To celebrate “Gymnastics Awareness Week,” the Fort Frances Visserettes & Boys are offering everyone the chance to attend one free gymnastics class to try out the sport and meet the coaches.
Call 274-2966 to let us know your child will be coming and to set a time.
A free T-shirt will be given to any child signing up for the semester.
Gymnastics Ontario has declared Feb. 12-19 as Gymnastics Awareness Week in the province. All clubs are hosting special events and providing new releases to make people more aware of the wonderful opportunities gymnastics provides for all ages.
The Fort Frances Visserettes & Boys Gymnastics Club, a not-for-profit organization run strictly by volunteers, has about 150 regular members and operates out of the Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy (835 McKenzie Ave. N.)
Rob Morgan is the president, with Marilyn Stinson as vice-president. Cheryl Watts has been treasurer for several years but would like to step down.
The club presently is seeking a replacement for Watts.
The club was founded by the late Lourens Visser and Larry Fontana in the early 1960s. Now, nearly 40 years later, it offers artistic programs from kindergym to adult levels.
Some of these programs are for recreational purposes only while others are for the more competitive spirits.
The club hires some 20 NCCP qualified coaches to run the programs, who are trained to offer safe and healthy gymnastic activities.
To encourage parents to enrol their child in gymnastics, the club offers special financial plans. We want every child who desires to do gymnastics to have the opportunity.
This year, the club hired a new head coach, Mike Lang, from Thunder Bay. Joleen Debenitti has been our choreographer and competitive coach for several years.
The two make an excellent team, as evidenced by the Red Lake meet earlier this month. All the girls placed very high and Chelsea Green was the highest scorer in the region.
The girls are now preparing for the next two big meets. Thunder Bay is hosting one March 4-5, then the local club will be holding the annual Springfest meet here April 1-2.
Programs at the gym club run Monday to Wednesday from 4-8:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors are invited to step in and watch the action at any time.
The club recently nominated Bingo co-ordinator Chane Rissman for the Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Year award (not-for-profit sector). He has been very dedicated to organizing the Bingos and finding bona fide members to work it.
The Bingos pay the bills and keep the club alive.
Although Chane did not receive the award, he is number-one to us. He has no children in gymnastics but still dedicates hours of volunteer time to the club.
Thanks Chane.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
