Tri Star Competitive Coaching Staff
This page includes short Bios on our competitive programme coaching staff and the best way to get in contact with them. Some of our coaches don't have Tri Star specific email addresses, so the best way to contact them is via our main email address team@tristar.org.nz
Paul Fischetti
Programme Manager & MAG Coach
Email - paul.fischetti@tristar.org.nz
Paul is a dedicated gymnastics coach with over 13 years of experience helping athletes thrive in their gymnastics careers. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California, Paul relocated to New Zealand in early 2024 to continue his coaching journey. His athletic background includes competitive gymnastics and springboard diving, having competed at the NCAA level during university. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and is a certified personal trainer, bringing both academic knowledge and practical expertise to his coaching practice.
Misha Koudinov
MAG Lead Coach
Email - Mikhail.koudinov@tristar.org.nz
I’m a third-generation gymnast who started training at 7, coached by my father. By 14 I had already competed at the Commonwealth Games, with world championships soon after.
On a full scholarship to The Ohio State University, I captained the team in 2013, earned Big10 podiums, and became an NCAA All American. After coaching in the USA, I returned to NZ, where qualifying for the 2018 Commonwealth Games reignited my passion for skill development.
Today, gymnastics is about enjoying every aspect of training and passing on my experience to the next generation of athletes.
Sarah Kelly
WAG Lead Coach
Email - sarah.kelly@tristar.org.nz
I’m a proud mum of two, Ruby and Cooper – you’ll often spot them roaming around their second home at Tri Star. My gymnastics journey began at Pukekohe Gymnastics before moving to Counties. I was fortunate to represent New Zealand at the 2005 World Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. After my competitive career, I pursued my studies at AUT, completing a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Exercise Science, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Auckland and gained my FIG level 3 coaching qualification. I’ve been coaching since 2008, working with athletes from preschoolers right through to the Senior International NZ representatives.
Dennise Hassan
WAG Assistant Lead Coach
Email- dennise.hassan@tristar.org.nz
I have been coaching for over 10 years and have had the pleasure and experience of working with all ages from our tots and pre school, schools programme and the various competitive streams where I am now situated in our WAG programme.I love developing relationships with my athletes and helping them to unlock their strengths and work towards their personal goals together, as it's challenging yet the most rewarding! In my down time I love being a foodie and enjoying family time.
Emily Knight
Trampoline Lead Coach
Email - emily.knight@tristar.org.nz
Hi, I’m Emily! I’m the Trampoline Lead Coach here at Tristar and I’ve been lucky enough to spend the past 10+ years coaching competitive trampoline. Over the last 6 years, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to be part of several New Zealand teams, which has been such a highlight. I was a competitive trampolinist myself—until an injury caused me to hang up the leotard. When I’m not in the gym, I’m busy working as a full-time physiotherapist and doing crossfit, so between coaching, physio, and working out, my weeks are pretty action-packed!
Annaliese Tracey
Squad Lead Coach
Email - annaliese.tracey@tristar.org.nz
I have been part of the gymnastics world since the age of 6, spending 8 years as a competitive gymnast and began coaching at 12 years old at my home club Tristar. With 9 years of coaching experience, I have worked across all areas of gymnastics- from preschool to adult recreational classes and competitive athletes. I am currently working towards my Junior coaching qualification.
My goal is to support athletes at all stages of their gymnasts journey, to help them grow in both skills and confidence, while keeping the experience positive and fun. Outside of coaching, I am a busy parent of 3, who all share a love for gymnastics too!
Ryan Davies
WAG Coach and GfA Lead Coach
Email- ryan.davies@tristar.org.nz
Ryan is an energetic and enthusiastic gymnastics coach with 8 years coaching experience. He takes a fun and holistic approach to coaching, and aims for high quality gymnastics. Ryan’s dedication to gymnastics was rewarded with a Gymnastics New Zealand scholarship to Ollerup in Denmark for 6 months. Ollerup is specialised gymnastics school and during his time there he studied, and coached Team Gym (a variation of gymnastics including dance, tumbling, and mini tramp).
Kendall Hollingsworth
WAG Coach
To contact Kendall first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
have been involved with gymnastics for most of my life. I competed as a WAG gymnast up to step 9, and shortly after began coaching. I have coached competitive girls for around 10 years and have worked with all steps 1 through 10. My favourite apparatus to coach is bars! Outside of gymnastics I work as an accountant, and in my spare time I enjoy getting out in the sun and going for walks.
Daniella van Delden
WAG Coach
To contact Dani first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
Dani been a tristar member since she was four years old and spent 11 years in the competitive WAG program. She has both elementary coaching and judging qualifications. As a coach, her focus is on creating a safe and positive environment where athletes can build confidence, improve their skills, and enjoy their training. Watching gymnasts grow not only in ability but also in resilience and self-belief is the most rewarding part of coaching for me.
Ashleigh Pinner
WAG Coach
To contact Ashleigh first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
I have been involved with gymnastics for most of my life and competed as a WAG gymnast reaching STEP 8. I have coached at Tri-star for the past 12 years primarily working in the competitive program coaching STEP 1-4. Outside of gymnastics I have just finished my degree and work as a Physiotherapist and enjoy spending time doing crossfit or at the beach.
Gillian Tracey
Squad Coach & GFA Manager
Email - gillian.tracey@tristar.org.nz
I have over 30 years of coaching experience, including 25 years at Tristar. As a parent of three, with two of my children part of the Tristar WAG programme, I bring both professional expertise and a strong personal connection to the club.
Eras Viljoen
MAG Coach
To contact Eras first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
I am a coach and senior gymnast at Tristar. My favorite subject at school is maths. I enjoy going on hikes most weekends. I have represented NZ at Australia national championship.
Andy Tan
MAG Coach
To contact Eras first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
Hey, I’m Andy Tan. I discovered my passion for movement through both gymnastics and parkour, and I’m an active parkour athlete who once won a national competition in China. I’m also among the first coaches in the world to earn the International FIG Parkour Coaching Certificate. Over the years, I’ve helped students become stronger, more confident, and more creative in their movement. My goal is to share the excitement and discipline of gymnastics, inspiring every athlete to explore their full potential.
Merle Zibolsky
Squad Coach
To contact Merle first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
I have over 10 years of experience competing in the WAG program and began coaching earlier this year. In my role as a coach, I aim to create a safe and supportive environment to encourage progress. Gymnastics has always been a big part of my life and I love being involved in my athletes journey as they learn, grow and excel in the sport.
Isobella Norton
Squad Coach
To contact Isobella first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
I did gymnastics for over 10 years and have been coaching for almost 4. The sport has taught me so much, and I enjoy helping gymnasts grow, challenge themselves, and reach their goals.
Lisa Tetzlaff
Squad Coach
To contact Lisa first click here to email Team@tristar.org.nz
I am an ex competitive gymnast from the 90s and early 2000's moving onto dancing and then Rugby. I am also a qualified Physio and Pilates instructor and am currently competing in my new sport - Olympic weightlifting. I have 12 years coaching experience and love helping gymnasts see and reach there potential. I believe building confidence, strength and good body connection is key to kids finding their power and enjoying there sport.