COACH
Coach Integration into U.S. Figure Skating By Heidi Thibert, U.S. Figure Skating Director of Coaching Development and Education
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rompted by a survey of athlete members for the development of U.S. Figure Skating’s Strategic Plan 2022-26 where athletes ranked their coaches as the #1 influence in their success, U.S. Figure Skating and PSA took the first steps forward seeking to grow our sport in the U.S. by moving coach education development and certification to U.S. Figure Skating. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) encourages and supports the move for the National Governing Bodies (NGBs), such as U.S. Figure Skating, to house their coaching development and education programs and certify their coaches. At the 2023 Governing Council, the vote for a coach-specific membership was 983 in favor to 9 opposed. The message was truly clear— coaches are important! As coaches are the only constituency that has regular interactions with athletes, parents, officials, clubs and rink management, a critical component to growing our sport is an integrated coaching program included in strategic decision-making to ensure a common strategy for growth and success. The coach integration plan includes empowering the coaching members by implementing: 1. U.S. Figure Skating Coach Membership: through a club or individual member/Background check/ SafeSport Training/Liability insurance/Core Certification/Continuing Education Units (CEUs) 2. Verification/ Validation (online, searchable directory with a coach digital “business card” verifying aspects of their coaching business) 3. Governance and Voting Rights (Coaches Council with voting privileges at Governing Council) 4. System of Coach Development (Team at headquarters to deliver coach certification, development, and education maximizing USOPC resources for all U.S. Figure Skating coaches) 5. Rules and Athlete Programs more coach-driven (coach influence and connection to athlete development and athlete experiences)
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JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2024
U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Council
The U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Council was approved by the 2023 Governing Council as part of the coach integration project, and the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors has appointed the inaugural Coaches Council that will serve as an Interim Council to sunset when an elected Council takes its place in May 2025. The Council is led by a Chair, Tim Covington, and a leadership team of six vice-chairs. The Council includes at least one-third athletes, which may be 10 year or 10 year+ athletes; however, members are not allowed to serve simultaneously on the Athletes Advisory Committee. An “athlete” is defined as anyone who has represented TEAM USA at an international competition at the senior level, or World junior or junior Grand Prix at any point in their skating career. The twenty-seven members that make up the Council reflect the broad experiences of the coaching community. Backgrounds that were considered include coaching at various levels from Learn to Skate USA to national and international, as well as all disciplines and programs offered in U.S. Figure Skating. The Coaches Council reports to the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors and communicates regularly with other committees, especially those in the Athlete Services Section. The Council fulfills the following responsibilities: • Functions as a space to share ideas and knowledge and input from coach members of U.S. Figure Skating. • Serves as an advisory group and partners on strategies with appropriate U.S. Figure Skating staff departments delivering coach certification, development, and education. • Provides input into athlete development strategies and major decisions impacting athletes (i.e., NQS, qualifying pipeline, etc.) • Serves as delegates to the Governing Council, representing coaches (2025). • Supports working groups for areas supporting
