Meet Our Coaches!

All of our coaches are trained and certified through the NCCP, in accordance with Skate Canada rules.

For StarSkate sessions where coaching is not included, skaters are responsible for arranging their own lessons with coaches and remitting payment directly to coaches for those lessons in addition to paying the Club for ice usage.

Coaches must hold appropriate credentials and be "in good standing" to coach on StarSkate sessions and all guest coaching must be approved by the board.

Skaters must be registered for StarSkate Open Ice sessions or must purchase a Guest Skating ticket to participate on our Open Ice time.

Coach Emily

My name is Emily, and I am available to coach CanSkate in French and English. I am an NCCP Certified CanSkate Coach and have been coaching since 2017. I enjoy coaching skating lessons and helping my students learn and develop this sport to their highest potential. I believe in fostering a fun and safe learning environment where skaters can be themselves, form memorable experiences, and learn from their mistakes and achievements.

CanSkate is a great program for beginner skaters of any age who are seeking to develop their skating skills, be physically active, and enjoy a fun experience. Once skaters complete the CanSkate program, they can progress to other ice-skating sports such as hockey, figure skating, speed skating and ringette. It is rewarding to see skaters develop and gain confidence on the ice. My goal is to bring out the best in each skater and lay a solid foundation for them in this lifelong sport. If you have any questions about skating, please do not hesitate to contact me at skatingcoachemily@gmail.com.

Coach Laurie

Much of my early years on the ice was spent in my hometown of Sudbury as a skater, program assistant and coach. I've been in the area for nearly 15 years and enjoy our rural home setting with my husband and daughters.

I have achieved my gold tests in skills and dance, and competed as a member of a synchronized skating team for 5+ years. I have worked with new skaters (both young and young-at-heart), figure skaters and hockey players, with an eye for improving efficiency of movement and power.

Through coaching, I hope to share my love of the sport with athletes of all ages and abilities. I strive to use clear communications to foster a safe and fun learning environment where skaters, regardless of their starting point, can acquire the technical skills to meet their skating goals and the practical skills to participate in sports throughout their lives. Everyone who comes to the rink deserves honesty, fairness and accountability, so I continually bring these qualities to my own lessons and all of my interactions on and off the ice.

As a certified Regional coach, I coach CanSkate and StarSkate with our Club and continue to work towards my Provincial coaching qualifications. You are also likely to see me helping out in various capacities for the Club as Vice President.

I am fluently bilingual (English and French) and can be reached at annalauriedonaldson@gmail.com

Coach Melissa

Melissa Sargent is Provincial Coach (Trained) and has been coaching since 2004, having joined Almonte Carleton Place Skating Club in 2019. Melissa is Special Olympics trained and has had the privilege of working with skaters of all ages and levels from first steps to National level competitors and age 2 to in their 70s.

She participated in coaching the Star 1-5 pilot program and has enjoyed mentoring new CanSkate and Regional coaches within the club as they start their coaching journey. Melissa attends seminars, information sessions and completes Skate Canada’s e-learning courses to stay up to date on the newest techniques and requirements. Some of her favourite seminars include Kurt Browning, Elizabeth Manley and Don Jackson.

As a skater Melissa completed her Gold Artistic, Skills, Dance and FreeSkate Elements. She returned to competing at both Skate Canada and ISU Adult Figure Skating Competitions in Fall 2022 including the opportunity to represent Canada in Oberstdorf, Germany in May 2024. Melissa was the 2024 Skate Ontario Adult Championship silver medallist in all 3 disciplines – FreeSkate, Artistic and Solo Dance.

Outside of skating Melissa is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Honours Bachelor of Commerce programs. She is an Ontario Chartered Professional Accountant working as a manager at a private consulting and bookkeeping company focused on Not-For-Profit organizations and rural hospitals.

Melissa will be coaching all levels on Monday evenings this season. Melissa can be reached by email at: mssargen@gmail.com

Coach Natasha

My name is Natasha Peterson, and I have been a Skate Canada Skating Coach since 2001. I am currently CanPower Certified, CanSkate and Primary Starskate Certified (Level 1), and NCCP Intermediate StarSkate trained (Level 2). I also am up to date on my first aid, regular coaching requirements, and am an active member of the Almonte and Carleton Place Executive. My education includes a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Law Clerk diploma.

Skating is such an amazing sport, and I believe it offers something for every type of athlete. Whether the athlete is there to: learn-to-skate, to improve their figure skating, or to build on their skating skills for hockey, or just for some exercise, skating can suit a variety of athletes. Skating can also be modified for athletes who like to work both independently, and as a team.

As a skating coach, I believe in coming prepared with fun, safe and challenging lessons for all ages and abilities, to help each athlete reach their full potential in the direction they wish their skating goals to take them. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have about skating.

I look forward to hearing from you. Natasha.peterson2011@gmail.com