Coaches

My experience with FASSCI began around 1996 when my son entered the Learn to Skate program. I got involved on the ice assisting the coach about 4 years later and have been helping out ever since. This will be my seventh consecutive season coaching the club’s younger athletes.

 

My athletic background is as a soccer player, runner and more recently cyclist, although I skated Master’s short track and long track for several years. I wasn’t particularly proficient, but had a lot of fun!

 

I’ve stayed involved with speed skating because it’s such a great sport. It’s a true combination of technique, fitness and tactics. Skaters who put the work in will see the rewards, although not always in a linear fashion. Speed skating has its ups and downs (literally). It’s also rewarding to see New Brunswick skaters excelling on the national and international stage and knowing that you are a part of that community.

 

My academic background is in athlete and sport development, having gained a Master’s in Physical Education from UNB. I put this to good use in helping Speed Skate Canada revamp its competition system. Some of the changes included moving to East and West Youth Championships, changing the distances raced and introducing the 7m radius track for younger athletes.

 

Ultimately, my goal is that all skaters who step on the ice for practice have fun, improve their skating, develop confidence in themselves and improve their physical fitness.