Our Team
Tots & Tumblers is fortunate to have some of the best coaching talent in Trinidad & Tobago. Our dedicated staff love their jobs immensely and the kids love that they make gym time fun, safe and exciting.
Annette Telfer - Owner and President
Annette became involved in gymnastics when her daughter Michelle joined the Joan Knowles Gymnastic Club at the age of four. She was invited to run the recreational programme at the Joan Knowles Gymnastic Club, which she did for many years. Annette also headed the boys and girls gymnastic programmes at St. Andrew’s School where she saw the interest for the sport grow tremendously over the 18 years that she spent there. Acknowledging that the sport needed a permanent facility, Annette formed the Tots & Tumblers Gymnastic Club in 1999; this proved to be a “turning point” for gymnastics in Trinidad. Annette has seen gymnastics grow from a recreational sport to a highly competitive one, where a Women’s National Team has taken part in the CAC Games, Commonwealth Games (2002) and Pan American Interclub Championships. Indeed we can boast of two International Medals won by Tots & Tumblers Gymnasts, Ananda Fraser and Thema Williams, at the Pan American Interclub Championships in Florida (2003) and Mexico (2005) respectively.
Michelle Frankland
A graduate of the University of Southampton in the UK where she studied French and Spanish, Michelle returned to Trinidad in 2003 after living and working in England and Europe for nearly a decade. After the birth of her second son in 2008, Michelle left the corporate world and joined her Mum, Annette in Tots & Tumblers. Post-Covid, Michelle has become more involved in the day-to-day running of the club and actively coaches all levels of athletes. Michelle shares Annette's passion for the sport and is committed to creating opportunities for the benefit of our athletes and coaches. Michelle is the current Women's Artistic Gymnastics Chairperson of the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation and the Vice President of the Caribbean Gymnastics League.
Michelle is a certified FIG Level 1 and 2 coach and holds an FIG Introductory Judging Certification.
Michelle is a certified FIG Level 1 and 2 coach and holds an FIG Introductory Judging Certification.
Clifton McDowell - Head Coach - Competitive Programme
Clifton has been involved in gymnastics since his school days when he thrilled audiences with tumbling skills as part of the Gym Knights performance troupe. Clifton started coaching with Joan Knowles Gymnastic Club and has grown into one of the most respected and knowledgeable coaches in Trinidad and Tobago. He has served as National Coach on many different occasions, accompanying our gymnasts to World Championships, CAC Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, Pan American Inter-club Championships and countless regional USAG competitions. Clifton’s achievements in this sport are phenomenal and he continues to set his sights on developing gymnasts capable of representing Trinidad & Tobago at an elite, international level, whilst appreciating that each gymnast has their own goals and aspirations. Clifton has a tremendous appreciation for the sport of gymnastics and its role in creating focused, well-rounded young women. The secret to his success can be attributed to his passion for the sport and his versatility as coach. He teaches all our gymnasts - from our toddlers to our Optional-Level Competitors with equal skill and engagement.
Irwin Yan Hip
Irwin is FIG Level 1 certified and is one of our senior coaches. Irwin works with both our recreational and competitive gymnasts and enjoys travelling with our teams when attending meets and training overseas. Irwin is especially wonderful with our little ones and joyful laughter can often be heard coming from his corner of the gym! His specialty is vault and he takes great pride in producing wonderful “vaulters”.
Michelle St. Louis
Michelle is FIG Level 1 certified and has been involved in gymnastics since the 1980s when she began coaching at the Jean Pierre Complex with Joan Knowles. Quiet and un-assuming, Michelle is a central part of our team and can be relied on to have a happy smile and gentle demeanour. Much-loved by everybody, Mich is a joy to have around.
Sarah Ramdwar
FIG Level 1 certified and an ex-Tots & Tumblers' gymnast. Sarah brings calm and focus to all her classes. Sarah has a great eye for spotting upcoming talent and for getting the best out of each of the gymnasts in her care. Her encouraging but no-nonsense approach to coaching results in great gymnastics and happy campers!