TRYumph Coaching Staff
Alina Florea
Head Coach
Alina Florea is a former Romanian gymnast and National level coach (1993-1999). She coached Andreea Raducan, former member of the Romanian National Olympic Team and Olympic Champion in 2000. Alina has a Bachelor of Physical Education and Sport and a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Certified as a NCCP Level IV WAG coach, she has coached both provincial and national level athletes in Ontario since 2003. Alina built and managed a strong High Performance Program in Ottawa and counts many Provincial, Eastern Canadian, and even a National Champion amongst her athletes. The program developed by Alina ensures continuous development and success for her athletes.
Paul ApSimon
Fencing Head Coach
The TRYumph/Ottawa Fencing Club operates under the direction of Head Coach Paul ApSimon who is a certified level 4 coach (ACD – Advanced Coaching Diploma). Paul was the team leader and foil coach for the 2000, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Canadian Olympic Fencing teams. He helped the women’s foil team to Canada’s first ever Gold medal in Women’s Fencing at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. Most recently, Paul coached Eleanor Harvey to Canada’s best ever result at the Olympic Games: a seventh place finish.
George Codreanu
General Manager
George joined TRYumph Gymnastics Academy team as General Manager starting May 2021. He brings an extensive experience of about 15 years in the HR field. He is passionate about working with people, for people. Listening, understanding customer needs, and providing solutions are his main priorities. Before devoting his full-time to TRYumph Gymnastics Academy he worked for Lidl Romania, an important company in Europe with more than 350000 employees and 11000 stores across Europe and the United States.
Mirela Bica
WAG Manager and Competitive Coach
Born and raised in Romania, in the city of Galati, Mirela was a gymnast for more than 12 years, 9 of those years being a national level gymnast. She graduated from The Science and Letters University in Galati, with a specialty in Gymnastics and Track and Field. She started her coaching career in her birth city. In 1998, she got married to another national coach and went to Sweden for a short period of time, where she coached for a club in Gὂteborg. In 1999, she moved to Manila (Phillipines) where she was coaching the National teams, juniors and seniors. Both her teams won prestigious competition titles. (SEAGCON). She returned to Romania after a year, worked at the local club in Focsani for a couple of years and then moved to Canada where she ran the Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy programs for 5 years. In 2007, Mirela moved to Saskatoon at an Elite level club (Marian Gymnastics Club) and then at J & N Gymnastics Club until 2010. She returned to Northwestern Ontario in 2010 at Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association, she worked for 4 years. After that, she used her vast gymnastics experience to help building a brand new club, Ultimate Gymnastics, where she was a Head coach until she was hired in 2016 by a Gymnastics Centre in Ottawa. In 2018 she joined the newly formed club, TRYumph Gymnastics Academy, to coach alongside the very talented, Alina Florea.
Mélanie Major
Consulting Coach - Artistic Gymnastics
We’re thrilled to have Mélanie Major as part of the TRYumph team! As the founder of Mélanie Major Coaching Inc., she brings over 25 years of world-class coaching experience to our gym. Mélanie has proudly represented Team Canada on the international stage as a national coach in artistic gymnastics, leading athletes at prestigious events such as the Commonwealth Games, Pan American Championships, and more. Each week, Mélanie shares her passion and expertise with our athletes—helping them elevate their performance, build confidence, and grow as individuals. Her energy, experience, and genuine care make her an incredible asset to our community.
Gabrielle
Coach Mentor & Competitive Coach
I am a Level 2 certified artistic gymnastics coach in both women’s and men’s gymnastics. I have been coaching for 10 years, working with gymnasts of all ages and levels. From pre-competitive to provincial level, I love seeing the smile on a gymnast’s face when they get that one skill they have worked so hard on, may it be a cartwheel or their first kip on bars. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and in education, and I also work as a full time teacher for the French school board. Teaching kids is my passion and I am so glad to be part of the TRYumph family to help all of our gymnasts grow!
Avery
Rec Manager & Competitive Coach
Hi, my name is Avery! I have been with TRYumph since day one and I have been able to experience it both as a competitive athlete and as a coach. I did gymnastics for about 15 years and was coached by Alina herself during my most successful years. I competed at national level and traveled to so many cool places throughout my career as a gymnast. I had such an amazing experience that I want to be able to give others the same love I had for gymnastics through coaching in an amazing and safe environment like TRYumph.
Ben Manano
Fencing Coach
Former High-Performance Director at the CFF, he has also served as Provincial, National and Olympic coach.
Julie
Acro Coordinator & Recreational Coach
Hi, my name is Julie! I am 22 years old and I’ve been coaching for 8 years now. I am a graduate student from the University of Ottawa with a double major in arts and theatre. This creativity is what allowed me to become the versatile coach I am today. I teach Competitive Women’s Artistic and Acrobatics Gymnastics, American Ninja Warrior, Trampoline, Tumbling, Dance and more. I have learned so much from my experience as a provincial level 8 competitive athlete thanks to my coaches Mirela, Gabrielle and Alina in gymnastics, and from coaches Paul and Ben, who taught and encouraged me to compete in university-level fencing. I wish to share this knowledge and passion for these sports with the current and future athletes at TRYumph. I can’t wait to teach you soon and don’t forget to check out our new program – Acrobatics Gymnastics!
Chantal
Gymnastics and Ninja Coach
Hey, I'm Chantal! I grew up in Mississauga, where I began gymnastics at age 6 and started coaching ninja and gymnastics at 16. A couple of years ago, I moved to study at the University of Ottawa, where I am currently working towards my Bachelor's Degree in Social Science with a focus on Criminology and a Minor in Religious Studies. I have had the pleasure of working at TRYumph for just over a year now, and I have loved every minute of it! I have always had a passion for working with kids, and so getting to teach them the sport I had so much fun doing growing up has been such an amazing feeling!
Hanna
Competitive Coach
Hi, I’m Hanna! I started gymnastics when I was 2 years old and I became a competitive gymnast at the age of 5. I competed for 10 years and reached a national level with the help of Alina’s coaching. I am now a recreational and competitive coach and have been coaching for 4 years. I have had such an amazing experience in gymnastics and I am so happy that I get to share my love for the sport by coaching!
Dalia
Competitive Coach
Dalia brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to TRYumph Gymnastics Academy. A former provincial-level athlete, Dalia began her coaching journey at the young age of 13 as a “coach in training,” progressing to coach pre-competitive and provincial-level athletes. She is a dedicated student at the University of Ottawa, where she completed her B.Sc. in 2023 and is now studying in medical school. With her recent certification as a Level 9 judge, Dalia combines her passion for gymnastics with a deep commitment to guiding athletes in their development. She believes gymnastics is a unique and rewarding sport and is excited to contribute to the supportive and inspiring environment at TRYumph.
Myra
Rec & Comp Coach
Hi, I’m Myra! I am now a retired gymnast, but when I was 8 years old, I discovered my passion for the sport. I’ve always loved teaching myself new tricks and flipping around my house. I started competitive gymnastics at the age of 9, and I was fortunate enough to place 1st all-around at the Provincial Championships in 2018 and 3rd in 2019 for levels 5 and 6. Also, in 2019, I was lucky enough to qualify to represent Team Ontario in California, where my team and I brought home first place! I am a level 1 certified coach in Artistic Gymnastics and I have been coaching since 2021. I’ve always loved working with kids, and I am grateful and excited to share my knowledge and love for this sport with future athletes at TRYumph Gymnastics Academy!
Kelly
Rec & Pre-comp Coach
I am an energetic coach that try’s to keep things fun and challenging.
Emma
Cheer & Tumbling Coach
Hi! My name is Emma and I am honoured to be in my second year as a coach at Tryumph Gymnastics. I am an undergraduate student in Second Language Teaching and Music at UOttawa. I have been a competitive all-star cheerleader for 13 years – 5 years on a worlds level team and I am a World Cheer and Dance Championship silver medalist. My favourite thing about coaching is: seeing my athletes achieve their goals and pushing themselves to their limits.
Christie
Gymnastics Coach
Hi, I’m Christie! Gymnastics has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the sport taught me discipline, confidence, and the joy of pushing myself to reach new goals. Now, as a recreational coach, I get to pass on that same passion to the athletes I work with. Watching them grow both in skill and in love for gymnastics is one of the best parts of what I do, and I’m so grateful to continue being part of this amazing sport!
Katherine
Gymnastics coach
I have been coaching gymnastics for 9 years now, although I joined the TRYumph team in February 2025. I grew up doing both gymnastics and figure skating, and began coaching both at the age of 16. Outside of the gym, I just finished my master's in biology and now work in the environmental field. I love that I get the chance to inspire passion in the kids that I work with, and love watching them find pride in themselves when they try something new for the first time or get a new skill
Hannah
Gymnastics coach
Hi, I’m Hannah! I did gymnastics for 10 years, and it’s always been such a huge part of my life. Even though I recently retired as an athlete, I’m so excited to stay involved in the sport as a coach. Gymnastics has taught me discipline, confidence, and perseverance, and now I love passing those lessons on to the athletes I work with. My goal is to help kids build strong skills, grow in confidence, and most importantly, have fun while learning.
Olivia
Gymnastics coach
Hi, I’m Olivia! I have been passionate about gymnastics since the age of 3, when I took my very first class. The sport has now become a huge part of who I am. Whether it's choreographing routines, training, or competing, I love the dedication that gymnastics brings. For well over a decade, I have competed in competitions across Canada and internationally. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of becoming a gymnastics coach—and now that dream has come true! Beyond my own gymnastics journey, I’m dedicated to coaching younger gymnasts, building their confidence, and staying active. My ultimate goal is to have kids love gymnastics as much as I do! I look forward to working with your child.
