“We are using our technology in a positive
way so that we can spend more time with our clientele face-to-face,” Dilworth said. “Bottom line and the most important thing, we are not sitting behind a desk in front of a computer for hours on end. We are able to spend more time with the client and really talk to them and fi nd out what their real needs are.”
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
Recognizing a need for more standardiza- tion in ice skating grassroots education, all Learn to Skate USA instructors must pass certifi cation tests to ensure the highest quality of teaching on and off the ice, according to Brenda Glidewell, membership development director at U.S. Figure Skating. As part of the fi rst certifi cate course, instructors will be trained and certifi ed in their instructor role, professionalism, class organiza- tion and management, class preparation, lesson planning, eff ective teaching, safety concerns and customer service.
A UNIFIED EFFORT With the support of U.S. Figure Skating,
USA Hockey and US Speedskating, the door has been opened to invite a larger variety of ice athletes, both youths and adults. “You can now market your program to
a broader audience,” said Kimberly Berry, a Denver-based Learn to Skate USA business
development specialist. “Before it was tailored to that fi gure skating audience, and here it’s going to have a broad appeal to the general public: hockey players, fi gure skaters, speedskaters. “T e fact we have all three [U.S. Olympic]
national governing bodies on board, promoting this as the premier learn-to-skate program across the country, is fantastic.” Marion Wohlrab, events and programs
director at US Speedskating, sees Learn to Skate USA as a way to introduce ice skating in a fun and no-pressure way. “It’s a great opportunity for all three of us,”
Wohlrab said. “With it being a grassroots pro- gram, there’s no need for participants to special- ize early on, so this is just a great common eff ort to get kids out there on the ice and skating.” At USA Hockey, Kevin McLaughlin, senior
director of hockey development, said having this affi liation with U.S. Figure Skating and US Speedskating will benefi t all three ice sports at the grassroots level. “Learn to Skate USA is critical to creating a solid foundation for everyone to have an enjoy- able experience in whatever ice sport they end up choosing,” McLaughlin said. “I think it is great that Learn to Skate USA is aggressively market- ing ice skating to encourage every kid possible to go to their local rink and give skating a try. Participation in a Learn to Skate USA program is a recommended fi rst step before registering for
a Learn to Play Hockey program. USA Hockey is thrilled to be involved in such an exciting program.”
“Learn to Skate USA off ers in-depth, excel-
lent, age-appropriate pathways for all skaters,” said two-time hockey Olympian Guy Gosselin, now the American Development Model regional manager for USA Hockey in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Northern Plains.
OFF AND SKATING Now, after more than two years of research,
training and hard work, the Learn to Skate USA program is off to a great start. When it debuted on June 1, more than 1,000 rinks nationwide had Learn to Skate USA programs. And that number is sure to grow. “Across the board, people are excited about
it,” Dilworth said. Michelle Lauerman, a California-based
Learn to Skate USA business development spe- cialist, believes the early demand will only foster Learn to Skate USA’s success. “I’ve had so many coaches and judges go out of their way to reach out to me to say, ‘Can we please get this program in our rink? We want it now and know how good it’s going to be.’” To learn more about Learn to Skate USA contact
info@learntoskateusa.com, memberser-
vices@learntoskateusa.com or 1.877.587.1400.
A BIG THANK YOU!
U.S. Figure Skating thanks all past and present Basic Skills committee chairs and committee members for making this the best learn-to-skate program in the world. Also, thanks to business development specialists Cathryn Schwab, Lisa Musmanno-Blue, Paula Wagener Blonder, Denise Hughes, Jason Dilworth, Carey Tinkelenberg, Kimberly Berry, Mark Fitzgerald, Michelle Lauerman and Patti Brinkley for introducing Learn to Skate USA to the entire country over the last year.
Susi Wehrli McLaughlin, senior director of membership at U.S. Figure Skating
SKATING 17
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