‘I started cheerleading at the turn of the year 1998-1999 after being inspired by a sports presentation at school. I have competed in many different divisions: from themed peewee series to adult Finnish championship level, in a small group, and once even in freestyle pom! Due to a knee injury/injuries, I gave up competitive sports in 2010, after which I trained sporadically until the spring of 2013. 

I started coaching in 2005. Since then, I have coached at all levels and with all age groups, both on an amateur and competitive level. I have been doing camp coaching since 2016 and from 2018 onwards I have worked as a coach at Spine Performance. I am a founding member of the Rauma Cheerleading Club and on weekdays I coach there, as often as I can, being a mother of a 1-year-old son. I have also acted as a cheerleading judge since 2015. I also have both Judge and Rules certification, and I am a member of the Finnish Cheerleading Federation Rules Committee. In addition to my Finnish judge training, I also have both Judge and Rules certification from the ICU. The skills I have learned as a judge are highly visible in my coaching.

I am approachable, determined and a problem solver. I am also a teacher by profession (Master of Education), which has a strong influence on my coaching. Nowadays, I focus a lot on choreographies. It is important to me that a routine matches the team, that it is entertaining and runs smoothly. I have sometimes been called a transition wizard too! Perfecting routines is one of my favourite activities in camp coaching. And, of course, meeting enthusiastic and dedicated cheerleaders! As a coach, I am strict and demanding when the time is right, but I can also be humoristic, caring and compassionate. I also think I can be pretty funny… 

During my 25 years in cheerleading, I have gained ample experience and achievements. My most important medals were won at lower adult levels at the RCS, who I coach on a regular basis. My most significant and recent achievement is a silver medal won at the 2022 World Championship by the Czech coed elite team, which I coached together with Mika. We also consulted the junior all girl advanced team that won the gold medal in the same competition. As a result of these achievements, the Czech Republic was granted the Breakthrough award in the spring of 2023.’