TECHNICAL LEADS

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

ZOEY GASKIN

UTE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

ZOEY GASKIN

I have been involved in baton twirling since a young age. My journey from an athlete to a coach, judge, and clinician at various levels. Serving on the National Executive committee of the BBTSA since 2009, I have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the sport within the organisation.

I have had roles on the European judge commission of the WBTF and collaboration with the IBTF in developing the judging system. I was honoured with a special recognition award from the WBTF in 2023.

As a clinician, I have played a crucial role in the professional education and development of the BBTSA, delivering knowledge both domestically and internationally. Leading the technical committee.

My dedication to baton twirling is unwavering, and I look forward to the future with enthusiasm, eager to continue making a positive impact on the sport I love.

HEAD OF EDUCATION

KEITH LAMBERT

UTE HEAD OF EDUCATION

KEITH LAMBERT

I have been passionately involved in the world of baton twirling since the age of 10. My competitive career began with the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA), where I twirled for many years alongside Danny Dawes and the Oasis Twirlstars.

After my competitive career, I transitioned to the British Baton Twirling Sports Association (BBTSA), recognising the limited presence of NBTA teams in the northern regions where I live.

Currently, I am a coach, judge, and grade examiner with BBTSA. As the joint Head of Education, I am committed to fostering the growth and development of athletes, coaches, and judges. I aim to make a lasting impact on the sport, ensuring that my contributions benefit the entire baton twirling community and help shape its future.

HEAD OF EDUCATION

DANA WESTON

UTE HEAD OF EDUCATION

DANA WESTON

I started twirling when I was 5 years old and stopped competitive twirling in 2012, after the NBTA world championships in Switzerland. I had many successes during my twirling career including many National Titles as well as representing England on many occasions for individual and team events, achieving numerous top 3 places.

I gained my NBTA teacher/judges qualification at the age of 16 and have been a member of the NBTA technical board for the last 16 years. More recently I have been the coaching representative for NBTA. I have also had the opportunity to work with and look after the England team. This has been one of my most loved roles on the technical board and I have seen athletes achieve many top international places in this time. I became a European levels assessor in 2016 and have been supporting those wanting to represent England to pass these exams. I am also an international judge but my heart sits with supporting the athletes as a coach at this level.

I have recently been appointed on the new UTE technical board as Head of Education for coaching. I am excited to start this new journey and help shape the future of twirling in England.

HEAD OF COACHING (L1&2)

DANNY DAWES

UTE HEAD OF COACHING LEVEL 1 & 2

DANNY DAWES

I started Twirling at the age of 8 and retired from Individual Competitions at 17, only to return 2 years later to compete at the 1993 World Championships. During this time, I was lucky enough to have great success on a National & International Level, winning 5 World Gold Medals (2 *AYOP World Open), 13 European Golds and numerous National and Regional Titles.

In 1989, Oasis Twirlstars was formed, this was when coaching became a real passion. With hard work and dedication, the team have had success not only in England but also on the international stage. At the 1995 European Championships, the team represented England for the first time, managing to win 2 team titles. Over the next 20+ years, we have collected at total of 11 team Golds. In 2015, I was lucky enough to coach the team to a World Gold in Bannieres. Most recent team success was at the last WFNBTA World Championships in 2022, where we collected a Silver Medal in Twirl Team. Along with the team success, my athletes have won many Individual titles covering all disciplines with the most recent being at the 2024 European Championships, winning 3 Gold medals.

Passing my Judges exam in 1990 and my European Exam in 1994, I continued to judge until 2008, As part of NBTA’s Technical Board, I also rotated with the other members as Head Judge at Regionals and Nationals. After a 5-year gap from Judging, I requalified for NBTA England in 2014 and WFNBTA European qualification in 2017. In 2022, I completed all the Seminars/Practicums to become approved as an IBTF Judge. Over the last 30 years, I have had the privilege to work on the Technical Board for 3 associations, I was also England Team Coach for over 10 Years. I now have the honour to be part of the 2025 UTE Technical Team and I’m looking forward to supporting the growth and advancement of the sport we love.

HEAD OF COACHING (L3&4)

MAXINE HALFORD

UTE HEAD OF COACHING LEVEL 3 & 4

MAXINE HALFORD

I've been involved in twirling for the last 50 years, as an athlete and then a judge and coach within both the BBTSA and NBTA. I have taught generations of athletes from first time twirlers through to seeing them take the floor as international athletes.

I have vast experience of both judging and coaching, having been part of the technical board for NBTA Europe for several years supporting teacher and judges development, for baton twirling and majorettes, as well as supporting judges courses within the IBTF.

It's a privilege to be involved in the UTE and develop this organisation to become something special, and the place for future generations to come and make lifelong friendships and enjoy this exciting sport of baton twirling.

HEAD OF JUDGING

JENNA SPICER

UTE HEAD OF JUDGING

JENNA SPICER

As an athlete from the age of 7, an only child, twirling was my introduction to an entirely new world. A world that was mine, different to my parents and school friends. An activity that promoted fitness, gave me a new circle of friends, a busy timetable of extracurricular activities and taught me the importance of teamwork, responsibility and commitment.

Teams were always my favourite event and I have been lucky enough to represent England in both European and World Championships.

I have been judging since 1999, internationally since 2002. Judging also for majorettes from 2006-2012. In 2015 I became a European levels assessor and I have sat on the NBTA Technical Board as the Judging Coordinator since 2017.

As part of the Executive Committee, I have been involved in the formation of UTE and I am incredibly excited for all of us working together for the future of Baton Twirling.

Athlete ready to compete in starting pose

COMPETITION MANAGER

CLAIRE WHITE

UTE COMPETITION MANAGER

CLAIRE WHITE

I started twirling back when I was only 3 years old and now 35 years later, I love the sport more than ever. I competed from a Tiny Tot through to adult, from a beginner through to competing for England and have won many National titles along the way. A personal highlight was competing in Jacksonville where we won the bronze medal for our group performance.

Then I retired gracefully and decided it was time to give back to the sport that had given me so much over the years. Along with my mum and sister we started a club. I have qualified as a bbtsa level 1 coach, judge, grade examiner and also a Wbtf judge.

Since having my little girl it is like watching history repeat itself as she picked up her baton and started twirling at 3 years old too. Watching her love the sport and make friendships for life is amazing.

I have also been competition officer for many years for Region 15 and many of you will know me as one of the twins (we aren’t but everyone thinks we are). We also loved the honour of being involved in the organisation for Liverpool.

I can’t wait to see the future of UTE. New memories to be made and together we will be stronger

COACHING TECH (L1&2)

JESS WHITBOURN

UTE COACHING TECHNICIAN LEVEL 1 & 2

JESS WHITBOURN

I run Twirl-Versity based in a Hampshire and this is our 6th year running. I started twirling at the age of 3 and finished my competitive twirling career at the age of 21 at the 2018 WBTF World Championships in the USA!

I am a BBTSA coach, BBTSA grade examiner, BBTSA judge and WBTF judge!

I have coached and continue to coach many athletes in England as well as athletes internationally over Zoom during COVID from the USA, Canada, Scotland and Norway. In my judging career so far I’ve had the pleasure to judge nationally and internationally including the international selections for Slovenia and in Spain for the Spanish Open.

Away from baton twirling, I am a qualified Acrobatic Arts and Alixa Flexibility instructor which plays a vital part of my work in the sport of baton twirling.

I have recently been appointed as the UTE Technician for Coaches of Level 1 & Level 2 status. I am looking forward to working with the UTE and their Technical Members to help develop our athletes, coaches and country.

COACHING TECH (L3&4)

DAWN LANGSTON

UTE COACHING TECHNICIAN LEVEL 3 & 4

DAWN LANGSTON

Having always been interested in sport and having already tried gymnastics, high board diving, trampolining, and horse riding I started in the world of baton more years ago than I care to remember initially as a majorette. Progressed through the various contest levels to become multinational champion in both BBTSA and NBTA along with winning contests in Jersey, Ireland, and the USA.

England Team member for both BBTSA and NBTA and England Team Captain for the inaugural NBTA European Championships winning Solo/Dance and becoming bronze medallist in 2/3 baton.

Following retirement from competition I started judging and consider it an honour to have judged for England at both European and World level. Aside from a short break for family reasons in 2001 I have been a member of the NBTA Technical Board since 1988, definitely the oldie! Over the years I have been involved with the setting up and running of the teacher/judges’ courses and have always enjoyed watching people grow into these roles.

From a coaching perspective I ran my own team, Topaz for many years achieving numerous successes with both individual athletes and teams at national, European and World level with our highest international placings containing European individual Champions and teams gaining silver medals at world levels. Having disbanded my own team, I moved across to Oasis and enjoy working alongside the rest of the coaching team.

My favourite thing to teach is rolls and anything where I get to nag feet and technique.

WELLBEING COORDINATOR

GEMMA MILNE

UTE WELLBEING COORDINATOR

GEMMA MILNE

I have been a member of the NBTA Technical board since 2008 and the through that time have seen many changes in our sport!

I completed my NBTA European exams in 2010 and have judged internationally European and World competions almost every year since then. I consider myself very lucky to have seen many parts of the world due to this and have made many friends overseas!

I also coach and run the Gemini Twirl Team who are based in Poole, Dorset and have done since 2003. Personally I’m married with a son called Alby and we have a crazy Cockerpoo dog called Betty! I work as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist working with children with special educational needs.

I am very much looking forward to seeing our sport develop and flourish as we merge to UTE.

JUDGES ASSISTANT

SAMMIE MAGUIRE

UTE JUDGES ASSISTANT

SAMMIE MAGUIRE

I started out as a majorette at a young age after trying all the regular girl sports like gymnastics, ballet and horse riding and quickly fell in love with the blending of everything in this one unique sport. I moved into the twirling side in the late 90’s and fell deeper in love and eventually moved into coaching/choreographing.

Knowing that I was coming to the end of my competitive journey following a hip operation I decided to pursue judging. Qualifying as a national judge, but feeling I was missing out by no longer going to the international competitions I later studied to become an international master judge and technical specialist.

I’m excited to be working within UTE to develop and grow the sport of baton twirling into the future and one day into the mainstream sporting events around the world.

Meet the team… introducing United Twirl England’s Technical lead roles who are a dedicated group of experts responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of baton twirling in England. This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that the sport is practiced and judged according to the highest standards.

Their primary responsibilities include:

Developing and Updating Rules: They ensure that the rules and regulations are up-to-date and in line with international standards.
Training and Certification: The board oversees the training and certification of coaches and judges, ensuring they meet the required standards of excellence.
Innovation and Development: The committee is committed to the continuous improvement of the sport, introducing new techniques and methodologies to enhance performance and judging accuracy.
Support and Guidance: They provide ongoing support and guidance to athletes, coaches, and judges, helping to shape the future of baton twirling in England.

The UTE Technical lead roles are instrumental in promoting the sport, fostering talent, and maintaining the integrity and quality of baton twirling competitions. Their collaborative efforts ensure that the sport continues to grow and evolve, providing opportunities for athletes to excel on both national and international stages.