Coaches
Julie Paul
Julie coaches skaters of all ages, and up to their Gold tests (Freeskate, Skills & Dance). Julie is also a certified PowerSkate coach.
Donna Daw
Donna has been a dedicated figure skating coach for many years, recently earning her 25-year coaching pin from Skate Canada, a testament to her commitment and passion for the sport. Her start in skating began at the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa, where she developed her foundational skills. She later became one of the first skating members of the Gloucester Skating Club, where she continued to hone her abilities and grow as a skater.
In 2018, Donna brought her coaching experience and knowledge to the Kemptville Skating Club, as a member of the coaching staff. She coaches skaters of all ages, guiding them through from beginner PreCanSkate through their skating test levels, particularly in Freeskate and Skills to a "Gold" level. Donna works with the other coaches as one of the club group coaches, in a collaborative environment. She took on the role of Co-CanSkate Coordinator for the 2024 - 25 season, committed to ensuring the programming and delivery focused on a "skater first" environment.
Donna believes in the power of positive reinforcement. She celebrates her skaters' successes, no matter how small, and provides constructive feedback to help them improve. Beyond instructing the complex technical skills of skating, Donna sees coaching is also teaching life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience. She views skating as a vehicle for personal development and strives to instill these values in her skaters.
Beyond the rink, Donna has a full-time career in the IT and cybersecurity sector, showcasing her versatility and ability to balance multiple demanding roles. She resides in Merrickville, where she enjoys the community spirit and active lifestyle with her husband (& cat).
Donna's coaching philosophy is centered on the holistic development of her students. She believes that while mastering technical skating skills is important, the life skills learned along the way are even more valuable.
You can often see Donna having just as much fun as the skaters when she is on the ice, her enthusiasm for the skaters progress and celebrating each small success is vital to both skills development and a positive skating atmosphere. Donna's joy and passion for skating are evident. Her ability to connect with her skaters on a personal level is important to her to make each session enjoyable and memorable, fostering a love for the sport that goes beyond just the technical aspects.
Jody
Jody is a regional & Canskate trained figure skating coach with a lifelong passion for the sport and over a decade of competitive experience. A mom to two, she balances work and family life with her love for coaching and passing on her knowledge. She holds gold-level certifications in skills, dance, and free skate, reflecting her high standard of expertise.
With over 12 years on the ice competitively, Jody brings both experience and enthusiasm to every lesson. Her coaching career extends beyond figure skating—she’s coached hockey, softball, and soccer, making her well-rounded in both team and individual sports. Known for her positive and encouraging approach, Jody is passionate about helping each skater reach their full potential, inspiring a love for skating and confidence on and off the ice.
Her moto is “Lets have some fun, while we work hard.”