Our Team 2024

Jacinta Smith-

Meet Jacinta: An Accomplished Physie Champion and Dance Enthusiast

We are thrilled to introduce Jacinta, a true standout in the Eastern Suburbs Physie (ESP) family. Her journey in physie and dance is nothing short of extraordinary, and we are privileged to have her as part of our team.

In 2023, Jacinta achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the National 2nd Year Senior Champion Girl at the Sydney Opera House, a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport of physical culture. Her achievements in the world of physie have been nothing short of outstanding.

Jacinta embarked on her physie journey at the tender age of 4, and for the past 15 years, she has been a formidable force in Physical Culture competitions. Her enduring commitment to physie has been a source of inspiration to all who know her.

At the young age of 7, Jacinta's passion for dance ignited, leading her to explore various dance forms such as Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. Her unwavering love for and dedication to dance eventually earned her a coveted spot at the prestigious Newtown High School of the Performing Arts.

During her time at Newtown High School, Jacinta made her mark as a standout performer. She completed her Higher School Certificate with a major in Dance and was selected to join the NHSPA dance company. In her final year, she received the prestigious Outstanding Commitment and Contribution to Dance and Outstanding Commitment to Dance Company awards, solidifying her reputation as a true dance virtuoso.

In 2021, Jacinta realized a dream when she represented NHSPA in dance in the grand stages of New York City and other states across the USA. Her international experience further enriched her already impressive dance repertoire.

Jacinta's physie journey has been equally remarkable. She has achieved National Dance Champion status for four consecutive years, from age 12 to 15, and has consistently competed at the highest levels of BJP Physie, both in Junior and Senior National finals and teams. Through physie, she has forged enduring friendships not only within our own club but also across Australia when competing in National finals.

Jacinta's expertise extends beyond the physie floor. She is an accredited RAD ballet teacher and a professional Contemporary Dancer, bringing her exceptional technical knowledge to her physie classes.

With boundless enthusiasm, Jacinta is eager to share her love and passion for both the sport and dance with her junior, senior, and ladies' classes this year. Her wealth of experience and unmatched dedication will undoubtedly inspire and empower her students as they embark on their own physie and dance journeys under her guidance.

Liesel Vuorinen

Meet Liesel: A Dedicated Physie Veteran and Inspiring Instructor

We are delighted to introduce Liesel, a shining star in our Eastern Suburbs Physie (ESP) family.

Liesel's remarkable journey in the world of BJP Physie began at the tender age of three, and since then, she has become an integral part of our community.

For the past two decades, Liesel's dedication to physie has been unwavering. She has consistently been a key member of numerous championship-winning teams, leaving her mark at both the junior and senior levels. Her commitment to excellence and her passion for the sport have been instrumental in our club's success.

In addition to her impressive physie journey, Liesel also boasts thirteen years of dance experience, which has significantly contributed to her technical prowess and stage presence. This unique blend of skills has made her a standout performer both on and off the physie floor.

In 2018, Liesel made a pivotal move by joining the Eastern Suburbs Associates team. Here, she embraced the challenging role of demonstrator for the seniors class, further showcasing her dedication to her craft and her desire to support her fellow athletes in their physie journey.

In 2023 Liesel expanded her teaching roles within the club, teaching the juniors in our exciting new Bondi location, where she is inspiring the next generation of physie girls with her passion and expertise. Additionally, Liesel will be competing in the fiercely competitive 23-24 years age group, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to personal growth and achievement.

Liesel is renowned for her exceptional ability to quickly learn choreography, a testament to her talent and dedication. Her wealth of competition experience in both physie and dance provides invaluable insights to her students and fellow club members.

Above all, Liesel is known for her passionate commitment to supporting her teammates and our club as a whole. She is a true team player, always ready to lend a helping hand and offer guidance to those around her.

Liesel's enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of physie girls is truly contagious. We are excited to have her as an inspiring instructor within our club, and we look forward to witnessing her continued growth and impact on our ESP community.

Kylie Heussner

We are proud to introduce Kylie, a cherished member of our Eastern Suburbs Physie (ESP) family.

Kylie's journey in the world of physie is nothing short of remarkable, and we are honoured to have her as part of our teaching team.

With over five decades of experience in the sport, Kylie is a seasoned physie instructor with an unwavering passion for sharing her love of dance and fitness. Her dedication to physie dates back to her childhood when she achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a National Champion Girl at the tender age of 12. This early success set the stage for a lifelong commitment to the sport.

Throughout her physie journey, Kylie has consistently proven herself as a formidable competitor. She has earned the distinction of being a National place-getter and finalist in individual competitions, showcasing her remarkable talent and dedication. Furthermore, Kylie has been an invaluable member of numerous high-level teams, contributing to their success and fostering a sense of camaraderie within the sport.

Kylie's involvement in physie extends beyond her personal achievements. She has held the prestigious title of an associate since the age of 19, a testament to her leadership and dedication. Throughout her journey, she has shared her knowledge and passion by teaching seniors, ladies, juniors, and even tiny tots, often side by side with her daughters.

Beyond the physical benefits of physie, Kylie firmly believes in the emotional and social advantages it offers. She has witnessed firsthand the joy, laughter, and friendships that this sport brings to so many lives.

Outside of her physie commitments, Kylie enjoys a diverse range of interests. She's an avid surfer, finds solace in walking her faithful companion Millie, and has a green thumb when it comes to gardening. Her latest endeavour involves harvesting and roasting coffee beans from her own garden, a testament to her passion for cultivating and enjoying life's simple pleasures.

With five years of experience teaching at ESP, Kylie is excited to work alongside our teaching team. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our club while embracing the fresh energy and talent that the group embodies. We look forward to continuing to learn from Kylie, celebrate her achievements, and grow together as a physie community under her guidance.

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Josephine Nastasi

Josephine, a seasoned Physie veteran, is a remarkable addition to our Eastern Suburbs Physie (ESP) family. With over a decade of experience, her journey in the world of physical culture is nothing short of inspiring.

Josephine's passion for physie was ignited from an early age where she dedicated herself to the sport and achieved numerous competition placements. Her impressive achievements include being crowned a regional champion in club swinging, a testament to her dedication and skill.

Taking a break from physie to pursue her love for American football, Josephine soared to success, becoming a two-time NSW Opal Bowl champion and representing her state in the national league. Her competitive spirit and athleticism shone brightly in this different arena.

In 2021, Josephine rekindled her love for physie and joined the ESP team, where she made an immediate impact. She swiftly earned accolades, competing at the national level, clinching victories at Interclubs, and becoming a key player in the Championship Grade Ladies Intermediate team, which achieved an impressive 4th place at Nationals in 2022.

Josephine's dedication and talent continued to shine as she secured a place at zone in 2022 and competed fiercely in the Ladies Novice Section, proudly marching out in the National final.

In 2023, Josephine took a well-deserved break to embrace motherhood, but she is back with us in 2024 with her sights set on representing Eastern Suburbs Physie once again. We are excited to have her return to the fold, and we have no doubt that her experience, resilience, and determination will continue to contribute to our club's success and inspire others along the way. Join us in welcoming Josephine back as she embarks on this exciting chapter of her physie journey.

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Hayley Gudgeon

At Eastern Suburbs Physie, we are thrilled to have Hayley as part of our teaching team for the upcoming year. With a rich history in physie and a deep passion for dance, Hayley brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our Club.

Hayley's journey in the world of physie began at the tender age of six, where she started competing in both teams and inter-club events. Her dedication and commitment to the sport have been evident from the very beginning, and we are proud to have her as an integral part of our team.

Before her involvement in physie, Hayley had already been immersed in the world of dance, beginning her dance training at the age of five. She has explored a variety of dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap, fostering a strong appreciation for the art of movement and performance.

In addition to her extensive dance background, Hayley is currently pursuing her teaching certification. Her goal is to pass on her love for physie and dance to the next generation, helping them discover their potential and nurturing their growth as dancers and individuals.

In 2024, she will proudly represent Eastern Suburbs Physie as an associate and demonstrator, embodying our values of excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Together, we will work towards achieving our goals, both on and off the dance floor, and make this year an extraordinary one for our physie community.

We are excited to have Hayley on board, and we look forward to the growth and success that she will help us achieve.

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