Our Teachers
Jemma Owens
Associate & Owner
Jemma started Belrose Physie in 2012 when she realised that there was a need for a more progressive and contemporary dance style in the Belrose/Forest area. Having taught alongside very experienced and successful Physie teachers since she was 13, she felt that the time was right to take the leap and begin a small club of her own.
Physie is in Jemma's blood, and the connections that Physie brings between mothers and daughters is one of her favourite parts of the sport. Having done Physie herself, her mother started her and her sister at the local club when Jemma was just 6 years old. This is an element of the sport Jemma is now enjoying with her own daughter.
As an experienced Primary School teacher from the local area, Jemma combines her two passions of education and dance to create a fun, safe and rewarding environment in which her students are encouraged to reach their personal goals, improve their dance and fitness skills and most importantly have fun!!
Jemma teaches all ages, from tiny tots through to ladies. Since opening the club in 2012, Jemma has seen all her students grow, improve and blossom in confidence. However, the club's achievements that stand out are the three National Champion titles, numerous National placegetters in Junior, Senior and Ladies sections, and in particular in 2016 when Jemma had three Junior teams and two senior teams place 1st in their respective sections.
Still competing herself at the highest level, Jemma achieved the pinnacle of Physie and Dance in 2013 when she won the National Title in the U33 Ladies section. In addition to her National Title, Jemma has also achieved numerous other National Top 6 places throughout her 25 year Physie career. As a result of her experience in competing at the highest level, Jemma understands what it takes to achieve such results at the annual National Competitions.
Olivia Haerland
Associate
Olivia has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She started physie when she was 8 and loves it! She is trained in classical ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz and musical theatre but her passion is physie. Since starting physie she has competed at many Nationals and has been a part of 3 winning Belrose teams!
Olivia started assisting Jemma from age 12 - demonstrating in the 5-8s class. This year she will teach the 7-8s and the 9-12s.
Olivia is a fourth-year University student studying a Bachelor of Education at the Australian Catholic University. As well as physie and dance she loves to babysit/nanny and on a Sunday you will find her playing soccer for Wakehurst FC. She loves teaching all the Belrose physie kids and hopes to be a part of this club for many, many years to come!
Eloise Britton
Associate
Eloise has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been a member of Belrose Physie and dance since the age of 8. During her time at Belrose Physie, Eloise has competed at the National Championships for many years and has also competed in many award winning teams for the club.
Eloise is also trained in many other dance styles including Lyrical, Jazz, Ballet and contemporary. Eloise loves physie as it crosses through all disciplines of dance. She is looking forward to offering support and encouragement to the younger girls of the club and helping them achieve their goals.
Miss Eloise will be teaching the 13-1st Year class this year. Eloise has been teaching the Tinies and assisting with the 5-8 years for several years now, and she loves to share her skills and love of Physie with a gorgeous group of girls.
Zefaria Armatas
Associate
Zefaria has been dancing since the age of 3, Jazz was always her favourite genre and she loves dancing for enjoyment and being part of the school eisteddfod groups. It wasn't until she started at Belrose physie at the age of 10 that her love for dance grew even more and learnt so much more than to just dance! Zefaria loved being part of a Team and part of the club. She found in the early days that she was never too keen on the competition part but now she absolutely loves it!
Zefaria always looked up to the older giris and ladies and one day hoped to teach and be as good as them. She loves children and when asked to assistant teach, she was over the moon as it was always a dream to teach!
Zefaria loves seeing the joy on the girl's faces when they dance and perform. Teaching the younger girls and watching their constant improvement is such a joy. She feels truly blessed to be part of this amazing club and is looking forward to 2024!
Amelia Suters
Associate
Both physie and dance have been an integral part of Millie's life since the age of six. She is trained in a variety of dance styles, however classical ballet has always been Millie’s passion. At the age of twelve, Millie was selected for and had the privilege of training with the Australian Ballet School as part of their Interstate Training Program. Being part of this program for two years gave her the opportunity to train under some of Australia’s leading ballet teachers and choreographers.
Since her first year of physie, Millie has competed at the National Level. She has made a number of National Finals and has also been awarded a National Place on four occasions, with her highest placing being a National 3rd.
Millie began teaching at Belrose Physie & Dance in 2012, teaching alongside her Aunty, Jemma. Amongst her highlights as a physie teacher are assisting her students in achieving National Finals and Placings, including two National Titles.
Millie has completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and is working as a full-time physio as well as teaching our ladies.
Lauren Barclay
Associate
Lauren first started physie at age 5 and has competed as a junior, senior and lady throughout the years in both champion girl and teams. Whilst she has had a few 'breaks' throughout this time, Lauren has never found a more rewarding or well-rounded fitness option than her weekly physie classes.
Physie is more than just fitness for Lauren... It's her happy place. A time to zone out the business of life around her: a safe space to dance, laugh and share her love of Lyera with her fellow ladies: and a chance to strive for excellence in performing the syllabus each year. Lauren has also had the joy of watching her daughter start physie in the 5-8s class, where Luella has benefited from all of these things in addition to improving her concentration, body awareness/proprioception, her confidence and joy in movement.
Lauren will be teaching the senior class this year alongside Jemma and is excited for this new adventure!
Gemma Clarke
Assistant Teacher
Gemma was born to do physie, having both her Mum and Nan competing in physie when they were younger. Gemma lives and breathes all styles of dance but physie is her No.1 passion and couldn’t wait to start with Belrose physie and began competing at the age of 4.
She is continuing her love of physie by helping with the 5-8 yrs classes this year and is excited to share her passion and skills with the girls.
While physie is her passion she has also trained in Ballet, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary and jazz. When not doing physie or attending school Gemma loves playing soccer for Wakehurst FC, playing clarinet in the school band, hanging out with friends and shopping.
Julie Haerland
Club Secretary
Julie started physie when she was 5 years old. She only competed for a few years but the fond physie memories from her childhood lead her back to physie when looking for some extra dance for her daughter Olivia when she was 8. She became a member of Belrose Physie in 2013 and loves that this sport is something she can share as a mum with her daughter! There are not too many sports where this can happen and that make physie very special! She also loves that physie is such a social activity while it also keeps her mind and body active and its a sport that can be done by ladies of all shapes and sizes!