Coach Profiles

Stephanie Mann:
Stephanie is coaching all levels of athletes for us this year and is a Director with the Board of Directors with RLGA as well. Stephanie has many years of gymnastics experience as she participated in the sport for approximately 18 years. Stephanie coached as Coach in Training in her younger years and then progressed to Coach higher levels. She is trained as a Level 1 and Level 2 Women’s Artistic Coach, along with Level 1 and Level 2 Theory and Level 1 Trampoline.

Stephanie was born in New Brunswick, however, resided most of her life in Fort Frances. She attended Post Secondary education in Ottawa, ON and returned to Fort Frances to start a family. Stephanie and her husband Jason, have 3 children, ages 4, 14, and 15.

Stephanie is looking forward to seeing gymnastics become a part of the community again. She believes in the structure and discipline that the sport of gymnastics provides to help young athletes garner belief in the themselves and their abilities to never give up and shoot for the stars!

Ray Abbott:
I started coaching gymnastics, after Joan Miller approached me when my daughter started Gym in about 1979. I continued for 15 years with many fun happy memories. Because I believe in the great sport, I have offered my help where I can, to bring gymnastics back to our town.

Not having a gymnastics background, I pretty much learned “hands-on” from Joan, until I completed Level 1 and Level II NCCP Certification.

I traveled with our gymnasts to meet in Thunder Bay, Terrace Bay, Dryden, Kenora, and Red Lake, as well as Niagara Falls and Thorold for Championships.

I had a good rapport with many coaches and gymnasts and made many new and lasting friends. Traveling to meets could be an adventure. Besides having a van full of “giggling loud girls”, we brought bear boards, sometimes mats, and once the full set of bars. At a meet in Fort Frances, the gymnasts vaulted with the storage room doors open so as not to hit a wall.

I was known to hide a loonie in the gym, so a lucky person could find it when we took the equipment down.

I think most of my gymnasts remember me, as I do them. Several have become coaches, or definitely supporters with the gymnasts of their own. I had my Grandchildren all in gymnastics at some point and one continues in an elite program, doing very well.

Receiving a 3M coaching award was very rewarding. Nice to be recognized.

After coaching and being on the Regional Board for several years, I decided it was time for me to retire. It was a good “ride”.

Christina Dowty:
My name is Christina Dowty. Previously I was a gymnast as a toddler (4-6) and then from age 9-18.

I coached at the Fort Frances Club back in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

My interests are horseback riding, hunting, fishing, spending time at our cabin on Rainy lake, going for walks, and pretty much anything outdoors. I also spend a lot of my time with my family, husband Derek and our three daughters (Brooklyne, Kayla and Avery) and our two Golden Retrievers (Maddie and Sadie).

I work at Gillons Insurance Brokers and am a Registered Insurance Broker in Ontario and Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of Gillons.

Growing up I was involved in a lot of activities; Ukrainian Dancing, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Gymnastics, and Cheerleading. My love of gymnastics, dance and music holds a special place in my heart and I am looking forward to getting back into the gym and sharing my love of gymnastics with the kids.

Lisa McPherson:
My Name is Lisa McPherson and I am 41 years old. I grew up in Devlin, ON, but have spent the majority of years in Fort Frances. I started gymnastics at the age of 4 and spent the next 7 years doing recreational and competitive.

When my gymnastics days came to an end, I decided it was time to start coaching. I coached off and on through my teenage years until about the age of twenty.

Although gymnastics was my life back then, I also participated and competed in many other sports as well. Some of my hobbies and interests include singing, camping, gardening, coaching, house painting and decorating. I`ve also been blessed over the past twenty years to be able to watch my beautiful children compete in their many sports as well.

As a former gymnast and coach for the Fort Frances Visserettes, I cannot express how excited I am to see our new club up and running. I would like to thank everyone for all their help and support in order to make this possible. Looking forward to seeing you all this Fall!

Emily Reimer:
My name is Emily Reimer and I grew up in Dryden, ON. I did gymnastics competitively for about 10 years and coached for 5 years.

I moved to Steinbach, MB for 5 years and then moved to Fort Frances this past year.

I have a husband and son, both of whom I love dearly!

I love the outdoors, and enjoy cooking & baking.

I am excited to get back into the gymnastics world!

Steph Wrolstad:
My name is Stephanie Wrolstad and I am thrilled to be part of the coaching staff for this season. I know it is going to be a fun and challenging season for our young gymnasts.

I started my gymnastics career in 1981 with the Fort Frances Visserettes Gymnastics Club at the age of 5 years old. In 1984, I was selected to join the competitive team and spent many hours training and competing. I loved being at the gym, there was no better place to be. Our team was our family, and through the years we still are. I have made great lifelong friendships through this sport and even though our competing days are over, we still keep in touch and love to talk about the good old days.

I was so lucky to have great coaches my whole life. My very first coach was Joan Miller. She was an amazing lady with a heart of gold. She was the reason I fell in love with the sport. When I moved to the competitive team I was coached by Ray Abbott. Ray was so much more than a coach, he was and is family. He taught us to respect the sport, to work hard and be determined to reach our goals, He is a true leader and great mentor. I am so excited to be back in the gym with him this season.

I started coaching at the age of 13 and was Level 2 certified by the time I was 15 years old. I love coaching and inspiring young athletes to chase their dreams. I want your athlete to have a great experience. I want them to have fun, work hard, and learn new skills. I also want to teach them to challenge themselves, to practice hard and to love coming to the gym.

Looking forward to a great season!