Coaches

Coaches Overview

Our coaching team is a key part of our PSC. They are the people who directly pass on the knowledge, and build the skills of our skaters. Skating requires technical skills (whether spinning, jumping, or doing fancy footwork), mental preparation (particularly for competitions and tests), physical training (stamina, strength, flexibility), and musicality (to give physical expression to music). Our coaches guide our skaters in all of these aspects of the sport. All Skate Canada coaches are also certified in First Aid. The coaching team shapes the nature of the club, and the atmosphere on the ice. We’re fortunate to have a great coaching team in the Petawawa Skating Club, with a good mix of experienced, and new coaches – all of them dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented.

At the beginning levels (CanSkate and CanPowerSkate), instruction is usually through group lessons, although private or semi-private lessons can be arranged. In the Intermediate level and above, in addition to the group lessons, skaters usually choose to supplement their learning with semi-private or private lessons. Arrangements are strictly between the parents requesting the additional lessons and their chosen coach. The information below will help you in this decision. The rates for private lessons vary from about $7.50 to $10.00 per 15 minute session, depending on the experience and certification of the coach. Rates for semi-private lessons are negotiable depending on the number in the group and the level of ability. Some of our coaches will also edit music, and choreograph skating programs. Please check with your coach for their rates. You can also talk to other parents to help in deciding which coach is bested suited for your child.

At the start of the skating season, and periodically during the year, the skater and parent should discuss their goals with the coach.

Coaches Profiles

	Kathy Buckley [(613) 584-3943; klbuck@magma.ca] started coaching as an amateur coach in Deep River as a teen, and has been coaching for over 25 years. She coached in New Glascow, Nova Scotia before returning to coach for the Pembroke, Petawawa and Deep River Skating Clubs. Her two children went through the skating program, and her son Jon was in the competitive program, reaching the Divisional level. Kathy has taught all levels - KidSkate, CanSkate, CanFigure, Intermediate, Seniors and Adults. She is a Level 2 NCCP qualified coach. She loves to see younger skaters move up through the levels and enjoys sharing the challenge with them to improve their skating abilities.
	Maureen Mills-Sauve [(613) 838-4036; mmillssauve@sympatico.ca]. Maureen says that it is a pleasure, and honour to be coaching in Petawawa this year. She is married to Michel Sauve. She loves traveling, coaching and learning. She is a rehabilitation professional specializing in prevention, treatment of injuries, as well as working with the geriatric population. Her education includes Coaching Diploma from Seneca College of A.A.T., and B.A. and BSc degrees from the University of Ottawa. She is working on her level 4 NCCP tasks. Through Skate Canada, she has achieved a gold level CEP status. She has competed in Arm Forces Competitions across Canada and at the Sectional level. Her skating coaching includes Clubs in the Ottawa Valley, Ottawa and area, and the GTA, at Club and Sectional level. She also coaches and volunteers for the Special Olympics. She has coached power skating at the younger levels, and with teams and individuals at Junior A, Senior A, international and semi-professional levels. Presently, she is available to coach at all levels, and will be skating on the adult synchro team this year.
	Stephanie Wallace [(613) 735-5266; grwallace@cogeco.ca] is the head coach, and has coached at the Petawawa Skating Club for 24 years. She has coached all levels, from tots to adults, test skaters as well as competitive skaters to the level of the Canadian Championships. She has also coached synchronized skating, run off-season schools, organized seminars, and has choreographed skating shows. Stephanie is a Level 3 NCCP certified coach, and is working on the remaining four tasks for Level 4. In addition, she is a Region 6 Level 1 mentor coach. She also is certified to teach CanPowerSkate. Before coaching, Stephanie competed at the Sectional/Divisional level in Junior Pairs and Singles. Her personal test achievements include her Gold Figure, Freeskate, Dance and Skills, Gold Competitive Skills, h er Junior Competitive Dance, Pairs and Singles, her Silver Interpretive Dance and her Bronze Artistic Couples test. Stephanie attended Mohawk College, completed Hospitality Management at Algonquin College, and has completed night courses in business.
	Vada Lepage [(613)584-9669; vada.lepage@sympatico.ca] started skating at the age of 10 in Barry's Bay and continues to skate for herself today on an Adult Synchro Team. In her teens Vada became an amateur Coach and coached in Barry's Bay for 5 years before becoming a professional Coach in 1991 and has been coaching ever since. As a professional coach she has taught skaters in the Barry’s Bay, Millbrook, Eganville and Deep River Skating Clubs. Vada is a Level 1 Certified Coach and has taught skaters in Kidskate, CanSkate, Intermediate, Senior, and Adult level programs and also assisted in coaching a synchro team. She enjoys choreographing and arranging music to suit a skater's personality and ability. Vada’s goal is to provide a positive and fun learning experience and to share her love and passion of figure skating to children and/or adults. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of skating, she enjoys watching the children grow into independent, self-confident individuals while learning good sportsmanship and positive attitude. You could say her motto is "Dream Big, Dare to Fail, Skate", which she encourages by always wearing a smile herself. Vada is a mother of 3 children and enjoys sharing her love of figure skating with them. She is looking forward to a great year with the Petawawa Skating Club!