Choosing a Coach

StarSkaters need a professional coach to oversee their development, testing, and to guide them through participating in local competitions.

The Role of the Coach

The role of the coach is to give your skater the one-on-one attention that is necessary to teach specific disciplines of the sport. All Silver Blades coaches are certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) of the Coaching Association of Canada, however their personal achievements and teaching experience vary, and not all coaches teach all the disciplines of figure skating.

To see our whole staff of Coaches, please visit our Silverblades Coaches page!

Silver Blades annually elects a volunteer Board of Directors who are responsible for the governance of the club. Members wishing to have access to the minutes from the 2024 Annual General meeting, please email us at board@silverblades.ca.

Governance Structure

Constitution & Bylaws

CONSTITUTION OF THE

Silver Blades Skating Club Incorporated

No. 0056157 (March 11, 1948)

Skate Canada Club No. 1000466

SBSC BY-LAWS: Revised September 20, 2024 based on proposals, amendments and repeals to the bylaws of Silver Blades Skating Club voted at the 2024 Annual General Meeting in Accordance with By‑Law 8. Voting Members approved the amendments on September 25,2024

Membership Definition & Entitlement

SBSC should encourage all skaters in their development in the sport of skating. The club also recognizes that being a skater at our club comes with certain requirements and entitlements. Click here for the membership definition and entitlements. Definition of a Member & Entitlements

Skaters

Silver Blades Skater Code of Conduct

The Silver Blades Skating Club is committed to providing members with the opportunity to develop and pursue their goals in a safe and encouraging environment. Coaches and parents/guardians play a special role in the development of skaters’ enjoyment of this sport and as such should model positive and responsible behaviour at all times while participating in any SBSC session including private lessons, events or competitions.

Coaches that witness any unsafe skater behavior are expected to approach the skater(s) to provide corrective feedback.

Etiquette is simply defined as the respectful and considerate behaviour expected by all parties while participating in club activities. It is also meant to ensure all parties feel safe and comfortable. The following recommendations help identify what is expected of our coaches, skaters and parents as members of the SBSC when interacting with each other, as well as volunteers, facility staff and the arena facilities at all times, while on the ice.

Skater’s “Right of Way”

It is important that all skaters (in a program, a lesson or practicing) remember that they must always be looking around them while they are skating. Everyone plays a role to maintain safety while on the ice. There is no exception to this rule.

1. The following order determines the right of way during scheduled sessions:
   1. A skater whose music is being played and is skating to a program.
   2. A skater who is receiving a lesson. If the harness is in use, be aware and avoid that area.
   3. Skaters who are practicing on their own. As many skaters are moving on the ice at the same time, all skaters should be mindful to those jumping and spinning and be aware of their surroundings.
      It is every skater’s responsibility for watching where they are going, no exceptions. Note: Experienced and older skaters should be mindful of less experienced or younger skaters and set an example as to when and how to yield to other skaters. Remember that all skaters were beginners once.
2. Skaters are reminded to be aware of fellow skaters that may be moving in the opposite direction or performing jumps.
3. When practicing programs, skaters must learn to move around other skaters to complete their program and remain respectful and polite. When a skater is practicing his/her program, he/she is reminded to be polite when addressing another skater or coach that may be in his/her way. Phrases such as, “Move” or “Get out of my way” are not considered acceptable language. Phrases used politely such as, “excuse me please” or “heads up” or “coming through” or “program” are considered acceptable.
4. All skaters must get up quickly after falling, unless injured, to not endanger other skaters or themselves on the ice.
5. Skaters will move to the boards if a break is required. Skaters must not stand in the middle of the ice.
6. Skaters shall make every attempt to maintain a safe distance from all other skaters. The corners/ends of the ice surface are considered to be the “jump” zones. There is to be no spinning in those areas, except skaters performing their programs.
7. All spins are to be done between the two blue lines. Be mindful of skaters in spins as they can’t see other skaters coming.
8. For skaters skating down on a session, you must be mindful of the level of the session and may need to adjust your practice accordingly to skate to the level of the session.

On-ice Equipment & Personal Belongings

1. No food, drinks, gum or candy are allowed on the ice surface. Materials required for skating such as cd’s, water bottles, tissue boxes and notebooks may be left at the boards.
2. Cell phones are allowed on the ice for training purposes only. Skaters will be allowed to film their own jumps, spins and elements. Skaters must be mindful of other skaters and coaches at all times and film in a respectful manner. No videotaping is allowed in the middle of the ice surface during sessions. Coaches will be monitoring skaters for abuse of this privilege.
3. Valuables should be brought to the boards.
4. Wearing of headsets/earphones on the ice is prohibited at all times.
5. Skaters must wait until the Zamboni doors have closed before going onto the ice. A Skate Canada certified coach must be at the boards before any skater may step onto the ice.
6. The Harness must only be used during a lesson with a qualified SBSC coach.

General Guidelines

1. Courtesy and good sportsmanship to coaches and fellow skaters is expected at all times.
2. Skaters are expected to wear appropriate skating attire while on the ice (skating dresses, skirts, leggings, warm-up jackets, etc.). Clothing with profanity or inappropriate visual elements are not acceptable and a skater may be asked to change. Long hair should be tied back with an elastic or cloth headband.
3. Skaters should not interrupt a coach while a lesson is in progress.
4. Refrain from standing around and socializing on the ice.
5. When your session is over, gather your belongings and clear the ice immediately.
6. Be respectful to arena staff and property at all times.
7. Skaters should use the dressing room at all times. Skaters should avoid using the lobby for changing skates or storage of items during sessions. The SBSC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please leave valuables at home.
8. Skaters will not use technology or social media to disrespect or exploit others.
9. Skaters are not allowed to record another skater or any Coach without permission.

And remember…inappropriate behaviour (both on or off the ice) such as the use of foul language towards any individual within the SBSC (skater, coach, board member, parent/guardian, arena staff) will not be tolerated and disciplinary action may be warranted.

Disciplinary Action

The SBSC Board will only commence an investigation when a written letter of complaint is forwarded to the Board. If it is determined an infraction/breech of code of conduct has occurred, the following disciplinary actions will be taken:

1st Offence: Verbal warning by the Skater’s Coach or the SBSC Board of Directors. The Skater’s Parent/Guardian will be informed of the warning if the Skater is under the Age of Majority.

2nd Offence: Letter from the SBSC Board will be addressed to the Skater and Parent/Guardian outlining the nature of the violation.

3rd Offence: Suspension from all Club programs without compensation for 1 week. This includes all competitions and test days.

4th Offence: Skater may be asked to leave the Club at the Board’s discretion.

In the case of a serious breach of ethics, the skater may be immediately suspended at the Board’s discretion. In cases of suspension or expulsion, no refund of any kind will be granted.

Latest Review Date: July 25, 2024 Scheduled Review Date: July 2026 Date Created: Sept 2019

Parent/Caregiver

Silver Blades Skater Code of Conduct

The Silver Blades Figure Skating Club (SBSC) is committed to ensuring that all skaters have the opportunity to participate in a safe and welcoming environment that is encouraging and promotes their overall development. Parents have an enormous influence on skaters’ experiences in the sport. The quality of a skater’s experience is influenced by their relationships with parents and the manner in which parents conduct themselves in the SBSC environment.

In this code “parents” shall refer to “parents and guardians” who are members of the SBSC or have children who are members of the SBSC. Parents shall always abide by this code while being at the rink, volunteering, attending or participating in any SBSC event, competition (at Silver Blades or at an event where SB is being represented) or sessions. All parents are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner consistent with the values of fair play, integrity, open communication and mutual respect.

Parents shall always model positive responsible behaviour and communicate with their child that they expect them to do the same. Parents will assume the major responsibility for their child’s on ice conduct and attitude. Parents shall always treat all individuals and property with dignity, courtesy and respect, including but not limited to skaters, coaches, officials, volunteers, other parents, and all other individuals that are part of the club, Section or Skate Canada.

General Ethics

1. Parents must be courteous at all times to everyone, including skaters and their fellow parents in accordance with the Skate Canada’s Code of Ethics.
2. For insurance reasons, Parents/Guardians are not permitted on the ice surface.
3. Parents, Guardians or designate should remain in the arena for the entire session (until the child reaches 12 years of age), unless a designated parent has been assigned/contact information left with Coach.
4. Coaches are not to be disturbed during lessons.
5. Parents shall refrain from any behaviour or comments which are profane, insulting, harassing, sexist, racist, abusive, disrespectful or otherwise offensive.
6. Parents shall emphasize the importance of values like sportsmanship, respect, cooperation, competition and teamwork to their child offering praise for competing fairly, participation and skill development.
7. Parents shall instill confidence in their child’s ability and skill development, avoiding comparisons with other skaters.
8. Parents shall celebrate the acquisition of skills and goals achieved by their child.
9. Parents, along with the professional coach and the athlete, shall be considered members of a team whose main concern is the child’s overall progress and development.
10. Parents shall respect that the professional coach is responsible and empowered for the on-ice and off-ice development of the athlete.
11. Parents shall ensure their child wears proper skating clothing and equipment.
12. Parents shall adhere to the policies, procedures, rules, standards, and ethics of the SBSC and Skate Canada at all times.
13. Parents will not use technology or social media to disrespect or exploit others.
14. Parents are not allowed to record another skater or any Coach without permission.
15. Concerns/Complaints will be reviewed only if submitted in writing to the Board and will be reviewed by the Executive Board.
16. Parents should not be communicating with their child while they are on the ice.

If a complaint is made in writing to the Executive board (board@silverblades.ca), the incident will be reviewed and disciplinary action may be taken.

I acknowledge that failure to comply with the Parent Code of Conduct by myself, or any member of my family, will result in disciplinary action up to and including revocation of membership.

Latest Review Date: July 25, 2024 Scheduled Review Date: July 2026 Date Created: July 2020

To view the following of our policies, please visit our Silver Blades Policies page;

• Concussion Policy
• Misconduct Reporting & Resolution
• Dispute Resolution
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Refund Policy
• Music Playing Guidelines
• Privacy Policy
• Skate Up/ Skate Down Policy

Volunteering at Silver Blades

Silver Blades is a volunteer-run club with over 500 members, and your involvement is critical to our success! As with previous years, we are offering many opportunities to add volunteer hours to your account. This season, the minimum volunteer commitment for each family registering a Intro to Preliminary, Preliminary, Junior, Intermediate or Senior skater is 10 volunteer hours (10 credits) over the course of the season or a fee of $250 (to be processed on June 1st, 2025 if you don’t fulfill your family’s minimum 10-hour volunteer commitment). 

Click here for current volunteer opportunities

Please contact volunteer@silverblades.ca for more information regarding volunteer opportunities at Silver Blades.

VIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Silver Blades is an inclusive club that supports our skaters whenever possible.  Click here to find out if your skater is a candidate for the Heidi Bertignoll Memorial Bursaries or the Silver Blades National Competition Grant.

More Info