Alastair Kendall (Owner)

I do not have a gymnastics background, my love is for Rugby, which I still play regularly. I have followed a fairly windy course to be here in Wandsworth. After a short university career I found myself in the “City” in the late 80s. Through the nineties I plied my trade as an equity analyst/salesman, with a number of city institutions, including Rothschild, UBS Warburg and ABN Amro.

A few years ago I decide that the balance in my life with 2 young kids (Emma and James) was wrong. I am passionate about the health/fitness of kids and began a search for a new challenge in this area. As luck would have it, my wife, Anne was invited to do the PR for the opening of this gym and she immediately knew this was the business we have been looking for.

I became the first TLG franchisee in the UK in February 2003 when I signed for the Kingston/Richmond territory. Since then I have been planning the opening of my new gym in Hampton Hill (we opened in September 2005) and acting as franchise development manager for TLG in the UK. At the end of 2004 I was offered the opportunity to buy this gym. I have greatly enjoyed being involved in the running of Wandsworth, aided but such a great team.

 Kim Scarfe (Gym Director)

When I was 6 years old, my mum put me in a gymnastics class to see how I liked it. It wasn’t until 8 years later that I decided to stop gymnastics, having competed at international elite level as well as well as being team mates with two Olympians.

After gymnastics I stayed active in sports playing basketball and competing in Athletics, which I still do today.

I came over to England from my ‘homeland’ of Los Angeles last year to do a post-graduate diploma in Writing and Performance. I began looking for jobs in England and came across the ad for The Little Gym.

Suddenly all my long forgotten, happy memories of my years in gymnastics came back to me and I was eager to be a part of something that would teach gymnastics and sports to kids in a way that was fun and exciting. I found the Little Gym as a great way to give back to children all the experience and fun of gymnastics and sports which I have loved.

 Relevant Qualifications and Interests:

 BA in English Literature

Post-graduate Diploma in Writing and Performance

First-Aid Children and Babies

Developmental Gymnastics – The Little Gym Europe

NVQ Level 2 and NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education

Running, Scuba Diving, Basketball, Rock Climbing, Travelling

Caroline Auths (Program Director)

Hi everyone, my name is Caroline and I’m from South Africa. Gymnastics has always been a part of my life, from a very young age; I devoted most of my childhood and teens to training and competing at all different levels!!

I’ve always known that my heart was with teaching children and passing on my passion for gymnastics to them. I have been coaching full time for about 7 years now, of which Iv been with The Little Gym since January 2008.

It’s such a privilege for me to be running such an amazing programme, as I truly love children and believe in the benefits that this gymnastics programme provides. I hope to continue teaching and coaching gymnastics for as long as I am physically able.

So I look forward to watching your children grow!!!!

Relevant Qualifications and Interests:

GSL in General Sports Leadership

Level 1, 2 & 3 Women’s and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach

Level 1 and 2 General Gymnastics Coach

Level 1 and 2 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Judge

Level 1 Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Judge

First Aid - Child & Infant CPR (BLS) AED

Tobias Rossberg (Gym Director)

Growing up in Germany close to the mountains, I was just 3 when I had my first experiences in alpine skiing. Since then I’ve always loved alpine skiing and I try to do it often as I can.

Starting early with learning how to ski showed me the importance of developing and growing motor skills from a young age. Apart from skiing I did a lot of other sports, such as athletics, gymnastics, handball and football, and still enjoy an active lifestyle.

My passion for sports inspired me to reach a deeper understanding of body movements and body functions. So I did a M.A. in Sports & Exercise Science. During my time at university I was working part time as an sports instructor for children and younger adults with disabilities. There I discovered that I enjoy teaching and how important it is to focus also on the emotional, social and cognitive development alongside with the physical.

I’m happy having the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge within my work at The Little Gym.

Relevant Qualifications and Interests:

 MA in Sports and Exercise Science

Skiing

Sport

 Nick Greene (Child Development Instructor)

Hello, my name is Nick and I am from London. I am nineteen years old. From a very young age I have been engaged in a sporting environment. I started tennis at the age of 3 up until 13 years old where I changed to squash and badminton.

Even though I am very young I have always had this feeling of wanting to look after younger children to help them progress and do well. This is backed up by the course I am studying. I am a first year student at Gold-smiths University studying a post-graduate degree in education, culture and society. This will lead to a one year teaching degree.

Relevant Qualifications and Interests:

Developmental Gymnastics – TLG Europe

BA in Education, Culture and Society in Progress

Sarah Scarfe (Lead Child Development Instructor)

Hello! I’m Sarah, originally from Los Angeles, moving over here in 2005 to do my MSc in Sport and Exercise Science and have stayed ever since. I have a multi-sport background, mainly in swimming and running, although I did gymnastics when I was younger to follow my older sister’s footsteps.  After realizing gymnastics was not the sport for me, I went on to swim at a national level and then continuing on to compete in Track and Field at a Division 1 University in the United States.

 

I found sport psychology while at University and am currently doing my PhD in sport psychology. All my life I have loved working with children and this job incorporates my love for working with children as well as my interest in health and fitness.  Come and say hello!

 

Relevant Qualifications:

MSc in Sport and Exercise Science

BA in Psychology

Kerry Jerratt (Child Development Instructor)

Hi there, my name is Kerry, originally from the depths of the Cotswold countryside in south west England.  I’ve always loved gymnastics and until I gave up at 16 competed at county level for my club. I was always an active child I was in my school netball hockey and rounder teams.

I then went on to work with children in both instructor roles and play scheme settings in the UK and overseas in holiday clubs.

Combining my interest in gymnastics and working with children led me here to the little gym in summer 2009 and I’m enjoying every minute.

I look forward to meeting you all!!!

Relevant qualifications:

Assistant Gymnastics Coach Certificate

Level 1 Trampoline instructor

GNVQ Level 3 leisure and Tourism

ASA Swimming Teacher Qualification

High Ropes Instructor

Community Sports Leader Award

Level 1 Snorkeling Instructor

Stuart Brown (Child Developement Instructor)

Hi Guys I’m Stuart and I’m from down the road in Twickenham. Sport has always been a big part of my life and I studied it at college and university

Being from the home of English rugby the sport has always been a passion of mine and I played for London Scottish from the age of 8. And later joined Twickenham RFC until I was 18 and left to go to university in Southampton where I studied sport.

I graduated this year and started at the little gym in august. I also enjoy playing tennis and squash at my local clubs and love swimming and playing rounds of golf with my friends when we get time.

I’ve had lots of Jobs coaching children including summer camps with loads of fun activities like canoeing and abseiling I am also an archery coach and used to be Harley bear the mascot at harlequins RFC

I’m thrilled to be at the little gym because the programme really works and being a part of the team to see the children’s confidence and motor skills grow as well as their gymnastics ability is the most rewarding job I could ask for!!!

Relevant Qualification:

BA HONS Sports studies with business

CSLA

HSLA

Archery Leader award

AVCE Leisure and Recreation