With over 25 years experience in Head Coaching and leadership roles, Rick McCharles — from Altadore Gymnastics Club in Calgary, Canada — is an enthusiast dedicated to the sport and activity of gymnastics.

A motivator and communicator, Rick fosters fun through hard work in the gym. He believes that gymnastics is the greatest sport in the world. His philosophy is to provide a safe gym sanctuary where all can work towards their potential, set and achieve goals, and get super fit.

Rick has a wealth of diverse coaching experience including Artistic gymnastics (men and women at club and University level), Trampoline, Acrobatic tumbling and more. He is an expert in recreational gymnastics, an expert in developmental gymnastics and a principle developing coach of a number of international gymnasts including 1992 Olympian Jennifer Wood. Many of Rick’s athletes have received scholarships to Universities in Canada and the USA.

Rick is a supporter of the Canadian Professional Coaches Association, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of coaching for all athletes. And was one of the founders of the Professional Gymnastics Coaches Association of Canada.

Rick McCharles — Educator

Rick has a BPE in Physical Education and the highest level of certification as a sports coach possible in Canada. Many years a Master Course Conductor with Gymnastics Canada, Rick coaches the coaches across Canada in intensive week-long accreditation courses. He trains new course instructors as well and edits the best gymnastics coaching website on the internet. Rick has also been a contributing editor to many of Canada’s coach education guides. He has been a gymnastics lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan.

Many of Rick’s athletes and assistants over the years have stayed in the sport contributing as coaches, judges and volunteers. A Canadian Men’s Olympic Coach in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004), Kelly Manjak, was Rick’s assistant coach for 10 years.

Rick uses computer technology and the internet to help promote our sport. He edits a website for Canadian Olympic Gold medallist Kyle Shewfelt.

Rick has authored a number of highly regarded gymnastics articles published by the U.S. Women’s Elite Coaches Association and International Gymnast magazine.

Rick McCharles — Builder

Rick McCharles is a builder; he has founded gymnastics clubs; designed competitive programs; worked as a volunteer in many Gymnastics Canada decision-making committees; planned major competitions; worked for the regional Sports Governing Administration and more.

He believes that the leaders of today are trustees of the future. The groundwork we fix today decides the quality of the program for years to come. We must consider the legacy we leave with every decision taken.

Rick was born in 1957 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is single, fit and healthy. Hobbies include the internet, fitness, hiking and the outdoors. Rick loves to travel.