The 2025 Skate Ontario Coaches Conference, is dedicated to empowering coaches with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to foster holistic athlete development. Centered on athlete-focused coaching, we prioritize mental performance, team dynamics, and well-being, while embracing the power of learning through play. Our commitment to excellence extends to refining technical and tactical approaches, ensuring that every coach leaves motivated and equipped to support athletes both on and off the ice.
This Conference is available to all Ontario coaches at the NCCP Regional In Training status and higher and must be In Good Standing. PD Points will be given to coaches for each day they attend.
Any questions please contact Katherine Short, Coordinator, Provincial Programs.
Friday, May 2, 2025 - Sunday, May 4, 2025
White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa – 253 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Gale Centre Arena – 5152 Thorold Stone Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 0A2
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- Participants will be responsible for their transportation from White Oaks to the Gale Centre Arena on Sunday, May 4th.
Accommodations – Participants can book accommodations at White Oaks HERE. To book accommodations within the Skate Ontario block, rooms must be booked by April 7th, 2025. First night’s room/tax/facility fee deposit is required upon booking.
If any there are any issues or questions, please contact the White Oaks Reservations Team to book accommodations at 800-263-5766. The Reservations Team will be available from 7:30am – 10:00pm daily.
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- Rooms are available at White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa.
- Night of Friday, May 2nd – $249 + HST + MAT
- Night of Saturday, May 3rd – $289 + HST + MAT
- Please note there is a $15 + HST facility fee included as well. This includes White Oaks’ premium high speed wireless internet throughout the Resort, Self-Parking, Fitness and Racquet Club access*, access to our Indoor Pool, Concierge Services, and unlimited local phone calls.
Amenities within the White Oaks facility – There are lots of additional things to do at the White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa outside of the conference session times taking place:
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- Participants will have access to the Gym located within the facility
- Anyone wanting to reserve Tennis, Squash, or any classes* you can do this at the Club Desk when you are onsite. It can be booked 48 hours in advanced
- Spa Services* can be booked here
- Items with an asterisk (*) are at the cost of the participant and are not included in the registration price for the Skate Ontario Coach Conference.
Amenities nearby – We will also be located centrally to lots of other wonderful things to do in the Niagara Area!
Lee Barkell is a world-renowned figure skating coach and a 2022 Skate Canada Hall of Fame inductee. With over three decades of experience, he has coached Olympic and World Champions, including Gabrielle Daleman, Jeffrey Buttle, and Satoko Miyahara. A recipient of multiple coaching excellence awards, Lee has contributed significantly to the sport, coaching at four Olympic Games and mentoring athletes to over 140 national and international medals.
Dr. Beth McCharles is a mental performance consultant with extensive experience working with Olympic and professional athletes, professional artists and top-tier organizations. She is currently the MPC for the Toronto Sceptres in the PWHL. Beth specializes in developing strategies to enhance focus, resilience, and confidence in high-pressure environments. Passionate about fostering growth, Beth combines evidence-based practices with a practical and experiential approach to help individuals unlock their full potential.
Heather is one of Canada’s leading experts at the intersection
of mental health and high-performance sport. Recognized for
her deep knowledge and skill as a Clinical Psychologist with
expertise in performance psychology, alongside her passion
and enthusiasm for creating change, Heather’s impact is
system-wide; including support for athletes, coaches, sport
leaders and organizations across all levels of the Canadian
sport system.
She has been on the leading edge of the evolution of mental
health prioritization in sport in recent years, helping build
awareness of the unique challenges related to “mental
injuries,” including eating disorders. She is adept at driving
high-performance cultures through a series of steps and
processes that develop the right conditions for people and
organizations to grow to their full potential.
As Mental Health Lead for Athletics Canada, Swimming
Canada and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, Heather leads
the path for early intervention and treatment of athletes and
coaches. She is also the psychologist for the High-
Performance Centre – Ontario (HPC-ON), working with the
national swim team athletes and coaches and creating a
psychologically-informed environment. She has been
supporting high-performance and world-class athletes and
coaches on their journey up to and including the Olympics and
Paralympics since 2008 and is a provider for Game Plan’s
Mental Health Network.
Heather has over two decades of experience providing
psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment to
diverse populations, in both private practice and the public
healthcare system. As Clinical Lead at Humber River Hospital,
she helped reinvent the model of care in the outpatient mental
health program, boosting effectiveness and reducing wait
times from two years to less than two months.
Beyond clinical practice and leadership roles, Heather is a
sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator,
known for creating engaging, transformative experiences and
workshops related to mental health for high-performers.
Karen has been an active and dedicated volunteer with Skate Canada for many years, contributing to the sport in various official capacities. She is a qualified ISU Championship Referee and Judge in both Singles and Pairs, bringing extensive experience and expertise to her roles. In addition, Karen is trained as an ISU Seminar Program Components Facilitator, further enhancing her ability to support and educate the skating community. Over the years, she has contributed to numerous committees at both the Sectional and National levels, shaping the development of the sport in Canada.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Regina, blending her passion for education with her commitment to figure skating.
Kevin Dawe is a Nationally certified figure skating coach with over 18 years of experience, coaching athletes from grassroots to high-performance levels. A recipient of the 2023 Petro Canada FACE Award and Manitoba Coach Award of Excellence, Kevin has coached at national and international championships. He holds a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology, a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies, and is a Skate Canada Certified Coach Evaluator and Learning Facilitator. Kevin also completed the Skate Canada National High-Performance Coach Mentorship Program (2022-2024). With a strong academic foundation and extensive experience in coaching, Kevin Dawe brings a blend of technical expertise and innovative coaching strategies to the world of figure skating.
Asher Hill is a coach, choreographer, and former Canadian World and National Team Member. Skating since the age of 4, he showed a passion for artistry, performance, skating skills and excelled at both free skate and ice dance, competing at the national level for both. He eventually turned his focus solely to ice dance winning 3 consecutive national titles (Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior) international medals in both Junior and Senior, representing Canada at the 2012 World Championships with long time partner Kharis Ralph.
With his vast experience as an international competitive ice dancer his coaching focus is educating our athletes on proper skating techniques such as power, flow, turns, edge quality, and performance. In his short years as a choreographer, he has created programs for National and International medalists and competitors in both single and ice dance, including Canadian national champion and Olympian Madeline Schizas. Asher is also the host of CBC Sports’ “That Figure Skating Show” and was runner up on Season 6 of Battle of the Blades. OR
Asher Hill is a former Canadian World and National Team ice dancer, with three consecutive national titles (Pre-Novice, Novice, and Junior) and international medals. He represented Canada at the 2012 World Championships alongside his partner, Kharis Ralph. Asher now focuses on coaching and choreographing, specializing in skating techniques, edge quality, and performance. He has worked with National and International medalists in both singles and ice dance, including Canadian Olympian Madeline Schizas.
Additionally, Asher is the host of That Figure Skating Show on CBC Sports and was a runner-up on Battle of the Blades.
Raoul is an ISU technical specialist in singles and pairs, with extensive officiating experience at events ranging from the invitational level to ISU Championships. While he is also a National level coach and Skate Canada facilitator, he has contributed to numerous committees and conducted seminars and workshops to support the development of technical officials and coaches.
Andrea Derby is a distinguished figure skating official, and former competitor with a career spanning over 40 years. As an athlete, she competed in five National Championships across Novice, Junior, and Senior Pair categories. After retiring from competition, Andrea began judging at the age of 16, eventually serving as an official at two Olympic Games, four World Championships, and numerous Senior and Junior Grand Prix events.
Her extensive qualifications include ISU Judge and Referee (Singles and Pairs), ISU Technical Controller (Pairs), and International Technical Controller (Singles). Andrea’s lifelong commitment to figure skating has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Darlene Joseph is a highly accomplished figure skating coach with over 36 years of experience guiding athletes from STAR 1 to Senior Podium Pathway levels. A certified NCCP National Level Coach, she has coached at the Canada Winter Games and Ontario Winter Games and currently coaches multiple athletes on Skate Canada’s NextGen Team.
Beyond coaching, Darlene has held numerous influential roles with Skate Canada, including Chair of the High-Performance Development Committee and member of the Technical Coordinating Committee. She has served on the Board of Directors for Skate Canada, contributed to the Governance and Membership Policy Committees, and supported the development of technical manuals and Long-Term Development strategies. As the Director of Skating at the Gloucester Skating Club, Darlene combines her coaching expertise with leadership, mentorship, and a deep commitment to advancing the sport nationally.
Danielle Rose is a National and International coach and choreographer with over 20 years of experience. She has coached top athletes, including two-time Canadian champion Nam Nguyen and Warsaw Cup champion and Canadian Bronze medalist Katherine Medland Spence.
As co-owner and director of the Richmond Training Centre with her husband, Ken, Danielle specializes in choreography, skating skills, and spins while serving as the Intro to Figure Skating Director. She also leads the Creative Movement and Richmond Theatre Company on-ice classes, fostering artistry and performance in skating.
Ken Rose is a highly accomplished National and International figure skating coach with over 20 years of experience developing athletes from grassroots to the highest levels of competition. His expertise has guided skaters to success on both national and international stages, including recent achievements such as coaching Fiona Bombardier to two National medals and currently coaching the 2025 Canadian Bronze medalist, Katherine Medland Spence.
A decorated skater himself, Ken was the 2003 Junior Canadian Champion and proudly represented Canada in nine international competitions, including the 2003 Junior World Championships. His competitive career also saw him claim two medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit.
Beyond coaching, Ken is deeply invested in the growth of the sport as the owner and director of the Richmond Training Centre, which he operates alongside his wife, Danielle. Committed to fostering excellence in figure skating, Ken continues to mentor and develop athletes, sharing his passion and expertise with the next generation of skaters.
Katherine Medland Spence is an accomplished figure skater and dedicated coach, bringing a wealth of experience to the 2025 Skate Ontario Coaches Conference. She is the 2025 Canadian Senior Women Bronze Medalist, 2024 Warsaw Cup Champion, and proudly represented Canada at the 2025 ISU Four Continents Championships.
In addition to her competitive success, Katherine is a Provincial level coach with eight years of coaching experience, guiding skaters in their technical and artistic development. Her passion for the sport extends beyond the ice as she pursues a Chemistry degree at Carleton University, balancing academics with her commitment to coaching and mentorship.
Katherine’s unique perspective as both an elite athlete and a dedicated coach makes her an invaluable speaker at this year’s conference. She is excited to share her insights on training strategies, athlete development, and the evolving landscape of competitive figure skating.
Charles earned his PhD in Sport Psychology from Western University in London, Ontario and has coached athletes to numerous championships in a range of sports. His current institutional clients include Skate Ontario, The Ice Academy of Montreal- London Campus, Team Canada NextGen (Golf) and Team Ontario (Golf). Whether it is with teams or individuals, Charles uses his athletic experiences and his empathetic communication style to teach mental skills which have been proven to enhance coping, satisfaction, and performance. When he's not coaching, Charles’ is a world ranked amateur golfer who has won championships on 3 continents including multiple Ontario and Canadian titles.
Scott Moir is a 5-time Olympic medalist and one of the most celebrated ice dancers in history. Alongside his skating partner Tessa Virtue, he captured gold at the 2010 and 2018 Winter Olympics. Today, Scott is a leading figure skating coach at the Ice Academy of Montreal - London Campus, committed to developing the next generation of athletes with a focus on performance, resilience, and teamwork.
Adrian Diaz is a two-time Olympian and World competitor in ice dance, representing Spain. As a trailblazer in Spanish ice dance, he helped elevate the sport’s profile in his country through consistent international success. Since retiring from competition, Adrian has transitioned into coaching, where he brings his expertise, creativity, and global perspective to developing the next generation of ice dancers.
Madison Hubbell is a 2 times Olympic medalist including a bronze in Ice Dance and Gold in the team event for the USA at the 2022 Olympics. Madison is also a 4-time World medalist, and three-time U.S. national champion in ice dance. Madison enjoyed a highly successful career with partner Zachary Donohue. Now a coach and choreographer, Madison is passionate about developing well-rounded athletes and fostering creativity, confidence, and connection in her coaching.
Cara Moir is a world champion in Synchronized skating with NEXXICE. With a background in coaching Ice Dance & Synchro, choreography, and coach education, Cara plays an integral role in shaping training environments that foster both technical excellence and athlete well-being in both the grassroots and high-performance pathways.
| Friday, May 2, 2025 |
| Event Time |
Event Title |
Event Place |
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6:30 pm - 8:30 pm |
Networking Evening |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
| Saturday, May 3, 2025 |
| Event Time |
Event Title |
Event Place |
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8:15 am - 8:45 am |
Breakfast |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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9:00 am - 9:50 am |
Keynote Speaker - Lee Barkell |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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10:00 am - 11:15 am |
Athlete Centered Coaching and Planning with Ken & Danielle Rose & Katherine Medland Spence |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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10:00 am - 11:15 am |
Team Coaching and Succession Planning with Darlene Joseph |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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11:30 am - 12:30 pm |
Spokes of a Coach with Karen Howard |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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12:30 pm - 1:30 pm |
Lunch |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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1:30 pm - 3:00 pm |
Supporting Athlete Wellbeing with Dr. Heather Wheeler |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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1:30 pm - 3:00 pm |
Mental Performance in Coaching with Charles Fitzsimmons, Scott Moir, Cara Moir, Adrian Diaz & Madison Hubbell |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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3:00 pm - 4:50 pm |
TBA |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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5:00 pm |
End of Day 1! |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
| Sunday, May 4, 2025 |
| Event Time |
Event Title |
Event Place |
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7:15 am - 8:00 am |
Breakfast |
White Oaks Resort, Niagara-On-The-Lake |
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8:00 am - 8:30 am |
Travel to Arena |
Gale Centre Arena |
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9:00 am - 11:50 am |
ON ICE: Error Correction and Building Rotation in Jumps with Kevin Dawe |
Gale Centre Arena (50 mins/session on a rotation) |
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ON ICE: Enhancing Skating Through Music with Asher Hill |
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Understanding Program Components with Karen Howard |
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ON ICE: Through the eyes of a Technical Specialist with Andrea Derby and Raoul Leblanc |
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12:00 pm - 12:30 pm |
Lunch |
Gale Centre Arena |
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12:30 pm - 1:30 pm |
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Beth McCharles |
Gale Centre Arena |
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1:30 pm |
End of Skate Ontario Coach Conference! |
Gale Centre Arena |
