Job Board

Position type: Independent Contractor
Reporting to: Technical Director

Role: The STAR Lead Coach reports to the Technical Director and acts as the primary coach for an assigned group of skaters. The STAR Lead Coach acts in the skaters’ and the club’s best interest as additional support to both the skater, their families, and the Guelph Skating Club.

Key Responsibilities:

To the Guelph Skating Club:

• Available for a significant portion of STAR programming and select Group programming as assigned by the Technical Director and based on the Coach’s availability. Aiming to achieve approximately:
  • 80% of the club’s scheduled STAR programming
  • 1 CanSkate session per week to assist with identification of students for STAR programming
• Providing group and individual lessons as assigned by the Technical Director on STAR A-C sessions. The coach will invoice the club for this time as per agreed group rates.
• Execute and deliver lessons as assigned by the Technical Director following Skate Canada’s STAR Program curriculum.
  • Lessons to be delivered with consideration to the movement criteria as per Skate Canada Standards and Skate Ontario’s STAR 1-5 Excellence Program.
• Provide instruction on skating skills and technique in all figure skating disciplines, especially Skills, Dance, and FreeSkate from Star 1 up to Gold.
• Attend coaches meetings as scheduled.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director to determine skater assessment and competition readiness.
• Complete STAR 1-5 assessments as assigned by the Technical Director and, as part of skater comments, provide appropriate feedback within the assessment report.
• Communicate any challenges, or concerns with the Technical Director.
• Attend STAR 1-5 Excellence Webinar provided by Skate Ontario and any other development seminars as recommended by the Technical Director.
• Keep up to date with STAR 1-5 Excellence delivery standards and meet these criteria while providing lessons.
• Collaborate in a positive manner with all skaters, coaches, parents, and board members to ensure that a skater first approach to development is being met in accordance with our Strategic Plan.
• Understand that test days, simulations and seminars are scheduled for the benefit of the athletes and within the limitations of the Guelph Skating Club. They will not be rescheduled due to individual coach or athlete conflicts. This is in order to be fair to all other club skaters.
• Schedule skater competition assignments to align with a minimum of two club designated competitions as agreed with the Technical Director in order to assist in facilitating a supportive, inclusive and team environment for Guelph Skating Club athletes.

To the Assigned Athletes:

• The Lead Coach will be assigned a pod of skaters where the coach is responsible for the skater’s development within the Guelph Skating Club, in collaboration with the Technical Director.
• Conduct a planning meeting at the start and at the conclusion of each skating season (e.g., 2026/2027) with each assigned skater and/or their family member(s) as appropriate, with the inclusion, and support if required, of the Technical Director.
  • The planning meeting will ensure that the skater, coach, and club are aware of the skaters goals and competition plans for the season. This will allow the club to plan simulations and test days accordingly at the best interest of the skaters.
• Responsible for planning and delivering private lessons to skaters within their assigned pod during STAR C and STAR D sessions.
  • Skaters will be invoiced by the Lead Coach based on the coach’s private rate established with the Guelph Skating Club.
• Arrange additional lessons for their skaters on STAR C and D sessions from an approved list of coaches, as needed.
• Complete STAR 1-5 assessments for skaters within the Lead Coach’s assigned pod, as appropriate.
• Attend competitions with their assigned athletes.
  • If the Lead Coach is unavailable for a competition, simulation or test day, they are to notify the Technical Director who will assist in finding an appropriate substitute to support the athlete, to ensure athletes are able to attend the competitions that work best for their yearly planning and goals.
• Support and encourage all designated skaters to participate in club programming, activities and seminars as offered to promote a team environment and ensure all club skaters receive the same opportunities.

Expectations:

• Inform the Technical Director of changes in availability as soon as known throughout the season
  • When absences are unforeseen (i.e., illness), notify and assist the Technical Director with finding appropriate coverage from the listing of substitute coaches
• Assist with music set-up if available prior to sessions to avoid delays in training time for skaters and coaches
• Confirm skaters are wearing appropriate equipment and communicate any concerns to the Technical Director and skater families, as appropriate.
• Communicate any skater, parent, coach comments or concerns to the Technical Director
• Record hours coached using the club provided program (e.g., Dayforce) on a weekly basis for biweekly payment. 

Working Hours:

The Guelph Skating Club has sessions 6 days a week, with a mix of early morning and evening sessions. These sessions are held at various arenas within Guelph. 

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents via email to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover letter outlining coaching philosophy
• NCCP transcript
• Proof of Skate Canada Coach-in-Good-Standing status
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification
• Current Criminal Background Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (or willingness to obtain)