Iolanda Coffa: Principal Coach

Iolanda commenced calisthenics at the age of two at Hawthorn Calisthenics.  She was a member of all teams, competed in numerous graceful and physical solos and also completed all Pupil Skills examinations.  As an Intermediate, class numbers diminished at Hawthorn and Iolanda moved to Ashgrove to compete as an Intermediate and Senior. But her heart was always at Hawthorn and soon after completing her coaching qualifications, she was back at Hawthorn where she has remained ever since.

Iolanda is the Principal Coach of the Hawthorn Calisthenics College.  In 2021, Iolanda will coach the Tinies, Juniors & Inters and will Co-Coach the Seniors & Masters sections. She is also the head coach of Pupil Skills and solos and duos.

In 2016-2017 Iolanda was named Victorian Skills Coach of the Year and in 2018 was named Victorian Coach of the Year.
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Iolanda is a registered member of the VCCA and holds a Level 1 Coaching Accreditation. She also has Level 2 First Aid and is a registered Gymnastics Coach.  Iolanda has completed her Diploma of Teaching and has worked as a Kindergarten and Kinder Gym teacher.  Currently she works as a Sports Administrator.  In addition, Iolanda is an accredited examiner with the ACF Calisthenics Skills Program.

Jenna Lang: Coach

Jenna first began calisthenics at age six at Warrnambool Calisthenics Club.  After 12 years with the club she moved to Melbourne to pursue university studies and has competed with Hawthorn ever since, having loved her very warm welcome in 2009.

Jenna is a qualified physiotherapist in addition to her Level 1 Coaching Accreditation, and she has worked as a presenter for the Victorian Calisthenics Coaching Association educating coaches on topics such as warm up and strength and conditioning.  She has participated extensively in the Skills Examination Program, completing her Bronze Medal in 2014 and her Silver Medal in 2017.

In 2021, Jenna is Co-Coaching the Masters section and assisting with pupil skills.

Nicole Elsegood: Coach

Nicole started calisthenics at the age of 5 at Regency Park Calisthenics College. She was in Inters when she became involved in assisting with the section, and started her Pupil Skills to help towards her coaching cadetship. After 14 years with the club she took a year off for her studies, and then started again the following year with Hawthorn Calisthenics as it was closer to home.

​Having experienced the wonderful culture at Hawthorn she has since restarted her Pupil skills training and completed her Level 1.  In 2020, Nicole will be coaching the CaliFit Recreational Masters team. Nicole also has her Level 2 First Aid and is a qualified physiotherapist.

Sarah Halbisch: Coach
Sarah commenced calisthenics at the age of two at Phoenix Calisthenics, and competed there from Tinies to Sub - Juniors until it closed in 1991. She competed at Jeaden Calisthenics in 1992, before Karoo Calisthenics opened in 1993 and eventually went from Juniors to Seniors here. She competed in numerous graceful and physical solos, represented Victoria in the State team and also completed all Pupil Skills examinations.

Sarah commenced coaching at Karoo in 1999 and was the Principal Coach of Karoo Calisthenics College from 2015, until its closure at the end of 2019.  Sarah has also been a part of the Victoria State Team coaching team in  2014 & 2020.  In 2020, Sarah joined the coaching team at Hawthorn and in 2021, Sarah will coach the Subbies and will Co-Coach the Seniors section. She is also a coach of Pupil Skills and solos.
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Sarah is a registered member of the VCCA and holds a Level 1 Coaching Accreditation, and commenced her Level 2 Coaching Accreditation. She is passionate about enabling each of her team members to reach their potential and sharing her love of the sport with her teams.

Outside of calisthenics, Sarah studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics, Finance and International Trade and now works for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in the Economic Statistics program.  

Rebecca Mitchell: Assistant Coach

Rebecca began her Calisthenic career at the age of 4 at Blackburn Calisthenics College,  competing in the Tinies and Sub Juniors sections.  She changed clubs as a first year Junior, moving to Box Hill Wesley Calisthenics Club.  Rebecca participated for 30 years as a Junior, Inter, Senior and Master at Box Hill, only taking 3 years off during those years to have her 2 children.

In 1995 Rebecca began helping the younger classes and in 1997 gained her Level 1 Coaching accreditation.  She went on to coach for 8 years at Box Hill in all age sections.  After receiving the Best Club Girl award 6 times, Rebecca was awarded Life Membership to Box Hill.  However, numbers at the club declined, and unfortunately in 2017 Box Hill Wesley folded.  

In 2019 Rebecca joined the Masters at Hawthorn, after her daughter had joined Hawthorn Subbies the year before.  In 2019 she renewed her Level 1 Coaching accreditation and in 2021 assists the Sub Juniors and Juniors sections at Hawthorn.  Rebecca is also First aid trained and is a Primary School Teacher.