Selecting a Private Coach
A Parent's Guide to Skating
The coaching of skating is done on a professional basis in Canada, and most other countries. Coaches make their services available for a fee. The coach is then available for hire to your son/daughter. All coaches in a SkateCanada club are required to complete a minimum of CanSkate Certification in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). NCCP courses provide coaches with training in a wide variety of areas.
Some coaches specialize in teaching beginners. Other coaches, who are gaining experience, only make a start with beginners. Beyond the area of beginners, some coaches teach disciplines at all levels (skills, freeskate, dance, pairs, synchronized skating or power skating), while others specialize in any one or combination of levels.
When looking to hire a coach, ask about their NCCP qualifications as well as their own personal test and competitive record. The coach may also be able to tell you the names and accomplishments of some of their top pupils. This information can be helpful as it shows how long they have been coaching and can indicate coaching ability. Even if the coach was not a high-test skater, their record may demonstrate an ability to teach at a higher level.
The coach you select should be the one your child feels most comfortable with, and the one you respect as a teacher. A coach should treat your child with respect and be interested in your child's development, both as a person and skater. Regular meetings with the coach are important as they can highlight other commitments, financial constraints or concerns/questions about your child's development.
Spring Coaches:
**Clicking on a coaches' name will take you to their biography.
Some coaches specialize in teaching beginners. Other coaches, who are gaining experience, only make a start with beginners. Beyond the area of beginners, some coaches teach disciplines at all levels (skills, freeskate, dance, pairs, synchronized skating or power skating), while others specialize in any one or combination of levels.
When looking to hire a coach, ask about their NCCP qualifications as well as their own personal test and competitive record. The coach may also be able to tell you the names and accomplishments of some of their top pupils. This information can be helpful as it shows how long they have been coaching and can indicate coaching ability. Even if the coach was not a high-test skater, their record may demonstrate an ability to teach at a higher level.
The coach you select should be the one your child feels most comfortable with, and the one you respect as a teacher. A coach should treat your child with respect and be interested in your child's development, both as a person and skater. Regular meetings with the coach are important as they can highlight other commitments, financial constraints or concerns/questions about your child's development.
Spring Coaches:
**Clicking on a coaches' name will take you to their biography.
| Coach | Monday | Thurs. |
| Cathy Alguire | YES | YES |
| Mr. Don Cumming | NO | YES |
| Kelly Farmer | YES | NO |
| Erin Lee | YES | YES |
| Mary Lou Marchant | YES | YES |
| Mr. Kelly Marshall | YES | YES |
| Charlotte McLean | FULL | NO |
| Darlene Mitro | YES | YES |
| Carole Robinson | YES | YES |
| Shari Spada | YES | YES |
| Valerie Thrower | YES | NO |
| Marcy Walker | NO | YES |
