History

Our new National Training Centre is a division of Kalev and was
created to emphasize and give special attention to developing
young gymnasts who have the potential to benefit from national
level training with the aim to develop gymnasts to represent
Canada internationally.

For the history of Kalev, it's creator, Evelyn Koop, and its former
gymnasts at all levels, see the Kalev Estienne website, in particular the
"History" and the "Alumnae" sections.

SOME RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Our gymnasts made the 2004 - 2005 season one of our best, by participating in 14 competitions and winning a total of 191 medals 98 gold, 54 silver, 39 bronze).

  • The Group World Championships in New Orleans, USA, 2002, where two Kalev members were among the five athletes making up the Canadian Senior Group: Irina Funtikova and Emilie Livingston. The group did very well and placed 7th.
  • In 2003, the group got a bronze medal at Kalamata and, again, placed 12th at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
  • It was a great experience for all involved, but since they just missed qualifying for the 2004 Olympics, the group has now been dissolved.
  • Since the breakup of the group, a third member has joined Kalev: Pam J!
  • Individual World Championships has seen Emilie represent Canada at Osaka, Japan in 1999 and at Madrid, Spain in 2001.
  • In Madrid (see photos), our Irina Funtikova was also a member of the Canadian Team. (As was a former member of our club, Mary Sanders).

  • After one year in the Provincial level and one year as National Junior, 2002 was Diana's first year as a National Senior. Because of Irina's recent injury, Diana was given the opportunity to participate in the Derjugina Cup. Shelearned from watching and competing with Tamara Yerofeeva, Anna Bessonova and many others:

Svetlana with our National Team members in 2003:
Diana and Katia Z:

 

  • At the Commonwealth Games, Emilie was part of the Canadian Team in Malaysia in 1998, (together with Erika-Leigh Stirton and Katie Iafolla)... -->

... as was Irina in Britain 2002
(with Pamela Jewell).

 

  • At the Four Continents' Championships in Brazil 2001 the Canadian Team was mostly made up of our club members and Irina was one of the individual competitors who gave Canada a Team Gold Medal.
  • And the Junior Group that placed 4th was our Junior Group (with one addition: Camille from B.C. - at right in the photo below)
  • At the Aeon Cup 2001, our club competed as Canada's best club. Our two senior gymnasts, Emilie and Irina placed well individually. Emilie caught the attention of FIG members Irina Viner and Maria Szyzkowska (below).

On the right: Svetlana Joukova with Irina Viner -->

  
©Kalev Rhythmic Gymnastic Centre, 2001-2005