Eagle Gymnastics Academy
LEADERSHIP
Conner Payne, General Manager & Team Coach
Conner Payne became the General Manager of Eagle Gymnastics Academy in 2025, bringing nearly a decade of coaching and leadership experience to the role. He began coaching in 2016 and joined Eagle in 2024, quickly becoming an integral part of both the gym’s programs and culture.
With a broad background across multiple gymnastics disciplines, Conner has worked alongside national team members, elite-level athletes, and internationally recognized coaches, gaining valuable expertise in high-performance training and program management. His passion lies in program development, where he has successfully introduced advanced training pathways to help athletes reach their full potential.
As a leader, Conner is deeply committed to fostering growth, collaboration, and joy within the Eagle community. He strives to create an environment where athletes are challenged and supported, parents feel valued and informed, and coaches are empowered to thrive. Guided by Eagle’s Core Values, Conner’s mission is to ensure that every family’s experience at Eagle Gymnastics is positive, meaningful, and inspiring.
Education
MBA - University of Wisconsin
BS Molecular Cell Biology & Religion - Baylor University
Certifications
- Jeff Metzger Small Business Bootcamp 2025
- National Rated Men's Judge
- Level 10 Rated Women's Judge
- Women's Meet Director
- USAG National Congress 2022, 2023, 2024
- Safety Certification from USA Gymnastics
- Safe Sport Certified -from the U.S. Center of Safe Sport
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Heads Up to Youth Sports Concussion Training
- Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction from USA Gymnastics
Velvet Jones, Operations Manager & Women's Team Head Coach
Velvet Jones serves as both the Operations Manager and Women’s Team Head Coach at Eagle Gymnastics Academy. A former competitive gymnast herself, Velvet began coaching in 1998 and has been a cornerstone of Eagle since 2005. Over the years, she has built a reputation for her energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to helping athletes achieve their best.
Under Velvet’s leadership, Eagle gymnasts have consistently earned district, state, and regional titles, with several athletes qualifying for National TOPs testing. Beyond competitive success, she is equally devoted to the personal growth and development of her gymnasts, ensuring they build confidence, resilience, and a love for the sport.
Velvet is passionate about lifelong learning and regularly seeks educational opportunities to refine her coaching skills and strengthen her leadership. In her role as Operations Manager, she combines her deep coaching experience with strong organizational leadership, helping guide Eagle’s daily operations and ensuring a smooth, positive experience for athletes, families, and staff.
Her passion, knowledge, and dedication make Velvet an indispensable leader within the Eagle family and an inspiring role model to the athletes and staff she mentors.
Education
BA Doube Major in Chemistry and Music - Austin College 2005
Certifications
- Meet Director Certification
- Women's Artistic Gymnastics - Junior Olympic Team Coach
- Women's Artistic Gymnastics - National Coach
- U200 - Development Coaches Course: Sport Science
- U310 - Region 3 Congress
- W400 - National Coaches Course 2006
- MELPD - Movement Education & Lesson Plan Development
- Kinder Accreditation in Teaching
- National Elite Coaching Clinic, 2008
- USAG Brain and Body Course
- Safety Certification from USA Gymnastics
- Safe Sport Certified -from the U.S. Center of Safe Sport
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Heads Up to Youth Sports Concussion Training
- Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction from USA Gymnastics
Hospitality Team
Chloe
Hospitality Team Leader
Chloe, a former competitive cheerleader and NCA National Champion, has coached since 2010 and joined Eagle Gymnastics Academy in 2012. Known for her sweet disposition, Chloe has become one of Eagle's most beloved coaches, highly sought after by parents. She is passionate about helping young athletes reach their goals, teaching gymnastics skills and life lessons on becoming impressive young individuals. In addition to coaching, Chloe has transitioned to the role of Lead Office Administrator, where she continues to support the Eagle community with her dedication and positive influence.
Certifications
- Safety Certification from USA Gymnastics
- Safe Sport Certified -from the U.S. Center of Safe Sport
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Heads Up to Youth Sports Concussion Training
- Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction from USA Gymnastics
Melissa
Welcome Team
Melissa was a previous student at Eagle and started as a front office administrator in August 2022. She believes in ensuring excellent service standards, responding efficiently to customer inquiries, and maintaining high customer satisfaction. In addition, she graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a History degree in Spring of 2023 and is starting graduate school in the Spring of 2025 at Sam Houston State University for Political Science.
Education
Bachelor of History at the University of Texas at Dallas
Pursuing Master of Political Science at Sam Houston State University
Certifications
- Safety Certification from USA Gymnastics
- Safe Sport Certified -from the U.S. Center of Safe Sport
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Heads Up to Youth Sports Concussion Training
Vanessa
Welcome Team
Vanessa has been an office administrator at Eagle since 2021. She has always made it a priority to give our clients an exceptional customer experience. She attended Central New Mexico Community College and the University of New Mexico. Vanessa brings to Eagle an abundance of experience, including personal banking, human resources, and early childhood education.
Certifications
- Safety Certification from USA Gymnastics
- Safe Sport Certified -from the U.S. Center of Safe Sport
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Heads Up to Youth Sports Concussion Training
Eagle Coaches
Qualifications
It is extremely important to our company that we provide the highest quality of instruction to our clients. We carefully screen our staff to ensure they believe in our positive methods of coaching to help children reach their full potential.
Our coaches are required to have the following certifications to ensure a safe environment for our students:
- Safety Certification from USA Gymnastics
- Safe Sport Certified -from the U.S. Center of Safe Sport
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Heads Up to Youth Sports Concussion Training
- Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction from USA Gymnastics
- Competitive Coaches are also required to complete courses on their discipline.
For more information regarding the Educational Courses offered by USA Gymnastics, visit www.usagym.org
What makes us different...
Without a doubt, it is our people who make Eagle Gymnastics extraordinary. Joining our coaching team means becoming part of a vibrant community where passion drives purpose. While a strong resume is important, it is the heart, dedication, and energy you bring that truly set you apart. Our coaches, from collegiate to Olympic-level backgrounds, are more than just experts—they are mentors who inspire gymnasts to achieve their best, both in the gym and in life. Their unwavering commitment creates an empowering atmosphere where athletes grow, excel, and thrive. If you are seeking a place to make a lasting impact, there is no better team to join than the EGA Family. Here, your work will not only shape champions but also change lives. Are you ready to make a difference?
Junior Coaches and Special Event Staff
STAFF FAVORITES
CLICK THE PDF BELOW TO VIEW OUR STAFF'S FAVORITE TREATS, DRINKS, AND OTHER FUN ITEMS
A Tribute to Carol and Ginger
OUR PAST OWNERS
For more than two decades, Eagle Gymnastics Academy was blessed with the leadership, vision, and heart of its founders, Carol and Ginger. From the very beginning, they dedicated themselves to creating a place where children could discover their potential, families could find community, and staff could grow both personally and professionally.
Through their unwavering commitment, Eagle became more than a gym — it became a home. Their passion shaped not only the success of our athletes, but also the culture of respect, trust, and growth that continues to define us today.
In September 2025, Eagle Gymnastics Academy proudly joined Emler Swim and Gym, beginning a new chapter built on the strong foundation Carol and Ginger created. Though ownership has changed, their legacy remains deeply woven into every part of our academy.
We honor Carol and Ginger with gratitude for their 21 years of extraordinary service. Their vision, values, and devotion will forever be part of the Eagle story.
Carol Van Biezen, Owner
Carol completed her degree in Physical Education at the University of Calgary in 1992. She has been involved with gymnastics since a very young age and trained with the U of C gymnastics and tumbling teams while working on her degree.
She represented Canada at the Power Tumbling World Championships in Germany in 1990 with a 3rd place finish and in New Zealand in 1992 with a 5th place finish. She has been coaching many levels of gymnastics and tumbling since 1988 and has helped lead her athletes to many Provincial, District, and State titles in tumbling and gymnastics.
Education
Bachelor of Physical Education, University of Calgary, Alberta, CANADA, 1992.
Certifications
- USA Gymnastics Safety Certification and professional member since 1994
- Safe Sport Certified
- National Coaching Certification Program of Canada (NCCP) - Level 3 Theory
- NCCP - Gymnastics - Level 1 & 2
- NCCP - Trampoline - Level 1 & 2
- Athletic First Aid & CPR Certified
- National USA Gymnastics Compulsory Clinic 1996 & 2004
- National USA Gymnastics Congress - 2006
- Gymnastics Association of Texas Seminars
- KAT - Kinder Accreditation Training for teachers
- MELPD - Movement Education and Lesson Plan Development Certification
- CAT II Judge for Power Tumbling
- TT National Coach - USA Gymnastics
- Women's Meet Director - USA Gymnastics
- USA Gymnastics Instructor Certification
- USA Gymnastics National Team Coach
Ginger Fox, Owner
Ginger has a diploma in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal College in Calgary, AB, Canada, and has been coaching gymnastics since 1986. Ginger has coached all levels of gymnasts from the tiny tot to the competitive athlete and has helped lead many gymnasts to District and State titles.
Ginger was also a successful competitive gymnast competing Nationally throughout Canada in artistic gymnastics and Power tumbling. She represented Canada at the World Power Tumbling Championships in New Zealand in 1992 and finished 7th.
Education
Graduate in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal College, AB, CANADA, 1993
Certifications
- National Coaching Certification Program of Canada (NCCP) - Level 3 Theory
- NCCP - Gymnastics - Level 1 & 2
- NCCP - Trampoline - Level 1 & 2
- Athletic First Aid & CPR Certified
- USA Gymnastics Safety Certification
- National USA Gymnastics Compulsory Clinic 2004