UNIVERSITY SKATING CLUB - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Director
• Music Director
• CanSkate Coach

Annette is a CanSkate Coach in Training with several years of coaching experience teaching both children and adults. Annette truly enjoys teaching the foundations of skating techniques to skaters of all ages. She is also an adult competitive figure skater, representing University Skating Club winning both a Gold Medal (Bronze Jumps) Silver Medal (Bronze Solo) in May, 2023. She will also continue to compete at the adult level through the 2023-24 skating season.

Ian Youle was simply following in his father David's tracings when he initially laced up skates at age 7 at the Halifax Figure Skating Club (Youle Sr. competed in Junior Pairs at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships in the early 1940s, and was a figures, free skate and dance judge for over 25 years). As a youngster, Ian also skated at Ottawa's Minto Skating Club. At age 15 Youle acquired a skating partner and competed in pairs at Sectionals. In his late teens he advanced to the Divisional level in novice men's singles and won a silver medal in men's singles at the Canada Winter Games, 1971. Through university in Halifax and Toronto Ian skated sporadically, becoming serious about completing his tests in his mid-twenties. He passed his Gold Figure and Gold Dance tests as an adult and conquered the Gold Free Skate at the age of 30. Coaches notable in Ian's development as a skater were Rea Kraisosky, John McWilliams, Bob Emerson and Carol Lane. Ian has pursued ballroom dance lessons with his wife Sharon, and is an able fencer. Experience Ian began coaching in 1990, and has been a full-time coach since 1999. He has taught on Sundays at the University Skating Club since 1995, and began teaching on Saturday afternoons there in 2007. He also teaches at Central Toronto SC (Moss Park), Forest Hill FSC and Leaside SC. Qualifications Canadian National Coaching Certification Program: Level 2 Fully Certified in Free Skate and Dance John's Ambulance First Aid Certificate

Job Titles:

• Certified Skate Canada Coach

Jessica Cunha is a Registered Kinesiologist and Regional Certified Skate Canada Coach in the Toronto area. As a coach, her mission extends beyond teaching technical skills; it encompasses the holistic development of each skater, focusing on what they require to be successful. She believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment where skaters not only excel in their athletic abilities, but also grow as individuals.

Job Titles:

• Director
• President
• Treasurer

Job Titles:

• Director
• Secretary

Rachel has been coaching since 1990. A graduate of the National Coaching Institute and the Seneca College Coaching Programs; she has completed the National Coaching Certification Program level 4 and she has seven of the eight tasks for level 5 (the highest coaching certification in Canada). Rachel specializes in mental training and the technical aspects of singles skating; as well as athlete management and packaging. Her skaters have passed Senior competitive singles test, Novice competitive pair test, as well gold freeskate, skills and dance test. Rachel coaches skaters from beginner through to the elite level and has coached skaters at provincial, national and international competitions. Rachel has been actively involved in figure skating all her life and she brings an extensive background as a parent of an elite figure skater who was a National Team Member. Her skaters have won many sectional, Trillium StarSkate, Ontario Winter Games and National medals. She has had several skaters named to various development teams from Primary Stars to COS Team Elite. She is a dedicated and passionate coach.