Donna is a long-time figure skating coach, recently receiving her 25‑year coaching pin from Skate Canada. She began skating at the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa and later became one of the first members of the Gloucester Skating Club.

Since joining the Kemptville Skating Club in 2018, Donna has coached skaters of all ages, from PreCanSkate beginners through advanced test levels, especially in Freeskate and Skills up to Gold. She works collaboratively as a group coach and currently serves as Co‑CanSkate Coordinator for the 2024–25 season, focusing on a “skater-first” approach.

Donna values positive reinforcement, celebrating every achievement while offering constructive guidance. She believes skating teaches not only technical ability but also life skills such as discipline, resilience, and perseverance.

Outside the rink, Donna works full-time in IT and cybersecurity. She lives in Merrickville with her husband and cat. Known for her enthusiasm and genuine connection with skaters, she brings joy to every session and fosters a love of skating that extends beyond technical progress.

Jody is a STARSkate Coach, CanSkate Coach, PowerSkate Coach & Off-Ice Training Coach

My goal as a coach is to create a positive, supportive environment where every skater feels confident, motivated, and excited to come to the rink. I believe in building strong skating skills through encouragement, consistency, and individualized coaching that helps each athlete reach their full potential.

Whether a skater is learning their first skills, preparing for assessments, or training for competitions, I strive to make every lesson engaging, rewarding, and fun while fostering confidence and a lifelong love of skating.

My motto: "Work hard, have fun, and be proud of your progress."

Certifications & Experience

• Skate Canada Regional Certified Coach

• Provincial Coach Certification (In Progress)

• STAR 1–5 Coach Assessor

• STAR 6–Gold Artistic Coach Assessor

• Gold Test qualifications in Skills, Dance, and Free Skate

• Coaching experience with CanSkate, PowerSkate, STARSkate, Off-Ice Training, and competitive skaters

• Competition preparation, assessment preparation, choreography, and competition-day support

• Over 12 years of competitive figure skating experience

• Coaching experience in both individual and team sports, including hockey, softball, and soccer