Our Fitness Coaches

Uriah Skudder

Gym Manager 

Uriah has been in the CrossFit industry for the past decade, within those years she has had two beautiful young daughters and has been coaching for the last 3 years. 
Uriah's passion is functional fitness but also has a background in Health Sciences completed through the 
Naturopathic College of New Zealand. 

Since becoming a mother Uriah has been driven to inspire other mothers/women to become the best versions of themselves, to know what their bodies are capable of and support them pre/post-partum. 

Uriah enjoys competing competitively within the CrossFit community and is always up for a good challenge. 

Michaela Edwards

Fitness Coach

Michaela holds a diploma in Sport and Recreation and is currently pursuing a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. With over two years of experience as a personal trainer, she adeptly manages her academic pursuits while imparting her knowledge to fitness enthusiasts. Michaela's dedication extends beyond the gym, and has been an avid CrossFit competitor for five years, finding inspiration and community within this dynamic 
and challenging discipline. Having lived in Canada for a year, Michalea
embraced and absorbed different facets of health and wellness. Her love for an active lifestyle led her to take people of all age ranges through exhilarating outdoor activities, including high ropes, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. 

Tyler Creighton 

Fitness Coach

After completing a Bachelor of Human Performance Science, Tyler has recently finished an 8-month stint with the Chiefs Rugby Team and is currently completing his Master of Health Science through Massey University, where he is researching fatigue and cognitive performance during exercise.

Tyler’s athletic background stems from weightlifting - originally a competitor himself, he is now involved as a referee and within Weightlifting New Zealand. Since stepping back from competition, he has shifted his focus to more endurance-based pursuits, particularly open water swimming and various ultra-distance challenges. Having spent some time in Hawke’s Bay previously and being a former member here at Royston, he says the facility was a big draw to come back.

Anton Jacques

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Fitness Coach

While completing his Bachelor in Sport and Exercise, Majoring in Exercise Prescription at Massey University, Anton began gaining experience as an S&C Coach through internships with the Wellington Phoenix Academy and the Wellington Lions. This resulted in further work within Rugby, working with Old Boys University Rugby Club and Wellington Rugby.

With a desire to branch out into different sports, Anton completed another internship with High Performance Sport New Zealand where he was exposed to a range of sports and athletes.

Outside of work Anton enjoys fishing, watching rugby, rugby league, and the UFC.

Jack Facer

Fitness Coach

Jack studied Exercise Prescription and Leadership at Otago Polytechnic, holds a CrossFit Level 2 Coaching Certification, and has been a qualified coach and trainer for over 13 years.

Known for his motivational coaching style, Jack creates a supportive yet challenging environment focused on strength training, functional movement, conditioning, and sports performance. His holistic approach to fitness includes nutrition guidance, mental conditioning, and recovery strategies to help clients achieve balanced, sustainable results.

Passionate about CrossFit, Jack has competed in numerous challenges and values the strong sense of community it brings. He’s driven to push his own limits in the gym and inspires others to do the same.

Daniel Stuart

Fitness Coach

Daniel holds a diploma in Sport and Exercise Science and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in the same field 
through EIT. He is eager to collaborate with members, 
athletes, and sports teams to help them achieve their goals.
 
With a lifelong involvement in various sports, especially rugby, Daniel's expertise extends beyond the gym. Born and raised in Hawkes Bay, he looks forward to connecting with the local community. 

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As a dedicated rugby player for Hastings Rugby and Sport Premiers, if Daniel isn't in the gym, you'll find him honing his skills on the rugby field.

Lucas Brosset

Associate Strength & Conditioning Coach | Fitness Coach

Lucas holds qualifications in Sport Performance Optimisation and Sport Training, specialising in muscular reinforcement and rehabilitation. With a background in Canoe Polo, Lucas has competed in many many European Cups at the ICF U18 and U21 levels. His experience at this level has given him a strong understanding of the importance of structured training programmes and effective recovery practices.

Before moving to New Zealand, Lucas worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Canoe Vertou in France, supporting the 1st division of the French national canoe polo league. Lucas is passionate about athletic development, injury prevention, and creating tailored rehabilitation programmes to support long-term performance.

Katie Beal

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Fitness Coach

Katie is a recent graduate from the University of Canterbury where she earned a Bachelor of Sport Coaching, majoring in Sport Science and minoring in Performance Analysis. During her studies, she gained hands-on experience through a performance analysis internship with the Trident Homes Tactix, which further fuelled her passion for sports and performance development.

A Hawke’s Bay local, Katie grew up immersed in sports, particularly netball, and was once an athlete within the Hawke’s Bay High Performance Sport Centre (HBHPSC). Now, in a full-circle moment, she’s transitioned from athlete to coach, eager to expand her knowledge across various disciplines. By staying curious and adaptable, Katie ensures her coaching is personalized to meet the unique needs of each individual she works with. 

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