Meet our team...

We are proud of our coaches and want you to meet them!

Martin

Founder
Martin is the founder of School Fitness Ireland. Martin qualified from the BB in Recreation and Leisure Management Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in 2010. During his time in WIT he developed the Fun And Fitness Programme which Cork Sports Partnership funded while he piloted it in schools across the county.

From 2010 to 2014 he worked as a Youth Project worker for Foroige, whilst still delivering the Fun and Fitness programme, along with various martial arts and sports workshops to schools. In 2016 after returning from travelling to Australia, Martin set up School Fitness Ireland.

Gill

Head coach
My roles with School Fitness Ireland include coaching Gymnastics, Boxercise & Fun and Fitness in schools in the Munster area and the ongoing recruitment and training up of new coaches nationwide.

I have always been passionate about the early uptake of exercise and activity for children so that it becomes a normal part of their daily life and something they keep up for many years.

This comes from the many years I spent as a member of the Irish Gymnastics Squad, starting at a young age and the positive impact that has had on my life.
Rachel, a School Fitness Ireland Coach

Rachel

Coach
I have always enjoyed fitness and dance having learned ballet and tap dancing as a child. I furthered my dance career into Salsa and Latin American dancing and have now over 12 years experience of teaching Salsa and Zumba dancing as well as 6 years experience of teaching Fitsteps. Before that I worked as a nurse in a trauma and emergency unit in the UK and I have an MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice.

I combine my two experiences of Nursing and Dance by lecturing in Health, Fitness, Sexual Health and Drug and Alcohol abuse to all school ages while also teaching Zumba, Fitsteps and the Fun and Fitness programme.

Damien

Coach
I qualified in 2018 with a BSc in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology from the Athlone Institute of Technology. I have worked on various Fundamental Movement Skills Projects across Westmeath, Roscommon, and Laois.

This along with my passion for creating a healthier lifestyle through fun for children and my own background in running marathons (Dublin marathon twice), football coaching, and FAI camps, attracted me to School Fitness Ireland.

Vivienne

Coach
I am from Co. Clare. I am currently in my 3rd year of study for a degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I am very interested in the link between mental and physical activity. I coach Zumba, Yoga, and Fun and Fitness and absolutely love bringing these programs to children and young people in Clare, Limerick and Galway.

Rachel

Coach
Based in Cork, I teach Irish Dance, Zumba, Boxercise and Gymnastics. I have been coaching and managing camps since 2018 and I am also in the third year of the B.Ed programme.

In my personal life, I am a performer at The Booley House Show/Hup na Houra Show and have competed at world champion level. I also performed on the show An Jig Gig and The Late Late Toy Show. I was also named champion at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil 4 hand ceili.

Michael

Coach
I am based in Galway and have over 9 years experience in the fitness industry. I studied Sports & Recreation in IT Sligo and qualified as a personal trainer in 2013.

I am passionate about health and fitness and I want to help people realise the benefits of a strong and healthy lifestyle. I am currently coaching gymnastics, yoga, boxercise and athletics to the children and I love seeing the benefit and joy the kids get out of exercise.
Gayle, a School Fitness Ireland Coach

Gayle

Coach
I first came to yoga at 18 years of age in an effort to improve flexibility and posture. I soon discovered the benefits of yoga far extend beyond the physical, and after 10 years of practice, I travelled to India to take my first 200hr YTT in 2012 and then completed a further 300hrs of training in Ireland. My background in drama has greatly informed how I teach yoga. I find the most enjoyable and accessible way for kids to practice yoga is through the use of story and sound.

As a result, children’s creativity and imaginations are nurtured alongside the numerous health benefits of physical movement.

John

Coach
Based in Mitchelstown, covering Cork Limerick and Tipperary, I joined the School Fitness Ireland team during their summer camps in 2017, and worked part time with them over the next few months. In the 2018/2019 academic year I started teaching Karate, Boxercise and Fun and Fitness to primary and secondary schools.

I really enjoy when a young person who was nervous of doing a class at the start begins to thrive and develop and realizes that they can be fit without needing to compete.

Laura

Coach
I graduated from DCU in 2020, obtaining a BSc. in Sports Science and Health. Over the course of my studies I carried out research projects investigating physical activity levels in young people, with a focus on motivation in children and teenagers during exercise.

The content of my course combined with this research drove my passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and young people and the importance of mental and physical wellbeing.

I am based in Dublin and I’m currently coaching boxercise and gymnastics.

Cathal

Coach
Based in Cork, I am currently in my second year studying Sport and Exercise Management in MTU.

My background is in Taekwon-Do which I have trained in since I was six years old. I coach Taekwon-Do, boxercise and fun and fitness.

I’m passionate about exercise and believe that fitness can be fun and that there’s a sport out there for everyone.

Dean

Coach
I have been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2007, I compete at National and International level. I’m am Owner/ Head Coach at Shapeshifters BJJ academy and currently head kids Coach and coordinator at SBG D24. I have furthered my education on body mechanics and understanding of training programs, nutrition and recovery. I have a PFI cert in Gym instruction and completed a 2 year internship with the Irish Strength Institute (ISI).

However my main passion is teaching Kids. As a parent myself, my main focus is to help children to have a good and fun relationship with exercise.

Sinead

Coach
Based in Cork, I graduated in 2017 from IT Tralee with a BSc honours in Health and Leisure with Massage. During lockdown I studied a Post-Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion & Wellness Practice online with IT Sligo.

I worked in gyms for a good few years teaching fitness classes and personal training but decided to venture into childcare as working with children was always a passion of mine.

I joined School Fitness Ireland to combine my experience with children and fitness and I teach gymnastics and fun & fitness.

Jennifer

Coach
I am based in the South/South East. My main background is gymnastics which I did throughout my childhood before becoming a coach in my teens. I also have a strong background in athletics and have coached in a number of roles and clubs all the way to international level in both sports.

This passion led me to complete my BSc Sports Coaching and Performance in 2016 in WIT and I recently began an MSc in Sports and Clinical Biomechanics as I strongly believe that one should never stop learning or moving in life and I am very keen to pass that mindset on to the kids I coach.

Peter

Coach
Based in Cork I am currently in my third year at MTU and I'm studying sport and exercise management.

I am qualified in exercise to music, a qualified gym instructor, and personal trainer. I've played rugby, cycling and GAA up to minor level.

I enjoy coaching and helping children with their physical activity and fundamental movement skills.

Megan

Coach
Based in Cork, I coach Dance, Gymnastics and Yoga.
I started Dance at the age of 5, I later went onto study Performing Arts and Dance at Northumbria University.

I started off my Professional Dance Career on Cruises Liners, I travelled around the world performing in many production shows.
I had the privilege of working with some fantastic choreographers such as Al Blackstone (SYTYCD)

I later moved onto gain my level 1 in British Gymnastics and my RYT 200h Yoga Teacher Qualification.
I love sharing my passion for health and well-being and creating fun ways to help children stay active.
Sinead O Brien, Coach, Gymnastic, Fun Fitness

Sinead

Coach
I am based in Cork. I graduated from SETU with a BA Honours Degree in Sports and Recreation Management. I've always been drawn to this line of work.

I joined the School Fitness Ireland Team in 2022 and coach Gymnastics and Fun FItness.
Meeting new faces and visiting schools are parts of my job that I really enjoy!

I've always coaches children and enjoy it thoroughly.

Sinead

Coach
With experience as a primary school teacher, I am currently studying Exercise and Sport Psychology.

I'm a firm believer in the importance of physical activity and movement for children's overall health and well being.

I really enjoy introducing children to skills and movements of sports and exercise and watching their confidence grow.
Enjoyment and confidence are essential to pave the way for continued movement throughout their lives.

The team behind the scenes...

Abi

Administration
I’m based in Lissycasey Co. Clare and I am head of all things Admin team here at School Fitness Ireland. I am here to answer your questions, provide further information, and to accomodate all booking requests.

I feel very passionate about children’s fitness and love seeing the positive effect it has on them both physically and mentally.

Fun fact about myself – I did Irish Dancing from the age of 4 until 16, competing in Feis’ all over the UK and Ireland.

Kerry

Marketing
Based in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, I take care of the Marketing at School Fitness Ireland. That means, I get to be creative by putting together advertisements accross our social media platforms and email as well as interact with all of our like-minded, amazing followers and subscribers.

Like the rest of our team, I am extremely passionate on children and young people’s physical and mental health and how they are very much linked. As such, I love my job, putting the very important message out there – to have fitness through fun with School Fitness Ireland!
Megan Marketing for School Fitness Ireland

Megan

Marketing
I'm looking after Marketing for School Fitness Ireland from Co. Limerick.

I love how much I've learned about the school system across Ireland, along using my creative skills to creative videos, animations and advertisements for our events!

As someone who enjoys fitness myself, I am very excited to be a part of putting the foundations in place for children to maintain their health for the rest of their lives.


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