Our Team

 

Coming from a range of sporting and fitness backgrounds, each coach on our team can help you become the best version of you. From general CrossFitness to specific domains such as Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting and Gymnastics, we have you covered.

 

Andy Gausden- Head Coach/Affiliate Owner

Andy is the Affiliate owner and head coach at Reebok CrossFit Northern Ireland.
He started in the fitness industry in 1999 running his own PT business out of fitness first. In 2009 he started doing CrossFit and then did his CF Level 1 in 2010. In 2011 Andy opened up the first official CrossFit Affiliate in Northern Ireland called The Unit which later became Reebok CrossFit Northern Ireland in 2012.
As well as coaching CrossFit for the last 10 years Andy has competed in CrossFit but has been focusing on competing in Olympic weightlifting since 2017. Since then Andy has won multiple local competitions. Winning the British Masters in 2018 and finishing 11th at the World masters in Barcelona that same year. He is currently ranked number 1 in the UK by British weightlifting in the Masters 40-44 under 89kg class.

His qualifications are:
CrossFit Level 1& 2
CrossFit Weightlifting Level 1
CrossFit Gymnastics
CrossFit kettlebells
CrossFit Strongman
CrossFit sports specific application (CF Football) 

Sports Science diploma
National Academy Of Sports Medicine L3 PT
Elite Performance phase 1 Strength & Conditioning

 

Stephen Forbes

Stephen started Crossfit in early 2013 and has been coaching in CFNI since 2014. Stephen specialises in Olympic Weightlifting and has won multiple N.I. competitions. He has also held N.I. records in the lifts. Stephen also represented N.I. in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Stephen has coached lots of our members to medals in local weightlifting meets through our Barbell Club. He is a BWL level 2 coach.

 

Marcin Mroczkowski

 

CrossFit Level 1&2
CrossFit Strongman
CrossFit Gymnastics
EPI Strength & Conditioning Level 1&2

Coaching in CFNI for 6 years. Recently became a nerd, loves all sports, pizza & donuts

Stuart Thompson

Stuart started crossfit in 2013 and has been coaching since 2015. Stuart regularly competes in both team and individual competitions.
Stuart's qualifications:
Crossfit level 1
Irish weightlifting level 1

Emma Forbes

Emma has been a member at RCFNI since 2014 and began coaching in 2019. She has competed in local CrossFit and weightlifting competitions.
As well as coaching, Emma acts as community manager organising gym events and managing social media platforms.
Emma is passionate about making CrossFit inclusive for everyone and bringing the community together.

Qualifications: CrossFit Level 1 Trainer certificate

Jimmy McCloskey-Lee

Jimmy started CrossFit in 2012 and from then gained his love weightlifting. In 2014 he began to focus more on weightlifting and has since developed his skills and technique to be regularly in the mix for medals at Northern Ireland Weightlifting meets. He has competed in several categories from 77kg - 89kg over the years. He has also used the skills he learnt to compete in Crossfit competitions.
As well as competing Jimmy has homed his coaching working with both groups and individuals of mixed abilities applying the skills he has learnt from different coaches and online programming.

Qualifications: British Weightlifting Level 2 Coaching and British Weightlifting Level 2 Technical Official

Simon Darby

Simon started CrossFit in 2011, and started coaching in 2016 when he wanted to develop a CrossFit programme for young adult cancer patients. He knew through CrossFit methodology and the community that through coaching he could reduce the impact of cancer. Little did he know this would also be the start of MOVE Forward which has now become a non for profit CrossFit affiliate with a programme being run in 4 boxes across NI.

He loves coaching, loves to see members potentials, to get to know them; their goals, help them understand their body; how it moves, give them feedback and see how they turn that into ‘gains’ not just physically but also psychologically.

Favourite movement- squat snatch
Favourite WOD- Murph (because it’s all the things I hate)
Favourite memory- all our community fun days- pure laughter.

Qualification
BSw Social Work
CrossFit Level 2 trainer
Inclusive and Adaptive Trainer
CrossFit Judge
CrossFit and Cancer Course 2022

 

Chloe Hawkins

Chloe has been a member of RCFNI since end of 2017. She has worked in the industry since 2013 as a Personal Trainer. Chloe completed her CF Level 1 a year after starting CrossFit and began coaching at the end of 2019. She plans to pursue a career in Sports Science, specifically in Strength & Conditioning and Nutrition. Chloe has recently competed in a few local competitions and is keen to compete more in the future.
Chloe’s Qualifications:
Level 2 fitness instructing
Level 3 personal training
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Gymnastics
HND in Exercise and Sports Science