Coaches & Assistants
To teach Skate Canada programs at the Ayr Skating Club, coaches must:
be National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) trained and/or certified by Skate Canada.
be a current registered professional coaching member of Skate Canada.
have completed a Skate Canada approved clearance check and positions of trust check.
hold a valid First Aid certificate.
Carolyn Allwright, Skating Program Coordinator
Carolyn is a Skate Canada Certified National Coach who has taught in both small and large city clubs. Her experience in coaching is from the grass roots to international level. She has significant Learn to Skate coordinator and administrative experience with programs of all sizes. She is a nationally trained Master Learning Facilitator delivering various levels of coaching certification courses, Carolyn was part of the inaugural implementation of Club Consultants for Skate Canada and Skate Ontario. Carolyn is a Team Leader for Skate Canada on the International circuit including Junior and Senior Grand Prix events and ISU Championships. She contributed to the LTAD committee and was selected to be a member of Skate Canada's CanSkate Resource Team. She volunteers within Skate Ontario and Skate Canada.
Contact: carolyn@ayrskatingclub.com
Carolyn is not currently accepting new students for private lessons but may fill-in to provide lessons for our base coaches on occasion.
Grayson Lochhead, Base Coach
Coaching certification: Regional Certified, CanPower Trained
Years of Experience: 5 years
Experience and Personal Accomplishments:
CanSkate Certified since 2018
Regional Coach since 2018, Certified in May 2021
Competitive Ice dancer for 10 years
2016 Novice National Champions
4 years at Junior level
5 International competitions representing Canada
Trained with Olympic level coaches and training mates
Contact: gray.lochhead@gmail.com
Rate: $11.25/15 mins
Meredith Ovenden, Base Coach
Coaching Certification: Regional Certified; Provincial Training In-Progress
Years of Experience: 13 years
Experience: Coached in local skating clubs for over 12 years from Pre-Can up to Gold levels. Choreographed various Singles, Interpretive, Artistic and Ice show routines.
Honours Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo and Life Coaching Certification.
Personal Skating Accomplishments:
Top 3 Provincial Adult Skate Competitor
Quadruple Gold Medalist: Dance, Skills, Interpretive and Freeskate
Trained in local area for 20 years in skating, fitness and dance/movement
Trained in Senior Competitive Singles with Olympic-level coaches
Contact: mere.skating@gmail.com, 519-807-5132
Rate: $13.00/15 min
Figure skating is my passion! I take a positive coaching approach with all skaters, focusing on the development of athleticism, expression, and mental skills.
Megan Kroetsch, Learn-to-Skate Lead Coach
Coaching Certification: Club Coach Certified - CanSkate
Years of Experience: 12 years
Experience: Certified Canskate & Pre-Canskate Coach (10 years), Lead Coach & Canskate Coordinator with ASC (3 years). Specialized in coaching beginners of all ages and abilities. Honours Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, University of Guelph. Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development, Conestoga College.
Personal Skating Accomplishments:
Junior Bronze Free-Skate
Junior Bronze & Senior Bronze Dance
Second Figure Certified/ Skating Skills Class 5
Contact: m_kroetsch@hotmail.com
*not available for private lessons
George Han, Support/Learn-to-Skate Coach
Coaching Certification: Regional Certified; Provincial Training In-Progress
Years of Experience: 31 years
Experience: Coached in KW area for over 10 years from Pre-Can up to Gold levels. Coached in Korea for 20 years from head coach of local club and Korean National Team
Personal Skating Accomplishments:
Korean Men & Ice dance champion
ISU Championship - Korean Ice dance team
International Judge - Single & Ice Dance
Korean National Head Coach
ISU Technical Delegate - 2005 ISU 4 Continental Championships
2019 Volunteer Coach Award - Skate Ontario
Rate: $12.00/15 mins
Tammy Van Scheyndel, Support/Learn-to-Skate Coach
Coaching Certification: Regional Certified
Years of Experience: 25+ years
Experience: Coached in local skating clubs including Kitchener Waterloo, Cambridge, and New Hamburg teaching various levels and ages including Pre-Canskate, CanSkate, StarSkate, Adult Canskate and previously CanPowerSkate.
Personal Skating Accomplishments:
Selected as one of the top 10 Skate Canada Canskate Coaches in 2010
Have experience as a Canskate/Learn to Skate Coordinator and assisted with the development of the School Skate Program with the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club
Rate: $12.00/15 mins
Program Assistants
Program Assistants (PA) are an important part of a successful Pre Canskate / Canskate Program. They work alongside the professional coaches to help deliver a quality program. The PA program allows experienced skaters to serve as role models for our younger skaters, and practice their leadership skills. The PA program can also be used to complete high school volunteer hours.
The responsibilities of a PA include:
Setting up/cleaning up the circuits (toys, pylons) that each program requires
Assist young skaters on/off the ice, helping new skaters with standing, balancing, getting up, and stroking
Demonstrate the skills and lead the skaters through the program
Be a role model for all skaters participating in the session
If you are interested in becoming a PA, please contact the ASC
