President’s Message ANGIE RIVIELLO-STEFFANO
Getting Your Coaching Degree I
have returned home from a very productive weekend with the most energetic and brilliant coaches. The PSA fall Board of Governors meeting was held, followed by a Strategic Planning meeting. There were many things discussed and wonderful ideas shared. The group of dedicated coaches that give their time and energy to this organization is truly humbling. One concern that was discussed is the decline in coaches who are taking ratings exams. The culture is changing to where more coaches are stopping their pursuit of ratings if they are U.S. Figure Skating “CER” compliant. This is baffling to me because the importance of validating your profession is what we all should strive for. There is a huge difference between the CER courses that are required from U.S. Figure Skating and a PSA Rating. The ratings are based on your coaching techniques, ethics, coaching philosophy, and more. When I passed my Master Ratings, it was, to-date, the biggest professional accomplishment of my life. I was one of the athletes that “lived” skating and at 18 years of age, turned professional and left for the ice show. After the show, I started coaching right away and fell in love with our wonderful sport in a whole new way. For me, passing a master exam was my college degree. I didn’t go to college and always felt that I wasn’t quite up to par with some of my college graduate friends. When I had the certificate that stated I was a Master Rated Coach, all of the years of my “skating education” had just been validated. As a parent, you always keep your fingers crossed when they are posting your child’s school teacher for the year. You want the most educated teacher to help mold your child’s future; shouldn’t it be the same for your child’s skating coach? The PSA Ratings System is for coaches who want to validate their skating skills and teaching experience. Ratings
Take note.. .
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are an assurance to clubs, rinks, skaters, parents and the general pubic that the coach they hire is technically qualified to instruct at the level in which they are rated. The ratings process is long and challenging for the coach. There are four different levels that can be obtained through the ratings process: Registered, Certified, Senior and Master levels. In order to claim to be a “PSA rated” coach, the candidate is required to successfully complete two components at each level. Each level requires a written Sport Science and Medicine exam as well as a 60-minute oral exam that is facilitated by a panel of three master-rated coaches in that particular discipline. When you pass an exam, it shows you are competent, ethical and have a strong teaching philosophy. Now, as an arena manager, I look at who has what rating. It says a lot about the person you are hiring if the coach has the dedication to prepare for and absorb the fees that are associated with obtaining a rating. It shows the club/ employer and the skating parents the coach is continuing his or her education, trying to improve on what they teach, and believe in pushing forward, learning new things, and staying on the cutting edge of this ever changing sport. They are truly a role model to the athletes they work with. The PSA takes great pride in its rated members. It is evident that they truly believe in being the best coaches they can be in order to pass their knowledge onto the athletes. Parents should feel better knowing that their coach continues to dedicate themselves to education, new techniques and rule changes. Just remember: PSA Ratings = Competencies If you are interested in more information on PSA Ratings, you can visit www.skatepsa.com.
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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2013