In partnership with Patinage Québec and Skate Ontario, Skate Canada is pleased to announce a new mentorship initiative to support synchronized skating coaches that are interested in expanding their technical and tactical skills set this season. Together, we will facilitate the mentee-mentor coach connections and technical development opportunities across Canada.
A total of nine mentor coaches have committed to support this initiative with the following goals and outcomes in mind:
- Provide mentee coaches with access to qualified and compatible mentor coaches.
- Establish and maintain professional mentee-mentor coach relationships.
- Support the development needs of mentee coaches with Novice and below teams.
- Encourage regular interaction and communication between mentee-mentor coaches.
- Obtain positive and constructive feedback for continued growth.
Although emphasis will be for coaches with Novice and below teams, this initiative is open to all and will include, but are not limited to:
- Technical coach lessons.
- Technical skill analysis, exercises and drills for various skills, exercises and drills to develop quality foundational skating skills, etc.
- Understanding and application of sport/technical rules.
- Program training and development.
- Synchronized skating club growth and succession planning.
- Age appropriate team building and skater engagement activities.
Process and guidelines
- If you are interested in participating or require more information, please contact Josée Bourdon, Senior Manager of High Performance Coaching at [email protected].
- This initiative will be in place from December 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021.
- The mentee coach and/or Synchronized Skating team will cover the mentor coach fees during the established period. Skate Canada recommends a price point of $60/hour of consultation. This rate is negotiable.
- Once assigned, the mentor coach will begin the communication process by emailing the mentee coach.
- After the initial introduction is established, the mentorship process will be driven by the mentee coach.
- Skate Canada will issue the necessary professional development (PD) points in the CAC Locker to both mentee and mentor coaches that are participating in this initiative.
- Mentee coaches are welcomed to request support from additional mentor coaches based on the areas of development they are interested in exploring.
- This initiative is to use virtual platforms that mentee-mentor coaches have access to and are comfortable using, such as email, phone, Zoom, Skype, Facebook, etc.
Mentor biographies
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP Provincial Coach (Level 2) Certified
- In 2008, I created the Magic Blades synchronized skating program in a great small town, Mt. Brydges just on the outskirts of London. In our first 6 seasons I grew the program by a team per year and have maintained 6 teams now for the last 6 years. Magic Blades currently has 6 teams and I currently coach all of them.
- Since its creation over the last 12 seasons we have competed at the Provincial level, medaling 11 times. Throughout the years of coaching I have been able to effectively utilize a small amount of ice time to create our success and train skaters to move on the elite international teams to represent our country.
- Synchronized skating is my passion and has given me many amazing gifts. I am committed and wish to continue to grow this amazing sport for everyone to enjoy.
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP National Coach (Level 3) Certified
- NEXXICE Senior Synchro Skating Team member from 2000-2012
- Co-captain position on the team during those years and member of the 2009 World Championship Synchronized Skating team.
- Enjoys skill development at all levels and have also choreographed programs for the Beginner, Pre-Juvenile, Elementary, Juvenile, Pre-Novice, Novice, Intermediate and Open levels.
- Competition event planning, team building, and yearly planning are key components Jennifer enjoys doing with her teams each season.
- Co-coaching NEXXICE Novice and working with NEXXICE Intermediate and NEXXICE Senior.
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP National Coach (Level 3) Certified
- Actively involved in the Canadian Synchronized Skating Community for the past 30 years and has coached synchro from Beginner to the Senior level.
- 10 Canadian Championships at the Novice and Junior level, including the Junior World title in 2002.
- As the Synchro Director, I am actively building a Synchronized Skating Program at Skate Oakville.
- Oversees administrative, communications, and other duties, while following the directives and mandates of the club’s stakeholders.
- Jennifer mentors and works collaboratively with many coaches, parents, and skaters.
- Jennifer is passionate about providing tools to build a synchro program and to provide opportunities for all skaters wishing to participate.
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP National Coach (Level 3) Certified
- French and English coaching
- 30+ years’ experience in synchro skating coaching (all levels)
- Head coach for Nova senior since 2016 (2019 national champions)
- Previously head coach for Nova open (National champions 2011 to 2016)
- Goal setting/planning/collaboration/motivation
- Skating skills drills/technique
- Musicality/music editing
- Choreography and program building strategies
- Application of synchro technical rules/synchro specific techniques
- Program training methods
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP Level 5 Certified Coach
- French and English coaching
- 2003 Worlds Bronze medalist as athlete with Les Suprêmes Senior
- Head coach, Les Suprêmes Junior (2016 World champions) and Les Suprêmes Senior (2020 National champions) as well as choreographer/coach for Cirque du soleil.
- Synchro Designer for Cirque du soleil show Crystal
- Choreograph for International level teams (Australia, Japan, France, Germany, USA,)
- Planning and periodization to lead teams to peak performances (on and off ice)
- How to develop a good support team of specialists (on and off ice)
- Choreography, strategy to build a balanced program to highlight a team’s strength
- Develop effective skating skills exercise drills and 101 synchro elements to optimize training periods
- Musicality and interpretation, develop exercises to improve the artistic performance
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP National Coach (Level 3) Certified
- 24 years of coaching experience
- Since retiring in 2015, she has continued to work with teams and assist coaches/clubs in building their programs.
- Enjoys working with coaches to build a strong structure both on and off the ice.
- Her passion for the sport of synchronized skating runs deep and she loves to encourage and promote the SYS program.
- English language live-streaming commentator for the last three Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships (2017-present).
- As a skater, she has earned seven Canadian Synchronized Skating Championship Medals at the Novice, Junior and Senior levels. She has also competed internationally.
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP National Coach (Level 3) Certified
- 7x World Medallist including 1997 World Challenge Cup Champion – black ice
- 8x National Champion – black ice
- 2018 National Champion – Meraki (Int)
- 2019 National Bronze – Meraki (Int)
- I place a strong emphasis on basic skating skills and speed. I love sharing my passion for skating with skaters and coaches.
- Favorite Quote “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you” ~ Arnold Palmer
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP National Coach (Level 3) Certified
- French and English coaching
- International and World level ice dance competitor for over 10 years
- World level Ice dance and Synchronized skating coach
- Choreographer and technical coach for ice dance couple and synchronized skating teams in development in Europe (Croatia) and Asia (China).
- Coach for the 2016 World Champions team and for many world champions in Ice dance
- Specializes in skating skills and development exercises
Experience and Strengths:
- NCCP Provincial Coach (Level 2) Certified
- Head coach, Team Unity synchronized skating teams in Tavistock, ON.
- Tara skated for Burlington Ice Image from 1989-2000
- With Burlington Ice Image, Tara earned her first Novice National Canadian title, Junior National Canadian title, and competed Internationally with both the Junior and Senior teams.
- Tara represented Canada at two World Challenge Cups and the first ever ISU Senior World Synchronized Skating Championship in 2000.
- Tara skated with Burlington Ice Image Adult in 2004 and for Nexxice Adult in 2006
- Over the past 10 seasons, Team Unity has grown from its first Team in the Adult II category, to a total of 8 teams covering Beginner, Pre Juvie, Pre Novice, Intermediate, Adult I, II and III.