My name is Emma, I have been doing cheer for 11 years and I’m currently on 2 teams at Outlaws Allstars, Sharpshooters (4.2) and G.I. Janes (5NT). I absolutely love cheerleading and am excited to be coaching level 1 this year. I can’t wait to help the athletes gain knowledge on cheer and help build their confidence in themselves.

Hi, my name is Debbie. I am the co-coach of Deakin Blaze, level 1/2 non-tumble. I have been a part of this club for 4 years. I started my cheerleading journey in 2021, starting on level 1/2 at Deakin, and cheered with the club for 2 years on levels 1/2 and 3/4. Since then, I have moved into All-Star, where I have progressed my skills and competed on a 4.2 and 6 non-tumble team. In 2024, I had the opportunity to compete in the Cheerleading World Championships in Orlando, Florida, where my team came 6th in the world in the 6 non-tumble division.

I am a level 1 and 2 credentialed coach with 2 years of coaching experience. I am passionate about creating an environment where athletes can bond with one another to develop friendships, push athletes to help them achieve their goals and skills, and allow them a safe space to express themselves. I am excited to see all the athletes in the club grow to develop skills, confidence, and friendships that will be transferable into everyday life.

Stefan Orfanos (he/him) is this year’s Blaze (Level 1/2) Cheerleading Coach, alongside Debbie. Accredited to coach up to Level 4, he has coached for three years at Atomic All Stars and ACU Cheer Melbourne. He has competed up to Level 6 and previously served as President of ACU Cheer Melbourne, doubling its size before becoming President of ACU’s Student Union. Now studying a Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University, Stefan remains passionate about University Cheer. He values how the sport builds strong role models; promoting integrity, work ethic, and professionalism, while pushing athletes to be their best.

My name is Shoshana, and I have been involved in the cheer community since 2016. A few years into my journey as an athlete, I realized my strong passion for the sport and made the decision to become a coach.

I have been coaching since 2019, and over the years, I have had the privilege of running programs for athletes aged 4 to 18+ at All-Star gyms. Additionally, I’ve attended month-long training camps in the United States and continuously strive to stay updated on the latest developments in the sport.

I am proud of my personal athletic accomplishments, which remain a source of motivation and inspiration. I have had the honour of competing at the World Cheerleading Championships twice, placing in the top 10 in one of the most competitive divisions.

As a Level 6 athlete, I understand the critical importance of mastering foundational skills at every level. This is why I am thrilled to coach the Level 1 and Development 3 teams at Deakin, where I can help athletes build strong technical foundations.

I am excited to witness our athletes grow both personally and athletically, and I look forward to a fun and successful year ahead!

Hey Dragons! My name is JD and I am coaching Flame this year! 

This is my first year being a part of Deakin Cheer but my passion for cheer started in 2009. I moved to Melbourne from Hong Kong 3 years ago to pursue my studies and experience all-star cheer! 

I started coaching in 2014 and from all my experiences both as an athlete and coach, what I find most fulfilling is seeing the growth and development of my athletes over time and building strong bonds along the way. 

I am so excited to work alongside Katelyn and all the amazing Deakin coaches this year. 

Looking forward to a successful year ahead!

Hey, my name is Katelyn, I’ve been doing cheer since the end of 2015 and have been obsessed ever since. I’m currently in Melbourne Cheer academy Dragons and am heading to worlds on April. 

This is my third year coaching at Deakin and am super excited to see the athletes growth throughout the year and building up their confidence in learning new skills!

My name is Sarah Marcun and it is currently my first ever year as a coach and I will be assisting the flyers across the Deakin teams. I have been cheering for 10 years! I started my journey at MCA in 2015 having gained experience in level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 before moving to SCC in 2021 to join their level 7 team Legacy. I am currently still cheering at SCC in legacy for the 2025 season. I was lucky enough to go to worlds in 2023 with not only my All Star team but also apart of Team Australia All Girl (TAGG) to represent our country. For my first ever worlds trip we had great success with TAGG globing 1st (FINALLY GOT A RING) and Legacy globing in 2nd! I am a current Deakin student studying Commerce and cannot wait to get to know everyone this year!!

Meg Pitham is a powerhouse in the hip hop dance scene, bringing over 20 years of experience and an unstoppable drive to every stage she steps on. A force to be reckoned with, she spent five years dominating the floor with Outlaws All Stars, competing with elite teams Delta, 1DC, and NKC.

Beyond her own performance career, Meg has built a reputation as a top-tier coach, leading teams to success with her expertise and dynamic leadership. She’s coached Swinburne Hip Hop (2018-2019), Outlaws Infamous (2023-2025), Outlaws NKC (2024), Outlaws Hijinks (2025), Deakin O.N.E (2024-2025), and Deakin T.W.O (2025)—shaping dancers into champions and pushing boundaries with every routine.

Known for her fierce choreography, sharp eye for detail, and ability to bring out the best in every dancer, Meg is a name that resonates across the All Star Dance industry.

Katie’s (she/her) passion for dance began in Queensland, where she trained in a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, tap and acrobatics. Throughout her school years, she competed extensively in competitions across Queensland, excelling in group, duo, and solo performances. Katie successfully completed her CSTD examinations in ballet, jazz, and tap. After moving to Melbourne, Katie continued her dance journey with two years of full-time training at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance.

Throughout her time at Deakin University, she joined the premier jazz, lyrical, pom and 3/4 cheerleading teams. During this time, Katie was introduced to the all-star world of Pom and quickly developed a deep love for the discipline. Upon completing her undergraduate degree in 2022, Katie pursued a career as a Radiographer at Monash Health while continuing to nurture her dance career with Pacific Elite Dance.

In 2024, Katie began coaching Pom at Deakin University, leading both the premier and open teams to top 5 finishes at Nationals. As a coach with Deakin Cheer and Dance in 2025, she is thrilled to continue working with the Interstellar and Insurgence Pom teams, supporting both new and returning athletes as they develop their skills and achieve their goals. Katie’s passion for dance and coaching drives her to help others grow, and she looks forward to an exciting year ahead.

I am excited to be coaching for a second year at Deakin Cheer and Dance! With five years of coaching experience and 20 years of dance training, I originally started in ballet, jazz, and tap before discovering my passion for cheer and dance when I joined the Deakin team in 2019. Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to compete at the UDA International World Championships in America, and I’m excited to bring my experience and enthusiasm to this team!

Ash has been part of Deakin Cheer & Dance since 2017, coaching since 2020. She enjoys seeing teams’ bond and individuals develop each year. Ash also manages a physiotherapy clinic and studies sport & exercise science at La Trobe. Trained at the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, she has performed at the VIC Dance Festival, Melbourne Fashion Week, and Australia’s Got Talent. Her favourite dance memories are competing with Deakin at the 2018 University World Championships and representing Australia at the 2024 ICU World Championships and Endurance Elite at the IASF Dance World Championships.