Coaches' Code of Ethics, Sunset SC

Skate Canada Coaches' Code of Ethics

Your coach is bound by a code of ethics that they must sign with Skate Canada. You should read the code of ethics (shown below) so you understand the expectations of Skate Canada on the coach's behaviour. If you find that your coach is not following the code, you should discuss this first with the coach. If you find that this does not work, you should approach a board member of the club, who will work with you, Skate Canada and the coach to resolve the issue.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to the Skater and Parent

To assist one's skating student to determine realistic goals and objectives in the sport.
To provide the skater and parent/s with the basic information necessary to enable them to choose a realistic and affordable course of action to achieve these goals and objectives.
To outline clearly one's coaching services available including cost and method of payment for such services.
To provide such coaching services as agreed or contracted to each student.
To provide the skater and parent/s with a current copy of the Skate Canada Coaches' Code of Ethics and review the code with the skater and parent/s.
To maintain the skater's best interests at heart when making decisions that will affect the skater's advancement through the sport.
To be ever mindful of the influence one can exercise over one's skating students and to never abuse this trust.
To avoid making promises or giving guarantees to the skater and/or parents of test or competitive achievement but rather endeavor to restrict dialogue to the skater's personal skating development.
To communicate as regularly and effectively as possible with the skater and parent/s as to the skater's progress, changes in Skate Canada rules or club regulations, or other important or relevant information affecting the skater's participation in the sport.
To respect the fact that a skater and/or parent/s have the right to contract the services of another coach to either replace or supplement the student's instruction.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to the Sport

To be familiar with and adhere to the standards of coaching as defined under Section 2400 of the Skate Canada Rulebook; and maintain a current working knowledge of ISU, Skate Canada, Section and club rule changes, policies, regulations and programs so as to be able to deliver the product of skating in a professional manner.
To maintain professional competence by continually pursuing educational and professional upgrading including knowledge in related fields beneficial to skating (e.g. the performing arts, sport science, sport psychology, officiating, etc.).
To exhibit the important character traits of honesty, reliability/dependability and cooperation when dealing with all participants in the sport so as to bring credit to the profession.
To share responsibility with coaching colleagues, judges/evaluators and club officials to initiate and support actions that are required to meet the needs of the skaters, the club and skating in general.
To actively participate in the development and/or maintenance of desirable standards of coaching practice, education, certification and working conditions in the sport.
To dress in a neat, clean and appropriate manner that is becoming a member of this profession.
To give back a certain portion of time, effort and knowledge to the sport as a volunteer.
To promote Skate Canada and its' programs and the sport of skating in general.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to the Club/Skating School

To accurately represent one's technical, educational and professional credentials and resume.
To accept personal responsibility for providing and delivering coaching services in a professional manner.
To help ensure that a positive learning environment is maintained in the club.
To negotiate coaching contracts in good faith and honour their terms.
To treat members of the club with respect and fairness.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to Professional Colleagues

To strive to create and maintain cooperative relationships with coaching colleagues for the purpose of ensuring a positive skating environment.
To avoid criticizing another coach's teaching methods, techniques and/or opinions unless done so with the coach's knowledge or permission.
To respect the fact that a coach becomes the base coach of a skating student from the moment that a skater contracts the services of that coach, whether individually or in a group situation, and that other coaches must initiate discussion about a skater's training only through the base coach.
To respect a coach/skater and/or parent/s' relationship and not solicit or cause to be solicited, directly or indirectly, or through a third party the skater/s of another coach.
To pursue the following course of conduct in the event that any of the following or similar situations occur:
1. To communicate clear, precise guidelines or parameters to a coaching colleague whose services one wishes to retain on a temporary or permanent basis to assist, supplement or replace one's services currently being rendered and to communicate these parameters to the skater and/or parent/s.
2. To obtain authorization and clear, precise instructions from a coaching colleague as to what the coach wishes to be done with the skater in the absence of the coach or agreed upon team coaching situation and do nothing to undermine the base coach/skater and/or parent/s' relationship.
3. To immediately advise a coaching colleague and seek confirmation from that coach that all undisputed coaching and/or related skating bills are paid or arranged to be paid to the reasonable satisfaction of the coach and/or club upon being approached by a skater and/or parent/s who request to contract your services. This is to ensure that the proper procedure occurs when taking on a new skater as a student. The parent should have discussed the situation with the previous coach and informed him/her of the change to the new coach. All bills should have been paid to the former coach prior to coaching a new student.

download Coaches' Code of Ethics