastics, and I am excited use my experience to influence in this important area to ensure high quality, fully accessible, totally engaging, and safe gymnastics continues to grow and flourish within Notts!