By: Valya Roberts

Bill Poje, Volunteer

At the 2024 Sectionals competition in Kitchener Waterloo, I had the opportunity to talk to the volunteers who were helping for the weekend. What many people might not know is that according to Michelle Hunsley (Skate Ontario Manager of Events), “99.9% of all the work is done by volunteers”

With Sectional Series July kicking off tomorrow, it is my pleasure to highlight the importance of volunteers at events as we head into the 2025-2026 season.

Let’s start with our officials. Many people do not realize that those judges and officials are all volunteers, be it a club competition or the Olympics! Cold rinks and long hours! So why do they do it?

According to skating official Trevor Crowe, he doesn’t mind the hours sitting rinkside judging a sport he loves, but what keeps him volunteering is the social aspect. He enjoys meeting up with his fellow officials at the events and even outside of the skating competitions. “There is a great sense of community, it’s like a family”.

Andrea Derby an international judge (& volunteer) agrees and like other volunteers loves the sport and the opportunity to give back. As a former skater she had to decide if she wanted to coach or be a judge and is pleased she decided to become a judge. “My mother was also a judge, so it was an easy decision for me”.

Many volunteers initially get involved because their children are skating in the sport. Bill and Tanja Poje from the Kitchener Waterloo club have both been volunteering in various roles since the 90’s. They continue to volunteer because they also want to give back. Tanya explains, “We received so much support over the years with Andrew that this is how we can help”. Their son Andrew Poje, an Ice Dancer with partner Kaitlyn Weaver, is a World medalist, as well as a Grand Prix and Four Continents Champion. Like his parents, Andrew has continued to support the skating community as a volunteer on the Skate Canada Board of Directors.

Trevor Crowe, Volunteer

It also helps that as a volunteer you can choose from a variety of tasks, which, according to Angela Stark (also a skating parent), makes it interesting as there are so many opportunities. She has tried most roles, but at this skating competition, Angela was volunteering with hospitality. Many volunteers say that this is a very important role. Nice warm food and tasty snacks in cold rinks are much appreciated, at KW this even included candies at each table.

One current parent also added that volunteering is a great distraction when your child is skating’, instead of freezing in the stands you can help and really be a part of the team. I can attest to this as a 30-year volunteer with Skate Ontario and Skate Canada it’s a nice feeling to be involved in a sport that you love.

If you would like to volunteer at a Skate Ontario event, check out the skate Ontario website at skateontario.org.