About Ashley
 From
the first time I watched my sister compete I knew that Rhythmic
Gymnastics would be a big part of my life. The excitement, grace,
movement, athleticism and dance spoke to me in a way no other sport
had or could. Although I watched the sport from the time I was a
toddler, I did not actually begin to train in a formalized program
until I was 8 years of age.I began in a Level 1 Group and that year
we were the Provincial Champions in our category. An awesome beginning
for a little girl...but in moving up through provincial levels everything
didn't always come so easily as that first year. But by Novice Level
4 in 1991 National Stream, I was ranked 1st in BC and I was loving
every moment I had in the gym. Competing for Club Adagio and as
part of the BC National Level Team was exciting and rewarding, but
I think my most memorable years were when I was part of Adagio's
and BC's Canada Winter Games Group. During that time it was so much
fun to be part of a Group and in fact my best friends were in the
Group too....making it an even richer experience. Leading up to
the 1994 Canada Games our Group had won the Silver Medal at the
Canadian National Championships, a seemed very promising indeed.
But unfortunately our Group was unable to maintain its momentum
and seriousness in our training and we dropped to a disappointing
4th place finish at the Games that year. It was a setback for us....but
it also left me with some life lessons that I still look back on
today as being very valuable.
During the time I trained with Club Adagio I also trained with Arts
Umbrella as a dancer. Once I retired from competitive rhythmic gymnastics
(prematurely I now believe at age 16), I turned to dance as a means
of creative expression and had the good fortune to train with Mary-Louise
Albert in Jazz and Modern Dance. However, one of my regrets is that
I never had the opportunity to train from a young age with a rhythmic
gymnastics coach the caliber of our BB Ignatova....I only wish I'd
had someone with her drive and expertise to push me through my resistance
and perceived limitations. But regret aside, Rhythmic Gymnastics
has enriched me in so many ways. It has helped to mold me into a
strong and confident person. It taught me a good work ethic and
strong interpersonal skills. There is not, in fact, a day that goes
by when I regret my involvement in this beautiful sport and that
is why I continue to be involved as a coach and a judge.
 This
current coaching year has been especially rewarding for me because
I have begun a Dance Academy Program at Club Adagio which marries
my two passions, rhythmic gymnastics and dance....and I am even
enjoying the challenge of performing again myself. I hope through
my love of coaching that I can give my gymnasts a similar sense
of passion and love for my sport and set them on a rewarding journey
in their young lives.
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