Our Team at
Crossfit Skirmish
CrossFit Skirmish coaches are pretty special, with credentials which include CrossFit plus a range of other qualifications and experience. These include: sports science degrees, British weightlifting qualifications and other types of sports coaching (Judo, Rugby and Specialist Kids training). Our trainers are skilled at programming and scale all workouts to your current skill level to ensure that safe technique is not compromised. In addition to general class coaching, you can also book 121 sessions with any of them to perfect technique or indeed provide you with accelerated programming and personal training.
Alexander Voronov
Alexander, Sasha for short, is our Head Trainer and a Russian power house. Sasha’s first passion was Judo, where he was both an excellent coach and Scottish Champion, representing both Scotland & the UK at International level. He then moved into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), becoming a British Medalist in MMA and a Semi Professional Fighter. However, on a visit to Canada in 1999, Sasha discovered CrossFit. He describes himself as ‘bambi on ice’ after trying FRAN which broke him! He was shocked to discover that CrossFit was tougher than any training regime he had tried before but also far more rewarding. He was an overnight convert and has been working hard to open CrossFit Skirmish ever since. In addition to CrossFit Certifications, Sasha is a qualified Judo and British Weight Lifting Coach. He has his own successful Fitness & Supplement Shop Battlebox.co.uk, CrossFit Skirmish’s online shop and has also worked with Dimitri Klokov, the CrossFit and lifting legend, completing Dimitri’s ‘Winner’ Seminar course.
Olivia ‘Liv’ Hand
Liv joined the CrossFit Skirmish coaching team in early 2023 after falling in love with CrossFit in 2020 and passing her CrossFit Level 1 training certification. Born and bred in Edinburgh, Liv played almost every sport as a child before finding where her true passion and talents lay, in karate. Starting karate in 2003 Liv became a competitive athlete very quickly. At just 14, Liv was selected for the Scotland National Team and won various European and World Championship titles. Then, after graduating university she realised that she was ready to retire from the dojo for good but needed a new challenge worthy of her skills and discovered CrossFit!! Liv then joined the Police Service of Scotland in 2021 and serves as a Grade 1 Response Officer in Edinburgh alongside her coaching duties at CrossFit Skirmish. She continues to drive to be the best athlete possible. She’s a busy lady, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ross Watters
Ross was born in the Scottish Borders, his passion growing up was playing football. Indeed, he played for Berwick Rangers aged 16 before joining Edinburgh University in the semi-professional league in 2019. During this time he also obtained a degree in Applied Sports Science. After graduation, he decided to move on from football to start a new chapter in his life. He spent the majority of lockdown learning and understanding Olympic Weightlifting and began to focus his attention on personal training as a potential career and qualified as a L3 personal trainer. During this time he also did some research into different fitness training methods and decided to complete the CrossFit level 1 trainer course too, despite never setting foot in a CrossFit box before. It was during this course that Ross had his ‘road to Damascus’ moment. He fell in love with the community and developed a passion for the competitive side of the sport too. Ross, joined CrossFit Skirmish the week after qualifying and was hooked from the first day. Ross’s talent and passion was clear from day one – we were proud of his progress and supported his development. So much so that exactly one year after joining as a member we invited him to join our coaching team. Ross is an attentive and supportive coach as well as an impressive athlete. We are delighted that in addition to coaching he is pursuing a career in competing as a professional CrossFit athlete too.