Meet The Coaching Team
All of our coaches are accredited Level 1 coaches with the Australian Calisthenic Federation and have level 2 first aid training. All coaches, assistants and class helpers have a current Working with Children's Check
Tash Grigic
Tinies Coach 2022
I started Calisthenics in 2000 at the age of 2 and a half at Banyule Calisthenics Club. From there I competed in all sections and still am competing today. In 2011 I started assisting the Tinies sections and every year after that I have continued to assist the younger sections. While at Banyule I was awarded the Junior Club Girl in 2003, was a part of CVI state championship teams in my Tinies, Subbie and Junior years. In 2013 I was awarded Senior Club Girl and also successfully completed Grade 4 in pupil skills. In 2014 I completed my first year of Seniors at Mernda Calisthenics Club however I was still heavily involved at Banyule assisting the subbies team and was recognised for my 15 years of calisthenics within the club. In 2015 I returned to Banyule for 2 years to compete in their Seniors team and continued assisting the younger sections. In 2016 I gained my Cadetship and sadly had to say goodbye to Banyule Calisthenics Club which had been my home for 17 years. I returned to Mernda Calisthenics Club in 2017 to compete in the Seniors team and assist the Inters team and in 2020 I also took on the role of assisting the Master's team. In 2021 I began my level 1 and was given the opportunity to co-coach the Tinies.
I look forward to coaching the Tinies again in 2022 and can’t wait for the years ahead.
Mellissa Iuliano
Sub-Juniors Coach and Masters Co-Coach 2022
I started Calisthenics in 2002 when I was 8, in Subbies at Kayden Calisthenics club. I continued as Juniors in 2003 as the club rebranded to Northcrest. I was lucky enough to have a few years as a Senior with Northcrest before the club became Mernda Calisthenics Club. It has been amazing to watch the club change and grow in the past 20 years and I’m so excited to still be with the same club 20 years later.
My assisting career took off in 2009 beginning with the Tinies section. In the years to follow, I assisted all sections Tinies through to Masters
I’ve had the honour of receiving encouragement awards, a coaches award and a most improved. My greatest achievement was being awarded the Mernda Star Club Girl award in 2017 along with it being my first year of coaching and my 15th year with the Club.
In 2016 I began my level 1 and had the pleasure to co-coach Tinies for the first time in 2017. I coached the Tinies for 3 years and loved every moment of it.
I am so honoured to be coaching the Sub-Junior team again, and I am thrilled to be able to also co-coach the Master's Section in 2022! I look forward to the challenges ahead and the excitement of coaching two totally different age groups!
Vicki Hobson
I started calisthenics when I was 6 years old at a small local club before moving to Bundoora Calisthenics Club as 2nd last year Junior. I moved to Bellevue Calisthenics Club in 1997 and finished my senior years. I had been assisting for many years before deciding to finally become a coach and commenced coaching my own team in 2004 at Newport Calisthenics Club I also assisted the Senior team for many years with many success along the way. In 2009 I began coaching at St Marks Calisthenics Club as the tinies coach then adding the Junior assistant coach the following year. I spent many years as the assistant coach of Juniors and then Inters at St Marks enjoying many wonderful achievements with both teams reaching Championship level. I made the move to Mernda in 2017 as the Junior coach and also now the Inter Co-Coach I have enjoyed many wonderful successes so far while at Mernda and can’t wait to see where the club heads next.
Juniors and Seniors Coach 2022
Katia Caiazzo
Inters Coach and Masters Co-Coach 2022
I started calisthenics when I was 6 years old in the year 2001 at Kayden Calisthenics club for 2 years as a Tinie and Subbie before the club rebranded and became Northcrest Calisthenics Club in 2003. I was a competitor from Juniors right through to Seniors for 10 years before the club once again change its name and became what we are known for today Mernda Calisthenics Club. Whilst at Northcrest I started my coaching career as an Assistant to the Tinies in the year 2012 and assisted in various sections right through to the year 2013. Through the years of 2014 to 2019, I continued my coaching career as an assistant to all sections tinies through to Masters at Mernda. In the year 2016, I started my cadet and in 2017 became a qualified Level 1 coach and began as Co-Coach to our gorgeous tinies. In the year 2018 I took on the Co-coach position to the incredible inters team with many successes along the way. In 2020 I was appointed head coach for our Inters and continue to coach them in 2021 as well as being a competitor in our Seniors team.
I have been a competitor for 20 years and have achieved many great achievements through coaches' awards, most improved awards, receiving Miss Northcrest and the Mernda Star club award as well as successfully completing skills program. I have coached many pupil skills tests and grades as well as coaching graceful solos.
I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings to the world of calisthenics and I look forward to what is ahead for the next 20 years of my calisthenics journey.