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 with a BB in Recreation and Leisure Management. During his degree, Martin developed and piloted the Fun Fitness programme which is still at the core of what we do here at School Fitness.

Martin spent about 4 years working with underprivileged youth across Cork after college. He then set up School Fitness Ireland to help promote a healthy lifestyle to children from the earliest days in school.

As the company has grown, Martin continues to coach regularly, delivering Fun & Fitness self defence, karate, boxaerobics and gymnastics in primary and secondary schools

Gill

HR & Coaches Manager
My role with School Fitness Ireland includes coaching Gymnastics, Boxercise & Fun Fitness in schools in the Munster area.
I am also responsible for the ongoing recruitment and upskilling of both our new and existing coaches nationwide. I have been a member of the School Fitness Ireland team since September 2019.

Throughout my 10 years of experience working in the fitness industry, I have always been passionate about the early uptake of exercise and activity for children. To me it is very important that it becomes a normal part of the daily life of children and something they will keep up throughout their lives.
This comes from the many years I spent as a member of the Irish Gymnastics Squad, starting at a very young age and the positive impact and influence 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 three times!), football coaching, and FAI camps, attracted me to School Fitness Ireland.

Jane

Coach
My name is Jane. I started my gymnastics career at the age of 8. I retired from competitive gymnastics at 16 years. I am a qualified gymnastics coach with over 25 years experience ranging from recreational, artistic and disabilities. Gymnastics has and will always be a passion of mine

Megan

Coach
Based in Cork, I coach Dance, Boxaerobics 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.

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

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.

Sean

Coach
I have been working in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years. I have worked as a personal trainer, yoga teacher, strength and conditioning coach and kids camp coordinator. I have worked with fat loss, muscle building clients, teams, athletes & MMA combat athletes at both amateur and professional level. I have competed in many sports MMA, Karate, BJJ, CrossFit and bodybuilding competitions. I have a huge passion for personal development and I'm always striving to improve my knowledge around coaching.

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. This pushed me to complete further study, obtaining a QQI level 6 certificate in health promotion.

My role in School Fitness Ireland involves coaching gymnastics, boxaerobics, fun & fitness, dance, athletics and team building. I also facilitate RSE and sexual health workshops in both primary and secondary schools across the country

Cathal

Coach
Based in Cork, I am currently in my fourth 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.

Dillon

Coach
Hi! I have worked with School Fitness Ireland since 2021 as an assistant camp coach. I also help out with the IT and maintain our website.

I started karate at the age of 5 and still train today, competing both nationally and internationally.

I enjoy working with children and helping them to find a way to keep fit and healthy while having fun in the process. Fitness doesn't have to be a struggle!

Sam

Coach
I'm based in Dublin and have gained experience coaching over the last 6 years, being an instructor in karate and achieving my bachelor's degree in Sport Science and Health from DCU in 2023, which provided me the opportunity to engage in studies on fundamental movement skills, health literacy projects and practical coaching experiences.

I have long had a passion for sports education and the impact it can have on people's lives, particularly early on in life. I am chiefly driven by the ambition to motivate and inspire young people to develop their own interest in pursuing a sport or physical activity that they truly enjoy as well as make a lasting and meaningful imprint on their lives

Eoin

Coach
I am based in Clare. I graduated from Athlone Institute of Technology in 2019, where I obtained a BSc in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology.

During my degree, I spent 6 months coaching Fundamental Movement Skills in many schools across Clare. This gave me an insight into how important the PE curriculum is for overall health and wellbeing, along with being a fun positive experience for kids.

My background is in GAA and I have coached hurling, football and ladies football from U6 to senior level with club and county. I started coaching when I was 16 and I always strive for continuous learning and improvement.

Liam

Coach
I have been involved in Martial Arts from the age of 12, beginning with Kenpo Karate and eventually moving on to both Shotokan Karate and Escrima.

I began coaching Martial Arts over 15 years ago in Westmeath, teaching ages ranging from 5 up to senior level. Since 2021, I have been teaching Martial Arts programmes in both primary and secondary schools. As a coach, I have always wanted to learn new skills and in 2019 I became a coach with the FAI working in primary schools along with Summer camps.

My objective as a coach is to keep learning and to always create a fun and creative environment for children to enjoy the benefits of participating in sports.

Des

Coach
Based in Limerick, I have 15 years coaching experience with underage school teams and youth soccer teams, through the FAI coaching pathway programmes. I'm a keen runner and have completed several marathons and like to spend my spare time supporting local sporting events.

I joined School Fitness Ireland to encourage active sporting programmes in schools to help promote wellbeing and fun in sporting activities in a non competitive environment. I believe sports should be for all, and be inclusive, not exclusive.

Joe

Coach
I graduated from WIT in 2017, receiving a BSc in Sports Coaching and Performance. Studying elements such as coach education, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and sports psychology.

I have over 5 years experience delivering various fitness classes which incorporate circuit style classes, strength and conditioning, bodyweight workouts, spin classes etc.

I've always had an interest in fitness and working with children, but really found a passion for it while coaching GAA in primary schools around London during college. School Fitness Ireland allows me to combine both of my passions.

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.

Lisa

Admin
I am based in Donoughmore, Co. Cork. My role is to help answer your queries on what we offer here at School Fitness Ireland as well as organising your bookings and coaches calendars.

A few years ago before I had my son, I worked as a personal trainer and group instructor. My passion was to help others be the best version of themselves .It's a privilege to be a small part of their journey. It's amazing to see the positive effects exercise has both mentally and physically for people. It can be life-changing!

Fun fact about me: I didn't know what I wanted to do when I left school so I have a Honours Bachelor of Business and Management degree from MTU. I am also a qualified beauty therapist. At the age of 28 I qualified as a Personal Trainer and Group Instructor - my greatest and true passion in life.

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