By Olivia Condous
A local calisthenics coach is nominated for an exciting award for her work in supporting students through the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Kim Dunstan, owner and principal of K&K Calisthenics in Ravenhall, has been nominated as a finalist for the Gallagher Community Coach of the Year award in the Victorian Sports Awards.
The studio offers calisthenics classes for all ages and abilities that provides students with the opportunity to learn new skills, improve their confidence and have fun in a safe environment.
During the Melbourne lockdowns, Ms Dunstan offered Zoom classes to her students with extra activities such as trivia, cooking, bingo and video games in order to help them stay engaged. She also arranged courier deliveries of care packages to her club members.
“Calisthenics wasn’t our main emphasis in lockdown, it was about their mental health and keeping them interactive, even though we couldn’t see each other,” Ms Dunstan said.
“That’s what being a better coach is about, not just the sport, it’s about people feeling wanted and cared for and helping them to give their best so that they can really enjoy sport.”
Ms Dunstan is passionate about inclusive sport and said she believes everyone should have the chance to be included in a team.
“Being able to give them the patience, support, guidance and to continue to build their confidence and skills in the technique of our sport so that they can be part of the team gives me the most pride as a coach,” she said.
Ms Dunstan said she was “gobsmacked and blown away” when she discovered she’d been nominated for the award.
“To be one of more than 800 coaches that they had put forward, it’s pretty special.”
The Victorian Sport Awards is an event that recognises those who have made an exceptional contribution to sport and active recreation in the state and acknowledges individuals, team athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers.
The awards recognise those who have excelled at a grassroots and community level as well as high-profile athletes and olympians.
