Meet The Coaching Team
Etham Yates
Owner & Head Coach
I began my career in fitness at 18 as a Personal Trainer before spending a decade in the military, serving as both a Royal Marine and a Royal Navy PTI Commando. During that time, I built a wealth of experience and earned multiple qualifications, including Strength & Conditioning Level 4, CrossFit Level 3, Olympic Weightlifting Level 2, Pre & Postnatal, and more.
What I enjoy most is seeing people grow in confidence and ability as their fitness levels improve. My coaching style is shaped by my military
background structured, disciplined, and focused on standards but always with the goal of getting the very best out of every individual. If you don’t give me effort, I’ll find a way to take it from you. Because sometimes a bit of command, response, and discipline is exactly what’s needed to push past limits and unlock your full potential
Adam Walker
Coach
Since 2016, I’ve been part of the CrossFit community, and have played an integral role as coaching staff. From completing my degree in Strength and Conditioning, attaining personal training and British Weightlifting qualifications and achieving my Level 1 CrossFit coach, I have continuously developed my knowledge and skills as high level coach.
I’ve been coaching at CrossFit 17 for coming on two years now and it’s the best CrossFit community and gym I’ve had the pleasure to be apart of. Aside from coaching, you’ll find me either studying for my Masters in Physiotherapy, doing my own training or drinking some form of caffeinated beverage.
Liv Purseglove
Coach
I first started out in CrossFit Kids here at 17 before moving into Olympic Weightlifting, where I’ve spent the past three years. In that time I’ve competed at several English and British Championships and represented England at the Home Nations Cup in 2024.
What I love most about lifting is the challenge, every lift teaches you something new, and I enjoy sharing that passion with others in the gym community. Now I'm coming back full circle to CrossFit, and I’m proud to be part of the community again, to coach and to train!
Gracious Van Den Berg-Slowey -
Coach
I have been doing Hyrox for 2 years now, and competed in several Hybrid racing, recently placing first in UK for my AG at DEKA and 4th in the world!
Interesting facts: Ex-GBR Judo Player and Royal Navy Veteran
Chris Hall
Coach
Started CrossFit in 2014 after discovering it after 6 months of boot camps where the instructor raved about it. Before CrossFit I played a lot of football and would turn my hand to any sport that involved a ball.
The gym was never a thing but look at me now! Took my Level 1 in 2016. Previously worked in a Secondary School PE Dept for 9 years so have coached a variety of sports and activities.
Always striving for people to enjoy moving and being healthy. CrossFit enables me to deliver the joys of health and fitness!
Mark Kennedy, Kenno to you
Coach
Qualifications - CrossFit Level 2 coach
Time doing CrossFit - 12 years training, 6 years coaching, always at 17.
A bit about me - My day job is Community Mental Health Practitioner for the NHS.
I'm not as grumpy as I might initially seem… as long as you're quiet and pay attention during whiteboard briefings!
Jay
Coach
Sports Science A-Level : Sports Science BTEC : Level 3 PT : Strength and Conditioning Diploma (FBU Learn).
With a personal background in Football, Athletics and latterly Functional Fitness, I've had over 30 years experience of working, coaching and competing in sport, health and fitness.
I've served as a Firefighter for 22 years, concurrently holding the roles of PTI for both the Station and the North of County, alongside my operational duties.
I've been a CrossFit athlete for 15 years and a CrossFit coach at CF17 for the last 10.
My biggest pleasure in coaching comes from helping people develop skills and determination they didn't know they had, and helping them to achieve goals they never knew they were capable of.
A passionate believer that fitness is not just about physical strength, speed and endurance - but it is also the most powerful tool we have to improve mental wellbeing, confidence, determination, discipline and social connection.
Whether supporting someone at the very start of their fitness journey, or working with a seasoned athlete, I bring knowledge, expertise, encouragement and a loud voice!
to help you push your limits and exceed your goals.
Harley
Coach
Coach Harley
Hi I’m Harley and I’ve been training at CrossFit 17 for 4 years. I started off just normally training a couple times a week and very quickly fell in love with it. Over the past 18 months I have started coaching. Firstly second coaching the teens next to Etham, and now slowly developing within all classes. I thrive to get the best out of people and always give them that extra push when needed. Training and coaching is what I love, so if I’m not coaching I will more than likely be repping out with the class or in between classes. See you on the dance floor!
Hannah
Coach
I started CrossFit in 2019 as a way to supplement my premiership rugby career, but it didn’t take long before CrossFit became my full-time focus. Since then, I’ve competed twice at the CrossFit Games Team Semi-Finals and taken part in elite individual competitions in Athens and Oslo.
I’ve been coaching for over six years and hold my CrossFit Level 1 and British Weightlifting Level 2 qualifications. I bring a strong technical eye to training—especially when it comes to movement quality and performance.
Outside of the gym, I’m an NHS doctor currently training to be an anaesthetist. I’m deeply passionate about exercise as medicine and the prevention of chronic disease. I hold a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine and am currently completing a diploma in Lifestyle Medicine, which heavily influences how I coach and support long-term health. My goal is to get more people into the gym and moving whilst also making it the most enjoyable hour of your day!