The Three Way Partnership

Role of the Skater

Be honest
Remember, you only get out of something what you put into it
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Take pride in your strengths. Work on your weaknesses
Be committed to being an athlete
Always be supportive of your fellow skaters
Make a point to learn something every day of your life
Keep your mind open. Stay away from people who will try to close it
Stick to the task
Each test or competition is only a rung up the ladder of success. When you reach the top, the joy is not in being there but the realization of how much effort you put forth in order to get there.

Be honest
Love children
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Take pride in your strengths. Work on your weaknesses
Establish personal standards in dress, lifestyle, ethics and morals
Accept the responsibility of your role and realize the effect you have on children
Communicate with the skater and parents regularly. Sometimes the parents don’t know all of the questions to ask
Commit to learn something every day of your life. Know more tomorrow than you know today
Realize that there are teachers, coaches and managers; you may not be all three
The end result is not the tests passed or the competitions won, but the quality of your work in helping the skater become more prepared for the next challenges in skating and in life.

Love your child for what he/she is
Be realistic about their ability
Be realistic about their strengths and weaknesses
Don’t live your desires through your child
Understand their skating career will have peaks and valleys
Accept the judges’ decisions. Do not blame a poor mark on a judge. Everyone has good days and bad days. To fail a test does not mean the child is a failure
Measure success by their development as a person, not as a skater
Communicate with the coach. Make sure you ask questions and understand the total commitment and involvement
Be a person your child can be proud of
In consultation with your child and your coach, set realistic goals
Understand that rink gossip can only be harmful to your child, the coaching team and yourself
Be supportive of all coaches and skaters
Avoid the temptation to make comparisons between your child and other skaters
Offer positive encouragement, rather than criticism