History of Falcon

Falcon started as a school club in 1976, based at Brickhill Middle School. Sue was part of the first cohort of gymnasts to join Falcon and soon became a very accomplished gymnast. With a drive and passion for gymnastics, Sue became a highly qualified coach and quickly picked up the reins managing Falcon SA Gymnastics Club Ltd and achieving International success at European & World Championships. 

Today, Sue has passed the baton to Hannah Shri who is Managing Director of Falcon Gymnastics Bedford Ltd who will continue to offer outstanding gymnastics across Bedfordshire. Hannah has mentored and developed many coaches over the past ten years, constantly pushing the boundaries to create the Falcon ethos where “gymnastics for all” is at the heart of its continued success.

Falcon Gymnastics Club Bedford Ltd (referred to as Falcon) is supported by a vast team of experienced coaches and parent helpers. Please feel free to contact Hannah any time, as we continue to raise the bar.

Falcon Gymnastics Bedford Ltd Directors

Hannah Shri

Managing Director

Hannah joined Falcon in 1989 before becoming part of the coaching team in 2000. Hannah specialises in coaching and developing Recreational & Pre-school gymnastics lessons and coaching programmes. In 2025, Hannah took over and became Managing Director of the Recreational club which is now called Falcon Gymnastics Bedford Ltd (referred to as Falcon).

Coaching since: 2000

Qualifications: British Gymnastics, Level 3 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics 2013, Preschool Gymnastics qualified 2023, BA Honours in sports and leisure management 2001

Acknowledgements: National finalist in women’s pairs and trios

Mel Hale

Business and Welfare Director

Mel joined Falcon as an experienced admin and welfare officer from within the education sector. After initially volunteering, in 2021 Mel was appointed Business Manager and Welfare Officer with particular focus on improving processes and procedures. In 2024 Mel was promoted to Business and Welfare Director.

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Degree at Anglia Ruskin University, Post Experience Diploma at De Montfort University, Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning, Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Diploma (distinction)

Nikki Woodworth

Club Welfare Officer

Nikki joined Falcon in 1977 as a gymnast and enjoyed a successful competitive career before joining our coaching team. Nikki is currently pursuing a very successful career in Teaching and is an outstanding Welfare Officer for Falcon Gymnastics Bedford Ltd.

Coaching since: 1985

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 4 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, British Gymnastics Level 2 in Pre-School Gymnastics, Teaching degree & PGCE, Bedford University, MA in Education, Bedford University

Acknowledgements: National Silver Medallist – Women’s Group
Volunteer of the Year 2019 at the Bedford Sports Awards

Meet the Falcon Gymnastics Club Team

Sue Birchall

Managing Director

Sue was a founding member of Falcon in 1974 and has been Managing Director for the last twenty-five years. Sue is a past mixed pair National Champion, Level 4 coach, and judge. The head of our Falcon Family, who leads with experience, passion, and determination to succeed.

Coaching since: 1985

Qualifications: British Gymnastics, Level 4 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, British Gymnastics Regional Judge

Acknowledgements: National Schools Mixed Pair Champion 1980, 2002 Bedford Sports Coach of the Year

Carl Denham

Competition Group Director

Carl joined Falcon in 1992 as a gymnast and is a past mixed pair National Champion. He then went on to join the coaching team. In 2020, Carl was appointed Competition Group Director, managing all competitive gymnastics within Falcon, aided by his experienced coaching team.

Coaching since: 2002

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 4 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics,
British Gymnastics Level 2 Trampoline Coach,
British Gymnastics Club Judge, Teaching degree & PGCE at Bedford University

Acknowledgements: National Mixed Pair Champion 2010, 2012 Bedford Sports Coach of the Year

Mel Hale

Business and Welfare Director

Mel joined Falcon as an experienced admin and welfare officer from within the education sector. After initially volunteering, in 2021 Mel was appointed Business Manager and Welfare Officer with particular focus on improving processes and procedures. In 2024 Mel was promoted to Business and Welfare Director.

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Degree at Anglia Ruskin University, Post Experience Diploma at De Montfort University, Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning, Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Diploma (distinction)

Hannah Denham

Recreational General Manager

Hannah joined Falcon in 2002 as a gymnast and enjoyed a successful competitive career before joining our coaching team. In 2020, Hannah was appointed Recreational Club Director, managing all our recreational coaches and sessions across all venues.

Coaching since: 2008

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 3 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, British Gymnastics Level 1 Coach in Pre-School Gymnastics & General Gymnastics, British Gymnastics Level 1 Trampoline Coach, British Gymnastics Regional Judge, BA (Hons) Degree in Sport and Physical Education, University of Bedfordshire

Acknowledgements: Regional Champion – Women’s Group

Nikki Woodworth

Competition Squad Coach and Club Welfare Officer

Nikki joined Falcon in 1977 as a gymnast and enjoyed a successful competitive career before joining our coaching team. In 2006, Nikki was appointed Director of Falcon, with particular focus on Pre-school gymnastics and Welfare.

Coaching since: 1985

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 4 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, British Gymnastics Level 2 in Pre-School Gymnastics, Teaching degree & PGCE, Bedford University, MA in Education, Bedford University

Acknowledgements: National Silver Medallist – Women’s Group
Volunteer of the Year 2019 at the Bedford Sports Awards

Caroline Westgate

Competition Squad Coach

Caz joined Falcon in 2021 as a coach after Trust Gymnastics Club was disbanded. Caz had a successful competitive career in artistic gymnastics and later in coaching of acro. Caz is focused on one of our competitive squads under the leadership of the Competition Group Director and brings vast amounts of personal expertise.

Coaching since: 2016

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 2 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics. BSc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education and Sports Coaching, Worcester University

Acknowledgements: Floor & Vault County Champion

Hannah Shri

Session Leader

Hannah joined Falcon in 1989 as a gymnast and is a past women’s pair Champion. She then went on to join the coaching team in 1999. As Session Leader Hannah runs our Saturday morning general club sessions.

Coaching since: 1999

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 3 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics
BA (Hons) Degree, De Montfort University

Acknowledgements: Regional Champion in women’s pairs

Catriona Lewis

Session Leader

Catriona joined Falcon in 2013 as a gymnast and enjoyed a successful competitive career before joining our coaching team in 2018. Catriona has recently taken on the leadership of our Preparation and Performance squads. As Session Leader Catriona runs many of our general club and school based sessions.

Coaching since: 2018

Qualifications: British gymnastics level 2 coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, Disability Module and Club Judge

Acknowledgements: Regional competitor in Sports Acrobatics Women’s Pairs

Carly Cain

Session Leader

Carly joined Falcon in 1996 as a gymnast and is a past women’s trio Champion. She then went on to join the coaching team in 2008. As Session Leader Carly runs our Saturday afternoon general club sessions and our Advanced squad.

Coaching since: 2008

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 2 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics

Acknowledgements: Regional Champion in women’s trios

Rachel Morrey

Session Leader

Rachel joined Falcon in 2021 as a coach after Trust Gymnastics Club was disbanded. Rachel had a successful competitive career in Sports Acrobatics and has since taken on the leadership of our of our Advanced squad. As Session Leader Rachel runs many of our general club sessions.

Coaching since: 2006

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 2 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics

Acknowledgements: Regional & National finalist, competing in Women’s pairs for Sports Acrobatics

Kieran Smith

Cheerleading Coach

Kieran joined Falcon in 2021. His background is in dance, drama u0026amp; performing Arts. Kieran had a successful competitive career gaining National champion status for his group. Kieran runs our Acro dance and Cheer sessions.

Coaching since: 2017

Qualifications: BGU Cheerleading Stunts, Tosses and Tumbling Level 3
Performing Arts Degree, Bedford University

Acknowledgements: National Champion

Amelia Kermez

Session Leader u0026amp; Pre School

Amelia joined Falcon in 2011 as a gymnast and enjoyed a successful competitive career before joining our coaching team in 2022. Amelia enjoys assisting our Competition squad u0026amp; Pre-School sessions. As Session Leader she runs many of our general club and school-based sessions.

Coaching since: 2022

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 2 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics

Acknowledgements: Regional competitor in Sports Acrobatics Women’s Groups

Cerys Davies

Session Leader

Cerys became an acrobatic gymnast with Trust Gymnastics Club in 2015, and enjoyed a successful competitive and coaching career. She joined Falcon in 2021, and since then has gained her Level 2 Acrobatic coaching qualification, Disability gymnastics qualification and more. With this knowledge and expertise, Cerys leads many of our gymnastics sessions.

Coaching since: 2019

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 2 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, Disability Module, Pre-school coach and Club Judge

Acknowledgements: Regional Champion and National Finalist women’s groups

Jon Young

Session Leader

Jon joined Falcon in 2003 as a gymnast and competed nationally as a mixed pair and men’s group, before joining our coaching team. After a short break Jon has returned to Falcon as a Session Leader running many of our general club sessions.

Coaching since: 2012

Qualifications: British Gymnastics Level 2 Coach in Acrobatic Gymnastics, British Gymnastics Level 2 Free Running Coach, British Gymnastics CPD Pre-School / Aerobics Coach

Acknowledgements: National Finalist – Men’s Group and Mixed Pair