A young male gymnast in a black and orange uniform performs an exercise on parallel bars in an indoor gym.

ABOUT JAMES

More than a coach.

For more than 20 years I've been helping people discover what they're capable of through gymnastics.

From preschool sessions to international performance programmes, my goal has always remained the same - to create an environment where every gymnast feels supported, challenged and inspired to become the very best version of themselves.

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1:1 coaching and mentoring

It all starts with one belief.

"A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life."

John Wooden

That quote has shaped my coaching journey for over two decades.

Every child, adult and family who walks through our doors deserves to feel valued, understood and supported. While gymnastics teaches strength, coordination and resilience, I believe its greatest impact is helping people grow in confidence, develop character and realise their own potential.

That's why Mynydd Du Gymnastics exists.

Not simply to teach gymnastics, but to build a community where people can thrive.

A smiling man with glasses and a beard standing on a red gymnastics mat inside a training facility. He is wearing a blue athletic shirt and gray sweatpants with text, with hands in his pockets. The background shows gymnastics equipment like parallel bars, a springboard, and a large banner with geometric designs and the words "Spring Celebrations."

Our Philosophy

To create a safe, supportive, empathetic and knowledgeable environment where every gymnast can follow their own journey towards success, while developing confidence, self-awareness and a lifelong love of movement.

WHY I COACH

At Mynydd Du Gymnastics, our values shape everything we do. They influence how we coach, how we support our gymnasts, and how we build a community that families are proud to be part of.

An orange outline of a medal with a star in the center, above the word "EXCELLENCE" in bold black letters, on a white background.

Understanding every individual and creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.

Outline of two hands holding a heart, with the word "EMPATHY" written below.

Applying the principles of high-performance coaching in a way that's engaging, enjoyable and accessible to everyone.

Icon depicting three orange outlined people with a small orange book or notebook in front of them, above the word 'Community' in bold black letters.

Building relationships that extend beyond gymnastics and creating a club where every family feels they belong.

An orange line drawing of a mountain with a sun rising or setting behind it, and the word "LEGACY" below the mountain with a small orange line underneath.

Creating a lasting, positive impact across North Wales through outstanding coaching, opportunity and community.

Experience that spans every level

For over 20 years I've been fortunate enough to coach across every level of gymnastics.

From introducing toddlers to movement, to developing national finalists and working alongside Olympic and Commonwealth athletes, every experience has shaped the coach I am today.

Highlights include:

✔ Over 20 years coaching experience

✔ British Gymnastics High Performance Coach

✔ National Judge

✔ Former Deputy Head of Men's Artistic Gymnastics at Huntingdon Gymnastics Club

✔ Experience coaching British and Welsh Squad gymnasts

✔ Former owner of Plymouth Community Gymnastics Club

✔ Coach of gymnasts who have medalled at British National Finals and the English Championships

✔ Experience coaching preschool, recreational, performance and adult gymnastics

✔ Extensive experience supporting children with ADHD and Autism

Qualifications & Professional Development

Learning never stops.

I'm passionate about continually developing as both a coach and a leader so I can provide the very best environment for every gymnast.

Some of my qualifications include:

✔ British Gymnastics High Performance Coach

✔ Professional Practice in High Performance Coaching (PPiHPC)

✔ British Gymnastics Level 4 Senior Club Coach

✔ National Judge

✔ Safeguarding & Protecting Children

✔ Emergency First Aid at Work

✔ Equality & Diversity

✔ BA (Hons) Design

These qualifications help shape not only how I coach gymnastics, but how I build positive, supportive environments where people can thrive.

Coaching beyond gymnastics

A coach gives a speech to young athletes, reading from a paper, inside an indoor gymnastics facility. The athletes are gathered around a table with a gold wrapped present, some eyeing the coach. The background features gymnastics mats and equipment.

One of the things I'm most proud of isn't a medal or a qualification.

It's seeing people leave the gym more confident than when they arrived.

Throughout my career I've loved mentoring coaches, supporting families and helping young people overcome challenges both inside and outside the gym.

I've worked with children of all abilities, including many with ADHD and Autism, and I've seen first-hand how powerful gymnastics can be in developing confidence, resilience and life skills that extend far beyond sport.

That's the impact I hope Mynydd Du Gymnastics will continue to have across North Wales.

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  • "James built an excellent coach-athlete relationship with my son, earning his respect through consistency, fairness and a genuine commitment to his development."

    - Parent

  • "He has a natural ability to motivate young people and bring out their best, both in terms of performance and personal confidence."

    - Parent

  • "James is dedicated, organised and clearly passionate about gymnastics and the development of young athletes."

    - Nikki Scarfe

  • "He pushes every athlete to achieve their best while ensuring their physical and mental wellbeing always comes first."

    - Former colleague

A young gymnast performing a handstand on parallel bars in a gymnastics training facility, watched by a coach.
A group of young boys and a coach gather around a large wrapped gift, with one boy in a gymnastics uniform. They are inside a gymnastics training facility, with mats and equipment in the background. The coach appears to be reading from a book, and th
A man in a dark suit and glasses standing next to a young athlete wearing a sports uniform and a medal at an indoor gymnastics venue.
A collection of thank you cards arranged on a table in a cozy living room. The cards feature various designs, photos, and handwritten messages.
Three men standing together, smiling, in front of a black curtain. The man in the middle is wearing a black athletic jacket and black pants with white socks, and appears to be a cyclist. The man on the left is dressed in a navy suit with a large tie,
A group of children and two adults smiling and celebrating at an indoor event, with a birthday cake or a decorated dessert in the foreground.
A close-up photo of three young boys smiling at an indoor event, with a large, colorful arena or stadium structure illuminated in red, purple, and blue lights in the background.
Two men standing together inside a gym, both wearing black and gray jackets, with one man having curly hair and the other with glasses and a beard. They are smiling and appear to be happy.
A gymnast is performing an upside-down handstand on the parallel bars, with a coach supporting him from below, in a gymnastics training facility.
A man and a dog practicing in a dog training or agility gym; the dog is mid-air, jumping off a table, and the man is crouched on the table, holding the dog with gloves.
A man standing on a red gymnastics floor in a gymnasium, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a blue t-shirt, gray sweatpants, and white socks. Gymnastics equipment, including a balance beam and parallel bars, are visible in the background, with a la
Group of four young boys and one adult man standing outdoors, smiling, with medals around their necks, posing for a photo in front of an orange banner at an event.
A group of young gymnasts and their coaches gathered around a table in an indoor gymnasium, looking at a clipboard or a tablet, likely reviewing scores or results.
Two young men taking a selfie at a sports event. The man on the right has glasses and red hair and beard, and is sticking out his tongue. The man on the left has curly dark hair and is smiling. They are seated in an arena with blue seats and are in f
Five people standing on a gymnasium floor, smiling at the camera, with two adults and three children, all dressed in athletic clothing, in a sports center with a basketball hoop and scoreboard in the background.
A young female gymnast preparing for her routine on the vault apparatus, with a coach standing nearby at an indoor gymnastics competition.
A gymnast practicing on a vaulting table at a gymnastics competition, with a coach kneeling beside him and other gymnasts in the background. Signs indicate it is the British Gymnastics Championships.
A group of five people seated in a row on a red bench at an indoor sports arena, with black curtains behind them and a sign that reads 'Vault' above. The group includes four men and one woman, all smiling or making playful gestures towards the camera

Ready to join the Mynydd Du community?

Whether you're looking for your child's very first gymnastics class or hoping to take your performance to the next level, we'd love to welcome you.

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