Central Cheer Coaching Staff
At Central Cheer, our coaching staff is the heart of our program. We are proud to have one of the most experienced, passionate, and well‑rounded teams in Manitoba. A staff built on years of competitive success, professional training, and a shared commitment to athlete development. Our coaches bring together decades of combined experience across All‑Star, Performance Cheer, Recreational programs, and elite international competition. Many have represented Team Manitoba, Team Canada Academy, Summit, Worlds, and professional sports organizations, while others bring extensive backgrounds in dance, gymnastics, football, and high‑performance athletics.
What truly sets our staff apart is not just their technical expertise, but their dedication to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for every athlete who walks through our doors. Our coaches believe in teaching the whole athlete, building confidence, resilience, leadership, and teamwork alongside strong fundamentals and advanced skills. They celebrate progress, encourage healthy challenges, and foster a culture where athletes feel seen, valued, and motivated to grow.
Most importantly, our coaches love what they do. They bring energy, creativity, and genuine care to every practice, every performance, and every milestone. Whether they’re guiding a tiny tumbler through their first cartwheel or preparing a Worlds team for the biggest stage in the sport, our staff leads with passion, purpose, and pride.
At Central Cheer, you’re not just joining a gym. You’re joining a community built by coaches who believe in your athlete’s potential and are dedicated to helping them shine.
Our coaching staff has over 100 years of combined experience coaching cheerleading. All of our coaches are Cheer Manitoba credentialed and have completed extensive training including:
- Sport MB Concussion Course - NCCP Make Ethical Decisions
-Respect In Sport - NCCP Rule of 2
- Criminal and Child abuse Check - NCCP Bystander Empowerment
-First Aid and CPR - NCCP Emergency Action Plan
-NCCP Gender based Violence - NCCP Modelling Healthy Relationships
- NCCP Understanding Teen Dating Violence
Our Team
Scott Kuz
13 years coaching • Team Manitoba • Team Canada Academy
Scott brings over 13 years of coaching experience to Central Cheer, with a résumé that spans levels 1 through 7 and age groups from U12 to Open. He has coached Team Manitoba and worked with Team Canada Academy, contributing to some of the province’s strongest high‑performance athletes. As an athlete himself, Scott cheered for 17 years at levels 4 through 7.
His athletic background extends far beyond cheer — he spent a decade in football with the Eagles, Buckeyes, Rifles, and Team Manitoba, earning two Provincial Championships and two Canada Cup championships, and has also competed in wrestling, track and field, soccer, basketball, badminton, and baseball.
Scott is a certified judge, NCCP‑trained coach, and known for his strong technical eye and high standards. His coaching philosophy centers on mentorship and developing well‑rounded people, not just athletes. He believes motivation comes from purpose, accountability, and mutual respect, and he works to build a team culture where athletes feel empowered to unlock their potential.
Scott coaches because he loves watching athletes surprise themselves with what they’re capable of. He believes in high‑fives, hard work, and lifting people up — on and off the mat.
Owner / Coach
Beej (Brittany) Kuz
15+ years coaching • Team Manitoba • Worlds‑qualifying coach
With more than 15 years of coaching experience, Beej brings a powerful blend of technical expertise, leadership, and heart to every team she works with. She has coached levels 1 through 7 across U12, U16, U18, and Open divisions, including Team Manitoba and multiple Worlds‑qualifying teams.
As an athlete, she spent over a decade in the sport, reaching Level 7 and competing at the highest levels. Her background in ringette, both as a player and coach, adds to her strong understanding of teamwork, discipline, and athlete development.
Beej’s coaching philosophy is rooted in safe, intentional progression and building a true sisterhood among athletes. She believes in creating a culture where every win, setback, and milestone is shared, and where athletes feel deeply supported both mentally and physically. Her approach emphasizes comfort, consistency, and celebrating small steps forward over perfection. Above all, she hopes her athletes leave the program with resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
Outside the gym, Beej loves camping — her favorite way to unwind and recharge with her husband.
Owner / Coach
Joan McNeilly
8+ years coaching • NCA Champion Coach • Full- Paid Summit Bid Coach • 7x Worlds Athlete
Coach Jo is known for her unmatched energy, creativity, and choreography. With over eight years of coaching experience across levels 1-3 and athletes ranging from toddlers to U16, she has built a reputation as a coach/choreographer who inspires deep connection and high performance. Her accomplishments include Coach of the Year, coaching a NCA Champion team, Innovative Choreography Award, full‑paid Summit bid team, and leading multiple provincial champions. As an athlete, she has cheered for more than a decade at levels 4–7, earned a partial paid bid to worlds, 2x provincial grand championships in performance cheer, and even represented Canada as a competitive dancer, bringing home a gold medal and world title in 2006.
Jo’s coaching philosophy goes far beyond skills and routines. She believes in building unbreakable bonds, creating a space where athletes feel seen, supported, and motivated to grow. She is the voice that lifts athletes up, the glue that keeps teams connected, and the steady presence that reminds them why they started. Her practices blend fun, creativity, and big goals with a deep commitment to personal growth. She hopes every athlete leaves her team knowing they are capable of anything they put their mind too.
Cheer has shaped who Jo is, as an athlete, a coach, and a person. She brings that love into every practice. She gets emotional watching her athletes take the floor because she knows the work, grit, and joy behind every moment. She will always be proud of them, no matter what.
Gym Manager / Coach
Lexa Moorhouse
8 years coaching • NCA Champion Coach• Team Manitoba • 3x Worlds athlete • Summit full‑paid bid coach
With eight years of coaching experience across levels 1–5 and multiple age groups, Lexa is a dynamic and accomplished leader within Central Cheer. She has coached Team Manitoba, coached our NCA National Champion team, earned a full‑paid Summit bid, and led teams to back‑to‑back provincial championships and multiple out‑of‑province titles. As an athlete, she brings 16 years of experience, competing at levels 1 through 7, cheering for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Cheerleading Team for four seasons, and representing Central Cheer as a three‑time Worlds athlete.
Lexa’s coaching philosophy focuses on developing confident, respectful, team‑oriented athletes. She believes cheerleading is about far more than routines — it’s about leadership, discipline, trust, and building a culture the community can be proud of. Her athletes know her for her high expectations, strong communication, and unwavering commitment to team success.
Off the mat, Lexa has a surprising hobby: she loves knitting during cheer road trips — but only when someone else is driving.
Director / Coach
Desi (Danae) Proulx
3 years coaching • 16‑year athlete • Multi‑sport background
Desi brings three years of coaching experience to Central Cheer, specializing in Prep Level 1 with U8 and U12 athletes. With 16 years as an athlete, she has competed at levels 1 through 7 and performed with Melrose and Central Cheer, giving her a deep understanding of the sport’s technical and performance demands.
Her athletic background also includes tackle football and basketball, adding to her versatility and competitive mindset.
Desi’s coaching philosophy goes far beyond skill development. She is passionate about building athlete confidence and helping each individual grow as both a competitor and a person. She believes in celebrating every win, creating a safe and supportive environment, and reminding athletes that mistakes are part of the process. Her goal is for athletes to feel challenged, championed, and deeply supported — even through setbacks.
Coaching allows Desi to combine her love for cheer with her passion for helping young people grow into strong, kind, resilient humans, and she finds nothing more fulfilling than being part of that journey.
Coach
Ashley Gard
6 years coaching • MCF Junior Coach of the Year • Worlds athlete
Ashley brings a strong blend of experience, leadership, and passion to Central Cheer. With six years of coaching experience — including three as a junior coach — she has worked with U8, U12, and U16 athletes and coached teams to success at multiple levels. She was named MCF Junior Coach of the Year in 2019, a testament to her impact and dedication.
As an athlete, Ashley spent 12 years in cheerleading, competing at levels 2, 3, 4.2, 5, and 7, and performing on the Central Cheer Worlds team Riot. She also continues to play volleyball, adding to her well‑rounded athletic background.
Ashley’s coaching philosophy focuses on creating a team‑first environment where athletes strive for excellence, grow as individuals, and develop strong character. She blends discipline with fun, pushing athletes to reach their potential while building confidence, resilience, and meaningful team bonds. She believes in celebrating progress, fostering accountability, and helping athletes discover what they’re truly capable of.
She loves watching pyramids — especially the moment when everything hits perfectly and the team feels unstoppable.
Coach
Beth Graham
6 years coaching • Anti‑Racism in Sport certified • High‑school & all‑star experience
Beth brings six years of coaching experience to Central Cheer, working with Minis, U12, U16, high‑school teams, and adult athletes. As an athlete, she spent eight years in cheerleading, competing at levels 2, 3, 3.0, 5, and 7 with teams such as Thunder and Rio7. She has completed the Anti‑Racism in Sport course and KIN1200 (Effective Coaching), reflecting her commitment to inclusive, athlete‑centered leadership.
Beth believes in coaching athletes as whole people. Her philosophy focuses on building confidence, resilience, and pride both on and off the mat. She strives to create a team culture where athletes feel supported, challenged, and proud of what they achieve together. Her practices blend structure with encouragement, helping athletes develop strong foundations in skill, teamwork, and character.
Her favorite part of coaching is witnessing the “aha” moments — when an athlete lands a skill for the first time or realizes just how strong they truly are.
Coach
Karen Hansen
20+ years dance instructor • Performance Cheer specialist • Central’s first Pom coach
Coach Karen brings more than 20 years of dance instruction experience and two years of Performance Cheer coaching to Central Cheer. She has taught athletes from age 3 through adulthood and proudly coached Central’s first‑ever Pom team. With over 30 years as a dancer and formal training from the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Karen brings a deep understanding of technique, musicality, and performance quality to her athletes.
Her coaching philosophy focuses on building confidence, teamwork, and strong foundations in both dance and character. She strives to create an energetic, positive environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow. Karen believes in celebrating progress, fostering belonging, and encouraging athletes to contribute to a culture rooted in fun, family, fitness, resilience, and leadership.
When she’s not coaching, you’ll often find her at the gym with her three kids, working the front desk, or embracing her inner DIY queen — known for being able to bedazzle anything, including ducks, in record time.
Coach
Monica Muiro
Bio Coming Soon…
Coach
Danica Swire
3 years coaching • Former Sea Bears athlete • Standing layout enthusiast
Danica brings a thoughtful, athlete‑centered approach to coaching, shaped by three years of experience working with U12 and U16 athletes. As an athlete, she spent a decade in cheerleading, competing at levels 1, 2, 3, and 5, and performing with the Sea Bears. Her background gives her a strong understanding of both the technical and emotional sides of the sport.
Her coaching philosophy is rooted in creating a supportive environment where athletes feel safe to explore, grow, and challenge themselves. She believes every challenge is an opportunity to learn and every success — big or small — deserves to be celebrated. Danica focuses on building confidence, encouraging curiosity, and helping athletes discover their own strength.
Her favorite cheer skill is the standing layout, a reflection of her love for clean technique and powerful tumbling.
Coach
Willy (Kaitlyn) Williston
Bio Coming Soon..
Coach
Mya McDowell
1 year coaching • Summit finalist • Former Sea Bears athlete
Mya is a passionate and thoughtful coach who brings eight years of competitive cheer experience to her role. She has worked with athletes ages 4–6 and 8–12, helping young cheerleaders build confidence and foundational skills. As an athlete, she competed at levels 1, 2, 3, and 5, performed with the Sea Bears, and reached the Summit finals — experiences that shaped her understanding of teamwork, discipline, and performance.
Mya’s coaching philosophy centers on making athletes feel seen, heard, and respected as individuals. She believes trust is the foundation of growth and works to create an environment where athletes feel safe to push themselves, make mistakes, and celebrate progress. Her goal is to help athletes develop not only as cheerleaders but as well‑rounded people who thrive both in sport and in life.
Her favorite skill is the aerial — a perfect reflection of her love for power, precision, and artistry.
Coach
Latasha Spence
5+ years coaching • Bombers & Sea Bears cheer alum • Multi‑level athlete (4.2–7)
Latasha brings over five years of coaching experience to Central Cheer, working with U8, U12, and adult athletes across Levels 1 and 2. Before joining the coaching world, she spent more than a decade as an athlete, competing at levels 4.2 through 7 and performing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2019–2021, 2023) and the Sea Bears (2023, 2025).
Her athletic background also includes Taekwondo, giving her a strong foundation in discipline, strength, and body awareness. She is fully certified through Cheer Manitoba, CPR, and First Aid, and is committed to ongoing professional development.
Latasha’s coaching philosophy is rooted in kindness, appreciation, and teamwork. She believes cheerleading is a collective effort where every athlete contributes to the team’s success. Her goal is to create an environment where athletes feel valued, included, and supported — a place where they can grow both as cheerleaders and as people. She emphasizes team bonding, positive leadership, and rising with grace through challenges.
Her favorite stunting skills are high‑to‑highs and hand‑in‑hands, and she credits cheerleading with giving her confidence and a passion she never expected to find.
Coach
Bella (Isabella) Boras
5 years coaching • Team Manitoba • Junior Coach of the Year
Isabella is a dedicated and enthusiastic coach with five years of experience working with U12 athletes. She has already made a strong impact in the cheer community, earning recognition as a Junior Coach of the Year and contributing to Team Manitoba. As an athlete, she spent nine years in the sport, competing at levels 1, 2, 3, and 5, and also has experience in gymnastics, dance, soccer, and horseback riding — a combination that gives her a well‑rounded understanding of movement, discipline, and performance.
Isabella believes in creating a team culture where every athlete feels valued, supported, and challenged. She focuses on building confidence, encouraging growth, and helping athletes fall in love with the sport the same way she did. Her coaching style blends patience, positivity, and high expectations, ensuring athletes feel both safe and motivated to push themselves.
She loves coaching because she gets to watch athletes grow — not just in skill, but in passion and self‑belief.
Coach
CoachBio Coming Soon…
Zoe Batkis
3 years coaching • Tumbling coach (Levels 1–3) • Summit & Worlds athlete
Zoe brings three years of coaching experience to Central Cheer, working with athletes from ages 3 through adulthood. She has coached Mini Level 1, Youth Prep 1, and serves as a tumbling coach for Levels 1–3. As an athlete, she spent nine years in cheerleading, competing at levels 1 through 7 and performing with Bomber Gold, Summit teams, and Worlds teams. Her background also includes eight years of dance, giving her a strong foundation in technique, musicality, and performance. She is certified in Basic Life Support and committed to athlete safety and development.
Zoe’s coaching philosophy focuses on cultivating a team culture that values both enjoyment and dedication. She believes athletes thrive when they feel supported, engaged, and challenged in a positive environment. Her approach emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and strong work ethic, while also encouraging athletes to find joy in the process. She aims to inspire athletes to push their limits while building confidence and character.
A fun fact about Zoe: she’s a nursing student at l’Université de Saint‑Boniface — balancing academics and coaching with passion and purpose.
Michelle Najduch
Coach