Welcome to Twisters Gymnastics Club
History
Twisters Gymnastics Club is a non-profit society incorporated in June 1977, due to the inspiration of its principal founder Liz Carter, who remained the club administrator for 25 years. The club worked out of school gymnasiums, initially running a recreational program and after 2 years formed a competitive girl’s team. A daytime program for pre-schoolers was started at a local community centre. The numbers grew to approximately 250 gymnasts with a number of boys showing an interest in competing.
In order to grow as a club, and meet the demand of the community, a building committee was formed and government funding sought, as well as various fund raising projects undertaken. After working out of school gyms for ten years, the club moved to its existing building. The gym was built with the aid of a BC Government grant, club fundraising, and an interest-free loan from the District of Matsqui. Parents volunteered many hours to assist with painting and digging the trenches. The facility is one of the best equipped in the province.
Philosophy
“To provide a high quality gymnastics program which enhances the participants’ mental and physical development and self-confidence.”
Twisters Gymnastics strives to inspire the “spirit of sport” in every athlete. Every athlete’s involvement in the sport is important to the Club.
Twisters Gymnastics encourages athletes who do display a high level of skill to enlarge upon this talent through our competitive program. However, the Club ensures that gymnastics is available to the maximum number of athletes in the area and not just those of a high skill level through our recreational program.
Sportsmanship, team spirit and co-operation are all vital to our athletes. We strive to reflect these qualities at Twisters Gymnastics.
Mission Statement
Twisters Gymnastics seeks to provide a high quality program that encourages every athlete to work to his or her potential at every level of development and ability ranging from recreational to elite.
All athletes are encouraged to develop their skills in balance, coordination, flexibility, and strength of body and mind in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages the enjoyment of physical activity, self-confidence, and excellence in sport.
The Twisters community is expected to model sportsmanship, team spirit, and cooperation in all aspects of participation and celebration of sport and competition.
Head Departments
Our head coaches and Directors
Club Director/MAG head coach
Richard Ikeda
Richard Ikeda is an accomplished men's artistic gymnasts and a respected leader in the gymnastics community. As Club Director and Men's Head Coach at Twisters Gymnastics Club, he brings decades of experience as both an elite athlete and high-performance coach.
A four-time Canadian National All-Around Champion and 1996 Olympian, Richard represented Canada on the international stage for more than a decade. Throughout his competitive career, he earned numerous national titles, competed at multiple World Championships, and won Commonwealth Games medals while helping establish Canada as a force in men's artistic gymnastics.
Following his success as an athlete, Richard transitioned into coaching, where he has continued to make a significant impact on the sport. As a Level 4 Certified Coach, he has guided athletes from the provincial level through to national and international competition, helping develop some of Canada's top gymnasts. His leadership has played an important role in Twisters' recognition as a National Training Centre for men's gymnastics and in the continued success of the club's competitive program.
Known for his dedication to athlete development, technical excellence, and passion for the sport, Richard is committed to helping each gymnast reach their full potential. His experience as both an Olympian and coach provides athletes with invaluable insight, mentorship, and inspiration as they pursue their own goals in gymnastics.
Recreational Director
RayAnne Quinn
RayAnne Quinn is the Recreational Director at Twisters Gymnastics Club, where she brings a lifelong passion for gymnastics and athlete development to the club's recreational programs. With a strong competitive gymnastics background, RayAnne understands firsthand the dedication, discipline, and confidence that the sport can inspire in young athletes.
In her role, RayAnne oversees recreational programming and works closely with coaches, athletes, and families to create a positive, engaging, and supportive environment for gymnasts of all ages and abilities. She is committed to helping every participant build fundamental movement skills, self-confidence, and a love for physical activity while fostering a fun and inclusive atmosphere.
Drawing from her competitive experience and years within the gymnastics community, RayAnne is dedicated to providing high-quality programs that encourage personal growth, skill development, and a lifelong appreciation for the sport. Her leadership helps ensure that every athlete who enters Twisters Gymnastics Club has the opportunity to learn, succeed, and reach their full potential.
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Wag Head coach
Julie Isfeld
Julie Isfeld is the women's head coach as well as the level 6 and up Coach at Twisters Gymnastics Club, bringing a blend of gymnastics coaching expertise and dance experience to her athletes. Her background in dance provides a strong foundation in artistry, performance, body awareness, and movement quality, which she integrates into her coaching approach to help athletes excel both technically and creatively.
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Xcel, Gymnaestrada, Interclub Head coach
Kara Kiers
Kara Kiers is the Xcel & Gymnaestrada Coordinator at Twisters Gymnastics Club, where she leads programs that focus on creativity, teamwork, and performance-based gymnastics.
A former Twisters athlete, Kara was in the Interclub program and developed a strong foundation in gymnastics through her own experience in the sport. She later became deeply involved in Gymnaestrada, where she developed a passion for group performance, choreography, and the artistic side of gymnastics. As well as attending World Gymnaestrada in Austria.
In her coaching role, Kara is dedicated to creating positive and inclusive environments where athletes can grow their confidence, build strong fundamental skills, and enjoy expressing themselves through movement. She places a strong emphasis on teamwork, performance quality, and athlete enjoyment, helping participants develop both as gymnasts and as individuals.
Through her leadership of the XCEL and Gymnaestrada programs, Kara continues to inspire athletes to explore the creative and performance aspects of gymnastics while fostering a lifelong love of physical activity and community within the sport.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Governed by the BC Society Act as a Non-Profit organization, Twisters Gymnastcis Club is reliant on and accountable to, it’s membership. This membership is open to all guardians of actively registered atheletes and/or atheletes over the age of 18, which is then lead by a volunteer Board of Directors. With the selfless and continuous commitment of this nominated and voted in group of Executives and Directors, Twisters Gymnastics Club provides the community with valuable programs both recreational and competitive to the youth of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.
Committed to our Mission Statement and Philosopy, the Board of Directors has worked towards providing one of the best gymnastics facilities in the province, turning out National and Olympic level athletes who represent Twisters Gymnastics Club with pride, integrity and excellence.
Twisters Gymnastics Club in Abbotsford, British Columbia, home to recreational and competitive gymnastics programs serving athletes throughout the Fraser Valley.
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