Justin Pimm BSc (Hons) ASCC, founder of Pouncing Panthers, has led a colourful life so far!
Born and raised in South Africa until the age of 16, Justin was always an active child growing up, with a burning passion for all things sports. He was thus an avid tennis player, cricketer, rugby player and runner to name but a few of the sports he tried his hand at... with varying amounts of success he might add!
Following a family relocation which saw him sail around the world from their home in South Africa to Canada, Justin rose to the challenge whilst still successfully completing 4 A-levels. Finally settling down in Canada after two years at sea, it was here that Justin’s passion for sport diversified, now including the likes of ice hockey, skiing and golf.
At the age of 20 Justin’s passion for travelling and moreover sailing, had not quite been fulfilled yet. He would then go on to spend the next two years working on a 172ft private yacht, travelling between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, honing his seamanship before finally residing in the UK.
Here Justin took on the position as a Senior Tennis Coach at Woodfield Grove Tennis Club in south London where he gained a fantastic reputation over his 7 years of working there, for being a dynamic and inspirational coach and mentor for aspiring tennis players of all ages.
Hard work has always been a prerequisite for Justin, which was indeed illustrated when, not wanting to rest on his laurels, he decided to undertake his Bachelor of Science degree in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary’s University in Twickenham. All this whilst simultaneously working full time at the tennis club, Justin’s strong work ethic and dedication meant that he would graduate with a 1st Class Honours degree.
Not one for mediocrity, Justin decided to get married in this year too!
During Justin’s degree he took on some invaluable work experience within several elite sporting environments including Surrey Cricket and The National Tennis Centre, working with notable names such as Jason Roy, Ricky Ponting and Jamie Murray. This in-turn led to Justin accepting the prestigious position as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at one of the LTA's High Performance Tennis Centres - the West Hants Tennis Academy, Bournemouth.
Justin’s continued passion for creating sporting opportunities for all children, regardless of ability lead to the creation of Pouncing Panthers. Justin is hoping that his own children, Jonty and Savannah, will inherit this same exuberance for life and passion for sport - and that they too can grow up playing... the way nature intended!
Hi! Im Victoria, I’ll be the one that will answer your phone calls and messages on email and social media.
You may also find me with your children from day to day assisting our managers and generally trying to keep up!! I set up Pouncing Panthers with my husband Justin in 2016 with a desire to provide outstanding childcare, where the children are desperate to go and once there, desperate to stay!
A little bit about me; my background is in fashion, graduating with a 2:1 from University before taking a vacancy at Jenny Packham and working my way up to Head Bridalwear Designer. After 5 years I made the bold decision to head off traveling the globe for a year, solo in 2005.
Spending the year visiting India, South East Asia, Australasia and South America I soaked in culture, experiences and new friendships. Bungy jumping, Sky Diving, sleeping under the stars at Uluru and climbing the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu were particular highlights but my time spent volunteering at the Tsunami Volunteer Centre in Koh Lak affected my outlook on life forever.
On my return I set up a successful lingerie design company in London called Fred & Ginger. My designs were featured on countless celebrities and in top fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle. I directed a Fred & Ginger photoshoot on an hour long episode of Britain’s Next Top Model and my collections were sold in Selfridges amongst 70 other High End shops and boutiques around the world. I won ‘Cool Brand’ Status as well as Best Female Entrepeneur, South London, 2012.
Those years were quite the ride until I met Justin and everything changed! Boys eh?!
Married in 2012 it didn’t take us long before we were expecting Savannah, our first born, Jonty arrived just 20 months later! Buisness woman and mother of ‘two under two’ nearly broke me. That’s when we made the decision to close Fred & Ginger and move to the beautiful South Coast from the hustle and bustle of London... and we’ve never looked back!
We’ve absolutely loved getting Pouncing Panthers off the ground and meeting such wonderful local people that we can now call friends. I also create bespoke wedding dresses on the the side... check out www.fredandgingerbride.com. We love what we do .. and our kids do too!
Come and say hi sometime!
Sam Wilkes
Sam Wilkes has been the Le Club Français & El Club Español Area Co-ordinator for the Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch conurbation for the past 2 years ago and has nearly 100 children a week in her afterschool classes.
Sam has a wealth of business experience, having previously worked in the Bloodstock Industry and Telecoms and has used her love of the French language throughout her working life, through translation, interpreting and liaison.
Le Club Français & El Club Español has been successfully operating in the area for the last 25 years and is an active language learning programme, delivered in a fun, club environment.
Specifically designed to introduce the French and Spanish languages and culture to early learners and primary children, we then build confidence in our members, concentrating on tone, diction and pronunciation. All our Club Leaders are native or fluently bi-lingual.
Each club session consists of a language learning point, an opportunity to practise what has been learnt in previous weeks and plenty of games, songs, stories, crafts and activities, to strengthen this learning procedure.
Join us for this summer course at Pouncing Panthers, where your child will be taken on “Un Tour de France” with a stop-over in Paris, buying ice creams on a Spanish beach and ordering their favourite meals in our role-play café; everything they need for their next holiday to France or Spain!
Lisa Murphy
Lisa's a mindfulness, meditation teacher and holistic therapist. She's worked in a school with children age 8-19 for 22 years now. Specialising in autism, associated conditions & mental health. 10 years being in education and the last 12 years in the Therapy department (Well-being Clinical Team) delivering alternative therapies, teaching mindfulness and self-care strategies.
Some of her most relevant training/qualifications being:
- Incredible Years training
- Relaxation, Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor (Teacher Training Diploma)
- Mindfulness, CBT & Well-being Coach (Teach Training Instructor)
- Smart Young Minds, Mindfulness, Resilience & Well-being Schools Coach (Teacher Training Diploma)
- Heartfulness Healing Technique (Teacher Training Certificate)
- Mindfulness Practitioner Course
- Children Do Yoga Teacher Training (2021)
Her philosophy being to better support all children through positive praise, growth mindset & teaching ways in which we can bring balance to our lives from an early age.
Out in the community Lisa runs mindfulness workshops, meditation & relaxation evenings & mini retreat mornings for adults/parents.
Anastasia Maunder-Taylor
Hi, I’m Anastasia and I started working at Pouncing Panthers at the end of Summer 2022. I will be going to Chichester University in September 2023 to study Primary Teaching and so helping out here at Pouncing Panthers is wonderful experience.
In my spare time I enjoy dancing and have taken many exams in styles such ballet, freestyle and musical theatre. I am currently assisting two dance classes a week at my dance studio.
I cannot wait to see everyone again in the holidays as I absolutely love working with the Pouncing Panthers team and all the children!
Elsie Taylor-Saunders
Hello! My name is Elsie, I’m 25 and I’m joining the wonderful Pouncing Panthers team in April 2023!
I am currently a Learning Support Assistant in a special school located in Bournemouth. I have worked at multiple holiday camps and youth clubs in which I have supported children with special needs, disabilities & complex learning difficulties on a 1:1 and group basis.
I have gained a 1st Class degree in Sociology at the University of Sussex in which I had studied the ‘Sociology of Childhood’ and ‘Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Education’.
Previously, I had worked for HM Prison and Probation Service, coordinating Offending Behavior Programs and Interventions. Whilst working as a civil servant I had received ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences & Trauma Awareness’ training.
My interests include any outdoors-y activities, getting creative with crafts, listening to music and enjoying nature. More specifically, I have a personal fascination with the gut-brain connection, nutrition and its impacts on mental health and brain function.
(I’m also a loud and proud Dyslexic!)
Kalven
Hi my name is Kalven, I am 41 and live locally with my wife and my 8 year old son. I have worked in an SEN school for the past 18 years both as a carer and my current role of Teaching Assistant.
Prior to this I attended Brockenhurst College where I attained a Cache level 2 award and Cache level 3 diploma in Child care and education. In my spare time I enjoy art /drawing, and other activities include swimming with my family.
Ella Bravey
Hi, I’m Ella and will be joining Pouncing Panthers starting summer 2022. I am hoping to study Biomedicine at Birmingham University in September, but love dance and anything art related in my free time.
I have spent time in the past year working at an after school club, and I also have experience babysitting and assisting my dance teacher for younger classes.
I am so excited for the opportunity to be helping the kids to have an amazing time.
Tom Sear
Hi, I’m Tom. I’m joining Pouncing Panthers for the 2022 summer holidays. I’m currently a teaching assistant working within a school that specialises in Autism and associated conditions. This October I will be starting university to become a PE teacher.
I have achieved many awards within multiple sports, with one of them being playing internationally for the England Volleyball team.
I am really looking forward to getting to know the children at Pouncing Panthers to create memories and to have some fun!
