A new Vernon gymnastics facility has been rocked by the one-year suspension of its head coach from the sport's national body.
The RISE Gymnastics Academy, which opened earlier in 2025, learned Sunday, May 4, that head coach Abderrahim Moussa had been suspended by Gymnastics Canada.
No reason for the suspension has been given.
"The reason (for the suspension) is not something we wish to comment on as the reason for the suspension is being contested in a court of law," said Shiv Sengupta, a contracted human resources representative for RISE Gymnastics Academy.
"Mr. Moussa is pursuing legal recourse to have this matter settled judicially in the courts."
The Gymnastics Canada website said Moussa was suspended on April 30, 2025.
"He is suspended from all gymnastics-related activities and member privileges for one year," said the governing body. "He is prohibited from any leadership, managerial, or coaching position until Sept. 20, 2026. Reinstatement is subject to approval."
Moussa brought more than 25 years of gymnastics coaching experience to Vernon with him and, according to Sengupta, "is a highly respected worldwide coach."
He developed national-level gymnastics athletes in Canada, Morocco, France, and Dubai. Moussa is also a National Coaching Certification Program coach developer with Gymnastics Canada.
He was the winner of the Coaching Excellence Award in Ontario in 2021.
To Sengupta's knowledge, Moussa has never been suspended before.
Asked if the suspension would make RISE look at its hiring policies, Sengupta said the gym's policies are "very robust."
"We pursue vigorous background, criminal record, and reference checks," said Sengupta. "We had no way of knowing any of this (suspension) would transpire."
Sengupta confirmed Moussa is no longer coaching at RISE.
Dominique Blanchard, a coach with more than 20 years experience, and well-known in the Vernon gymnastics community, has taken over on an interim basis.
In a story published online with the Morning Star on April 8, the RISE Gymnastics Academy described itself as a "state-of-the-art gymnastics building open for all ages and abilities."
To learn more about RISE, visit www.risegymacademy.com.
