Program Assistants (PAs)
Program Assistants are a vital component of any successful Learn to Skate Program. Metcalfe Skating Club uses them on both their Parent & Tot and Canskate sessions to assist the Skate Canada coaches in the delivery of the program.
Role of a PA
The Role of a PA is to:
- Demonstrate skills
- Help lead warm-up, group activity and cool-down
- Help skaters on and off of the ice
- Help set up the ice and clean up
- Watch for safety of all skaters on the ice (holes, skate laces, etc)
- Lead your group from station to station
- Assist coach during the lesson
- Assist any skater who needs help
- Record group attendance
- Encourage skaters!
Requirements to be a PA
To be a successful PA, the skater should demonstrate the following personal characteristics:
- Patience
- Good communicator and demonstrator
- Enthusiastic
- Team Player
- Good Role Model
- Punctual
- Reliable
- Prepared and Organized
- Able to lead groups, encourage skaters, offer praise
- Able to keep skaters moving while having fun
Additional Qualifications
In addition to the above personal characteristics, skaters taking on the role of a PA should also ideally meet the following qualifications
- Be at least 9 years of age
- Figure Skaters: Passed a minimum of one STAR 1 or higher level Skate Canada test (Preliminary).
- Hockey/Ringette Players: Be comfortable demonstrating forwards and backwards skating skills, stopping, edgework, 1 and 2 foot turning and basic 1 or 2 foot jumps forwards to backwards.
If your skater does not meet the above qualifications but is still interested in becoming a PA, please contact Canskate coordinator Amy at coaches@metcalfeskatingclub.ca
