Surprise party for gymnastics coach’s 80th birthday

Above: John Straatsma celebrates his 80th birthday at the club with SCGA students and staff.

by Cameron Outridge

Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Academy in Nambour came alive with celebration as popular coach John Straatsma marked his 80th birthday on May 8th with a surprise party organised by grateful club officials. 

The Dutch-born coach, who has been teaching gymnastics for an impressive six decades, was honoured by colleagues including Head Coach Rimma Lazarus and Secretary Jo Abdou, who expressed that the club was “ever-grateful for the patience, dedication, wisdom and heart that he brought to his coaching role.”

Straatsma, who emigrated from the Netherlands at age 14, brought with him a foundation in gymnastics that blossomed in Australia. 

“I started doing a bit of gymnastics in Holland when I was young. Then when I came here, I finished up at the YMCA and we didn’t have coaches, we had to coach ourselves,” he recalled. “I’ve always pursued the sport for enjoyment rather than for competition.”

His passion for working with children has been a constant throughout his life. 

“I was a phys ed teacher as well for umpteen years in Canberra, ACT. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and teaching sport.” 

When asked what he loves about teaching children, he pointed to the “whole mixture of personalities” he encounters.

Despite turning 80, John maintains an active lifestyle, splitting his time between coaching at the academy and helping at his daughter’s 60-acre horse riding property in Kenilworth. 

He joined the Sunshine Coast club about four years ago after returning from Cairns, currently focusing on teaching beginners and intermediate gymnasts.

Age hasn’t diminished his abilities either. “I can still do a hand-stand and a cart-wheel and a few other things,” he said. “There’s still a bit of strength left.”

John said his future as a coach would depends on his mental and physical balance.

Rimma said the birthday celebration was a small but fitting tribute to John’s lifetime devoted to the art of movement and to nurturing young talent.

For local gymnastics enquiries email office@sunshinecoastgymnastics.com.au or phone 5442 2600.