Calisthenics coach awarded

A local calisthenics coach from Moorabool has received top honours, being named Coach of the Year in her division.

Pentland Calisthenics College Junior Coach Dannae Stewart was recently awarded the Calisthenics Victoria 2022 Coach of the Year Premiere – Division 7.

Each year, Calisthenics Victoria have a raft of awards that are presented at their Celebrating Calisthenics Event. However in 2023 this event was not held; instead they presented the 2022 award recipients at various State Championship competitions. The nominations come in, and a very complicated rubric decides the winner.

Calisthenics Victoria CEO Jennifer McIntyre presented the award to Dannae at the conclusion of the Division 8 Seniors State Championship competition held in Bendigo.

“In 2022 this coach (Dannae) coached Sub Juniors and Intermediates, as well as providing support across other sections as needed. A seasoned Pupil Skills Coach and long running Solo/Duo coach, she has successfully coached two Bronze Medallists and also the first Silver Medallist participant at her club (Pentland).” Ms McIntyre said.

Whilst successful, Dannae is always focused on the performer, their growth, and experiences. She sets goals with pupils for all their items, and works hard with them in hopes of achieving them.

Dannae works with performers to help them improve and develop their skills while ensuring they develop a strong love for the sport (calisthenics) and create unbreakable bonds with their teammates.

On accepting the award, she said it was the result of hard work from a range of people, not just herself.

“Last year was a pretty hard year, and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did without the help of quite a few people. To Alana (Olthof) and Lisa (Roberts), thank you for all that you did to support me (Section/Costume Managers)…also my assistant coaches Sarah, Tahnee, Chelsea, and Kelsey,” Ms Stewart said.

“To the Pentland Committee (thank you) for letting me coach two amazing groups – I was thankful to be a part of both their journeys. To the Calisthenics Victoria Coaching Committee, thank you for the award – it is an honour. Calisthenics is a big part of my life, and I wouldn’t have the friendships that I do without it.”

Dannae commenced at Pentland as a Tiny at the age of three. Her journey as a coach began in 2012, when she joined the Tinies Coaching Team as a helper.

She worked as a helper at various sections over the years before completing her Coaching Cadetship and then gaining her Level 1 Coach accreditation in 2017.

She has co-coached and assisted alongside a number of Pentland Coaches before taking on a Senior Coaching position (Juniors) in 2020. All at Pentland are extremely proud of Dannae, and thrilled that she has been awarded 2022 Coach of the Year.