About Us

Established in 1970 by Daphne Leeworthy, Our organization has a long-standing history.

In 1995, we opened our purpose-built facility in Derriford, welcoming toddlers, pre-schoolers, and both recreational and competitive gymnasts.

Our coaching staff, many of whom are former gymnasts, have been with us for numerous years, and we take great pride in their accomplishments.

We have Charity status with registered charity number 900367.

We take immense pleasure in having members who are part of the Regional, English, and British Squads, and this year, we are honoured to include an Olympian squad member.

Robin Leeworthy
Director of Coaching.

Robin is a level 5 High Performance Coach, level 3 General Gymnastics, Tumbling and Pre-School coach. She has judged at several World and European Championships and Commonwealth and Olympic Games. She is an examiner for Judges, South West Secretary and South West Women’s technical convenor. Robin is currently in charge of our enrolments alongside coaching everywhere !

Jemma Maskell
Head of Women’s Artistic.

Jemma Maskell is an incredible asset to Plymouth Swallows! She is HPC qualified and balances her responsibilities as Head of Women’s Artistic while also being a mentor and role model. It is truly impressive. Her experience with training squad members at various levels, including an Olympic Reserve, speaks volumes about her dedication and expertise. It’s wonderful to hear how she inspires both coaches and gymnasts, whilst managing to juggle her professional and personal life so effectively. Plymouth Swallows are very proud to have her on the team.

Lloyd Byrne
Head of MA and Pre-School

Lloyd has been part of Swallows since he was a young gymnast. He is A HPC qualified coach and heads up the Boys Elite programme.
You can spot him heading up some of our pre-school sessions and if you are a coach, you might be lucky enough to have him as your British Gymnastics Course Tutor!

Kristin Farrelly
Manager

Kristin was raised doing gymnastics and was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. While studying business management she began coaching recreational classes. She has a Masters degree with focus on nonprofit business management. After moving to Devon in 2019 she became a coach for Plymouth Swallows and gained her level 2 coaching qualification. She returns to us as our Manager with 10 years of both coaching and business management experience.

 

Dawn Cowling
Administration, Reception, Health and Safety Officer.  

Dawn moved from London in 2004 with 45 year background as a swimming coach and 28 years admin for various clubs. Dawn is the friendly face as you walk into reception. She is the custodian of hair bobbles, pick and mix and plaster supervisor! 

Emily Williams
Level 4 Women’s Artistic  

Emily has been with us since joining us as a young gymnast from Pinewood Gym Club. She is a Level 4 Women’s coach now taking her HPC in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. Emily is part of the competitive/elite WA team. Emily has a lovely one year old and she is also juggling family commitments with work.

Jessica Rouse
Level 3 Women’s Artistic

Jessica is a Level 3 WA coach and has been with us since she was 6 and this is all she has ever wanted to do. She achieved a distinction in her level 2 community activator apprenticeship and picked up the award for “Apprentice of the year 2023” As well as Competitive, you can find her in Pre-school, Recreational and working alongside Rebecca with the display team.

Debbie Farley
Level 3 Women’s Artistic

Debbie has been involved in the sport for over 50 years. From a national level gymnast to coaching in Hong Kong to her favourite club “Plymouth Swallows”. She works in the area of developmental gymnastics but throws in pre-hab, re-hab and general support to gymnasts and co-workers.

Xanton May
Level 2 Men’s Artistic, Recreational 

Xanton is currently working towards his Level 3 Men’s Artistic qualification. He has been with us as both gymnast and now coach with both competitive boys and recreational gymnasts.

Kimberley Keeble
Level 2 General Artistic, Pre-school, Recreational

Kimi coaches our recreational kids and loves seeing the children learning and achieving. She takes great pride in what she does and is lovely with all the children. She has an interest in disability classes and has been working with a disabled child one on  one for a term and the results have been really positive.

Rebecca West
Level 2 WA and Display Team Coach

Rebecca became a coach whilst still training with us and is now coaching the team that she used to train with ! She is a valuable recreational and display team coach. 

Ruby Stacey
Level 1 WA and Recreational 

Ruby is our superstar who in 2024 went to France to train with the Olympic team in Reims as the travelling reserve! She is an Elite Gymnast who has been on the national team for 6 years and came 15th overall at the World Championships. She is currently enrolled in a Level 4 Sports  Apprenticeship. Ruby coaches for us when she can and is inspirational to all our members.