Skaters on the STAR or CompetitiveSkate sessions are required to have a coach that oversees their skating. It is not mandatory that they work with a coach on each session. Coaching fees are paid by the parent directly to the coach, and are not included in your registration fees. A private lesson is a one-on-one lesson with coach and skater, and a group or semi-private lesson is 2 or more skaters with a coach during their lesson, where the coaching fee will be divided by the number of skaters in the group. When looking for a coach, you can get information directly from the potential coaches, from our club’s website, or directly from the club’s office. If you would like additional guidance in finding a coach please feel free to contact our STARSkate Technical Director to assist you with the process. View our current roster of club coaches on our Coaches page.

Coaches

It is a good idea to discuss a coaching budget with your coach. It is up to the parent to make arrangements with the coach for lessons (i.e. type and amount/week) and to discuss fees for lessons (the coach(s) of your choosing will have a fee schedule for you). Parents will also be responsible to pay the coach(es) for time involved in creating their skater’s music, and for coaching at tests or competitions. These fees can be paid directly to the coach who will bill you. Your coach should provide you with a welcome letter to inform you of their own policies, fees, expectations, as well as their contact information.

Invoicing

Each coach is responsible for invoicing their skaters for the lessons which they receive, at which point you are then responsible for paying the coach directly. Payments are expected to be made to the coach within 7 days of receiving the invoice. Certain coaches may apply late fees should you not pay on time.

Lesson Time

It is up to the coach how the divide their lesson time. Lesson time is not necessarily divided evenly amongst all skaters. Each coach has the right to schedule their lessons based on the level, needs and situation of a skater. For Example: On a silver session, a Star 5 Skater preparing for Provincials may get more lesson asthe competition approaches then another skater on their session. Parents and skaters must respect the coach’s decisions when it comes to this.

Testing

It is up to the coach if a skater is ready to try a test or not. It is each coach’s responsibility to look out for the best interest of their skaters skating. As professionals they know when a skater is or is not ready to try a test.

Levels

The coach reserves all rights to determine which at which level a skater competes. The coaches are familiar with the requirements and standards for each session so they know where each skater belongs.

Team Coaching

Team coaching is becoming more and more popular, it allows each coach the opportunity to take on more students and ensure that everyone receives the lesson time they need. In team coaching, each skater will have their main coach which oversees everything, as well as work with other coaches who their coach has
selected to help with their skaters. If you feel a certain member of a team is not best suited for your child please discuss in private with your child’s main coach.

Receiving Lessons from other Coaches

Skaters and parents are not permitted to ask coaches in which their coach does not team coach with for additional lesson. If a skater would like a lesson with another coach they are to ask their coach and see if they could arrange it.

Talking to your Coach

We encourage you to communicate with your coach frequently to make sure that everyone is on the same page. However, these discussions are to take place during a designated times arranged between you and the coach. Stopping a coach during a session or as they are getting on the ice takes lesson time away from skaters.

Changing Coaches

It is not unusual for a skater to change coaches during his/her career. Skaters often seek specialized attention from different coaches at different times to help them meet their skating goals. When and if, the decision to change coaches has been made, certain common sense and ethical procedures should be
followed:
• Notify your current coach of your decision privately;
• Pay any outstanding account balances;
• Seek a new coach, although informal and discreet inquiries in this area may start earlier;
• Be discreet and courteous throughout.