Meet The Staff
Directors
SONJA
Our esteemed founder and proud owner of Absolute, is thrilled to return to the gym following the recent birth of her son, Brando. Sonja serves as the Director of the All-Star Cheerleading program, and her dedication extends to mentoring aspiring coaches worldwide.
Sonja's athletic journey began as a dancer during her early years, progressing into rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. At the age of 15, she took on the challenge of cheerleading as a dare, and the rest is history. Over a span of 9 years, she passionately cheered on various high school and All-Star teams throughout the province. Her journey then led her to establish Canada's first-ever Choreography and skills company, which was the pivotal point for the creation of Absolute Cheer. Along the way, she became a Team Canada Coach, a globetrotting skills and choreography technician, a renowned conference speaker, and a highly regarded judge, among other remarkable ventures. Now, 18 years later, her passion for the sport burns brighter than ever, and she aspires to inspire the next generation of coaches for years to come.
Credentials:
ICU Black Medallion Certified Levels 1-7
ICU Education Facilitator
First-Aid & CPR-C/AED
NCCP: Respect in Sport/Making Ethical Decisions /Concussion Management
ZOE
“Absolute has always been my home, and I hope to encompass this same feeling amongst all athletes”. In Zoe’s new role this season as the Assistant Director of the Allstar/Elite Cheer program, in addition to overseeing the Prep and Novice programs, her goal is to inspire all athletes to dream big and work towards turning those dreams into realities. This applies to athletes of all ages, from the littlest ones to adults who are just starting their cheer journey.
She has been coaching at Absolute for 8 years now, and doing Cheer for 12 years.
As an athlete, it has been one of her proudest accomplishments to compete at the World Championships five times, finishing in 6th place in 2019 and 5th in 2022!
Zoe is thankful for the privilege of coaching multiple teams to provincial and national titles, as well as receiving invitations to the Summit. In 2018, she had the opportunity to coach a team that competed in the Summit Championships in Orlando, Florida.
Credentials:
BCSC Levels 1-5
BC Early Childhood Educator Assistant
First Aid & CPR (OFA1)
NCCP: Respect in Sport/Making Ethical Decisions /Concussion Management
CARA
Cara serves as our Director of Operations. Her journey in the world of cheerleading began at the age of 10, setting the stage for a remarkable and enduring passion.
In 2008, Cara joined our competitive youth level 1 team, Divas. Throughout the years, her dedication and determination remained unwavering. She proudly represented Absolute at the cheerleading world championships in 2016, 2018, and most recently in 2023.
Absolute has always been more than just a gym to Cara; it's her second home, a place where she can wholeheartedly pursue her passion and has discovered her true calling. She brings that same dedication and love to her role as our Director of Operations, ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors experiences the same sense of belonging and commitment that she has felt since day one.
Coaches
ALLIE
Allie has been cheering with Absolute for 7 years. She coach’s both Cheer and Tumbling. “The thing I like most about coaching is connecting with athletes and helping them achieve their goals”.
Credentials:
BC Sport Cheer Level 1 Technical Coaching Course, Respect in Sport
BELLA
Bella is16 years old and has been cheering for 11 years! But, she has only cheered at absolute for 4 years. Bella started working at the gym summer 2023. “I’m on currently on Airesses Lvl 3, and I hope to go to worlds someday”.
BRI
I have been with Absolute for 2 years, and I’ve done gymnastics since I was 4. As of right now, I am doing my BC Sport Cheer coach training course. I love to coach cheer and tumbling because I want share my knowledge of the sport and coach kids!
CAIA
Caia has been a part of the Absolute family since the age of 5. Her journey began with tumbling, but she soon discovered her true passion in cheerleading. Caia enjoys teaching tumbling and loves witnessing the progress and the excitement as they showcase their newfound skills.
CARYS
Carys is 14 years old has been with absolute for 3 years now but before she joined AC she did gymnastics competitively. Carys started working at Absolute the end of 2021 and has continued since then. She is currently on Airesses level 3 at absolute.
CASSY
Meet Coach Cassy, or you can her me Coach Cass – either works for her! Cassy’s journey into cheerleading was influenced by her gymnastics background, which provided a smooth transition into this exhilarating sport. She has been apart of Absolute since the start, and has competed on every level from 2-7 sometimes three teams in a season! Cassy has also had the privilege of coaching two level 2 summit teams at absolute!
Cassy had the privilege of competing at the Cheerleading World Championships three times; 2016, 2019, and 2023. In 2019, her team came 1st place in Canada 6th in the world in the Int Open Coed Non-Tumbling Level 5 division and in 2023, placed 13th in the world in the Int. Open Coed Non-Tumbling Level 6 Divison.
Credentials:
ICU Level 1 certified
BC Sport Cheer level 2-4 certified.
HAVEN
Haven is in her second year of Cheer and is a back spot on team Allure.
She started working at Absolute in the summer of 2023 when she helped coach the Summer Camp programs.
During the school year, she enjoys working the Birthday Parties and Spring Break Camps at Absolute.
Haven's favourite part about competing is traveling to international cheer competitions with her teammates.
IZZY
Coach Izzy is going into her 14th season with BC cheer. “Cheer has been a light in my life. My goal as a coach is to bring that light into your child’s life as well. Without the community Cheer gave me, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Alongside the coaching team at Absolute, I hope I can inspire your child to achieve success in sport, and have fun doing it”.
Credentials:
Concussion certified
CPR Certified
ICU Level 1 Novice certified
ICU Level 2 certified (future)
ICU Level 3 certified (future)
JAYDA
Jayda started cheer & tumbling at Absolute Gym at age 9. Since her first cheer class it has been her absolute passion. Jayda essentially grew up in the gym… “my second home.” Jayda spent most of her career cheering as a flyer & tumbler but also has experience as a front spot & base. Through cheer, Jayda met lifelong friends & travelled within North America for national & global competitions.
Jayda is currently in grade 12 in the Careers Program for Hair Design at a local college. “I look forward to graduating from high school & hair design in 2024. I’m very excited to be back at Absolute and coaching this upcoming season!”
Credentials:
BCSC Certified Level 1 & 2 Building & Tumbling Coach
Worlds Level 5 athlete in cheer & tumbling
KAITLYN
Kaitlyn has been cheering at Absolute since the age of 7. She has competed on levels 1-3, often on two teams per season. “Absolute is like my second home, I love coaching & sharing my passion of this sport with others”
MADDIE
Meet Coach Maddie,
Maddie is one of our “og” members. You can find her in the gym coaching private lessons, advanced flight school, tumble for cheer, creating merch or making guest appearances in your team practice’s!
Maddies cheer journey has definitely been one for the books! It started way back when in 2008 when her mom found Absolute in the newspaper. She instantly fell in love with the environment and the gym became her second home. She trained almost every day since the age of 5 to competing both an individual and on two teams.. all the way to being on worlds teams!
With over 15+ years of experience split as both an elite athlete and coach, she is filled with passion and knowledge towards the sport and looks forward to sharing it with the next generation!
Credentials:
ICU Certified Novice
ICU Certified Intermediate
NCCP Safe Sport Training & Making Headway in Sport.
Emergancy Medical Responder
MARIA
Maria is one of the newest additions to our coaching staff at Absolute Cheer & Tumbling. Maria’s competitive cheerleading journey started when she was ten years old. Maria was born and raised in Venezuela. This is where she first found out about the sport in elementary school. Upon moving to Canada, she cheered on different All-Star and High School teams in the Lower Mainland. Among those teams were the Senior level 4.2 Kitsilano Blue Demons. Maria attended the 2017 High School World Championships. Fun fact: Coach Izzy and Coach Maria were on the same high school cheer team.
Even though this will be Maria’s first season coaching, she is no stranger to our gym. Maria has been an Absolute athlete since the 2017/2018 season. She first joined our Senior level 2, Bombshells and later on that season, our U18 level 2 team, Rockstars. She had the opportunity to compete at the 2018 Summit Championships in Orlando, Florida, with Rockstars. Furthermore, Maria was a part of Absolute World’s team, Vegas Gold, in the 2018/2019 season.
Maria took a brief break from cheerleading to recover from a knee injury and returned to our gym during our 2022/2023 season. She came back stronger than ever, competing in two teams just like she did when she first joined us. Those teams were Open NT Level 3 Awestruck and IOC6NT 6 Archangels. Maria achieved her goal of competing for the first time at the Cheerleading World’s Championships and is proud to call herself a 2023 Cheerleading World’s Finalist.
Maria is excited to transition from athlete to coach this season and share her passion for the sport. She wishes to inspire the younger generations of cheerleaders at Absolute Cheer & Tumbling.
Credentials:
CERTIFIED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Valid First Aid & CPR/AED Level C
Working towards level 1 coaching credentials
POPPI
“Absolute has helped me in many ways, helping with my self-esteem, confidence, and mental blocks. I have come extremely far and am forever grateful." Poppi has been doing gymnastics since the age of 6. She later joined Absolute at the age of 10. Poppi's wishes are to see athletes reach their full potential while having big smiles along the way.
Credentials:
Emergency first aid & CPR/AED level C
Working towards NCCP make ethical decisions training
STACE
Stace has been doing cheer since 2003 but retired as an athlete in 2019. He has been with Absolute since 2012 where he has been to Worlds 4 times as an athlete, made finals twice and won the Nations Cup with Vegas in 2019.
Stace was a coach from 2006-2011 with another club and from 2014- currently with Absolute. Stace coached a Summit team in 2019 and a Worlds team in 2023.
Credentials:
upto Premier (Lvl. 6) with ICU
VICTORIA
Victoria has been cheerleading for ten years and is a worlds silver medalist. She has been coaching cheer leading for 5 years, not only all star but high school cheer as well. “I love coaching because cheer is a special sport to me and I want to be able to share my passion with others. I think cheer gives kids a outlet to push and be themselves.”
Credentials:
BC Sport Cheer level 2-3 certified.
First Aid & CPR
Bronze tier for coaching
Administrative
ANNIKA
Annika is the friendly face at Absolute's front desk! With roots in Squamish and a background in professional photography, she's here to ensure your experience at the gym is as seamless as possible!
Beyond the desk, Annika is a beacon of positivity, always striving to ensure that your next visit to the gym is filled with joy and excitement!
SARAH
Sarah started in the competitive cheerleading program at age 13 on our senior level 1 team. Through her years with the program, Sarah attended the Cheerleading World Championships in 2016 and 2018. She began coaching half-year teams in 2016 and since then has worked with all ages from levels 1-3. This past year, Sarah took over managing Absolute during Sonja's maternity leave and appreciated all that she learned in this position. Sarah now works remotely for Absolute as one of our Administrative Managers, primarily working in the billing/management of IClass. Sarah holds a degree in Human Kinetics and is currently working towards her Masters of Occupational Therapy. When she is in town you will most likely see her around the gym covering classes or offering private lessons. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out!
Email: ac.sarahp@gmail.com
Credentials:
Certified level 1-3 ICU until August 2024.
Bachelors of Human Kinetics degree, currently enrolled in my Masters of Occupational Therapy
First Aid and CPR-C/AED certified