KCGA Newsletter — February 2026

In Issue 5

• Welcome Message

• Student Spotlight

• Coach’s Corner

• Director’s Competition Diary

• Science & Health Tip

• Inside KCGA – Monthly Video Update

• Upcoming Events

• Announcements & News
• Community Testimonial
• Kensington Gymnastics Magazine
• Closing Message

Welcome Message🎆

February is where consistency starts to show — and across Kensington, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea we’re seeing calmer movement, cleaner basics, and growing confidence built through steady, high-quality coaching in small groups. Thank you for choosing a boutique, science-informed academy; your trust allows us to coach with care, precision, and long-term development in mind.

Warmly,
Dr Stefan Kolimechkov, Founder & Director

Student Spotlight ✨

Leonie — Growing at Her Own Pace

Leonie joined KCGA in September 2024 with quiet determination and a shy smile. Over the past terms, she has blossomed into a more confident, expressive young gymnast — supported by coaches who celebrate progress, nurture individuality, and keep training calm and positive.

Her mum shared:

“Leonie loves being part of the club because she feels so comfortable growing and evolving at her own pace. The coaches support and encourage her — and reward her at every step. It’s helped her grow in confidence too.”

Gymnastics has become Leonie’s happy place — supporting not only her movement development, but also her emotional wellbeing. Her growing confidence has even carried into other activities, including synchronised swimming.

A proud KCGA moment: Leonie was named Gymnast of the Term within her group class in 2024.

Coach’s Corner 👩‍🏫

With Coach Silvia — “Basics done beautifully.”

Coach Silvia brings world-class experience and a calm coaching style that helps children improve safely and consistently.

This month, her focus is on:

• Quality over difficulty — clean movement first, bigger skills later

• Confidence through clarity — children progress faster when they understand why a drill matters

• Positive discipline — routines that build concentration, patience, and self-belief

Silvia says:

“When children learn the basics properly, they feel confident — and confidence changes everything.”

Director’s Competition Diary 🏅

On 15 February 2026, I’m competing at Europa Gymnastics Centre at the 2026 London Regional Gymnastics Championships, representing Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy. I’ll be competing on Rings in the Open category.

This event has personal history too — I’ve competed at the London Regionals four times, winning Rings gold in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and placing 5th in 2019.

The same principles I train for — strong basics, body control, patience, and consistency — are exactly what we coach in every KCGA class.

Sharing this is our way of showing that KCGA is led by a coach who still competes — keeping our standards practical, current, and rooted in real performance. I’ll share a short update (and a few behind-the-scenes moments) in our March newsletter.

Personal archive, Iron cross on rings at the 2017 London Regional Championships

Science & Health Tip 🧪

Is gymnastics safe for children? What parents should know

One of the most common questions we hear (especially in London) is about safety.

The truth is reassuring: when taught properly, recreational gymnastics can be one of the safest and most beneficial activities for children — because it develops strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness through structured progressions.

Parent-friendly takeaways (non-medical):

• Look for small groups, clear progressions, and qualified coaches.
• Good programmes prioritise technique and confidence, not risky difficulty.
• Most issues come from poor structure and rushed progression — not the sport itself.

Inside KCGA – Monthly Video Update 🎥

Prefer a quick catch-up? Each month we share a short video update to complement this newsletter — giving families a clearer, more visual snapshot of academy life across Kensington, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea.

January video highlights

• A calm reset at the start of the year across our KCGA venues in London

• A return to routine after the Christmas break, with a focus on fundamentals

• Reflections on adult gymnastics and lifelong training at KCGA

• Looking ahead to the Spring term and the months to come

Upcoming Events 📅

KCGA at London Regionals: On 15 February 2026, KCGA will be represented at the 2026 London Regional Gymnastics Championships at Europa Gymnastics Centre (Rings — Open category). KCGA families are very welcome to come and watch and support — it means a lot.

Spring Term reminders

• Chelsea (Park Walk School) — term ends 26 March 2026

• Knightsbridge (More House) — term ends 25 March 2026

• Kensington (St Philip’s Church) — term ends 28 March 2026

Half-term note: our group classes follow school term-time schedules. If you’d like to continue progress during half-term week, private coaching is the best option.

Announcements & News 📣

Trials & places (small groups)

Many of our classes remain at or near capacity because we protect coaching quality with small groups and a strong coach–gymnast ratio.

If you’re considering:

• Chelsea (Park Walk) — new families joining weekly

• Private 1:1 / 1:2 — technique, confidence, faster progress

…please message early and we’ll guide you to the best option.

Boutique safeguarding & standards: we maintain a respectful, welfare-first environment with clear progressions and careful supervision in every session.

WhatsApp (primary): 07 999 578 700 or contact us via email.

Community Testimonial ❤️

Kensington Gymnastics Magazine 📰

A bi-monthly educational magazine for London families (6 issues per year)

In January we launched Kensington Gymnastics Magazine — created with a simple purpose: to make gymnastics clearer, calmer, and more understandable for families living in London.

This isn’t a manual, a rulebook, or a marketing tool. It’s an evidence-informed educational publication, shaped by coaching experience, research, and respect for children’s long-term development. Each issue explores gymnastics from multiple angles — science and anatomy, lifelong movement, food and wellbeing, elite sport context, and the everyday questions parents ask — so families can make decisions with confidence rather than anxiety.

Closing Message

Thank you for being part of the KCGA community. We’re proud to coach in a calm, high-standard environment where children can progress safely, confidently, and at their own pace. If you ever have questions about your child’s training, goals, or the best next step, simply message us — we’re always happy to help.

Our next newsletter will be released in March 2026.

Stay Connected with KCGA 🔗

Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy shares updates, performances, insights, and science-led content throughout the year.

Follow us between newsletters:

Instagram — training moments, performances & academy life
Facebook — academy updates, events & parent announcements
LinkedIn — professional standards, research & academy milestones

📍 Search: Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy

To secure a place, book a trial, or enquire about private coaching, message us on WhatsApp: 07 999 578 700 or email dr.kolimechkov@icloud.com