Coaches
Our skating club coaches are passionate, skilled professionals dedicated to helping skaters of all levels achieve their goals. With a focus on building strong foundations, improving technique, and fostering a love for the sport, our coaches create a supportive and motivating environment for all athletes. Their expertise and commitment play a key role in the success and growth of our skaters.
Our Coaches
Maddie Bard
My name is Maddie Bard. I started in WTSC’s own CanSkate program at four years old. I completely fell in love with the sport and haven’t stopped skating since. I have been coaching CanSkate at WTSC since 2019. I am a Skate Canada Regional STARSkate coach and coach CanSkate and STARSkate. I have completed my Gold Skill and Artistic. I am currently studying at university to earn my bachelors degree in Youth and Children’s Studies and plan to become a teacher. I am looking forward to helping young skaters grow their passion for skating!
Kathy Jankowski-Slegers
As a coach with Waterford Skating Club I look forward to taking on new students and helping them achieve their goals. As a Skate Canada Nationally Trained Professional Coach with 40 yrs experience, I enjoy & have extensive experience working with all ages & abilities, from Learn to Skate – Gold Level, including Adults and Hockey Players up to NHL. I am proud to say I have over 80 Skate Canada Gold Medalists: Figures, Free Skate, Dance, Artistic, Interpretive & Skills. As a Skater representing Port Dover Skating Club I competed Internationally & won many medals & placed 6th & 8th at Nationals (Professional) then joined Delhi Precision (Synchro) Team where we became International Champions. Also I had the opportunity to perform solo at Maple Leaf Gardens twice at AHL Toronto Marlies game and V.I.C.K.Y. show which was a benefit for visually impaired skaters.
Lastly I am very proud of my daughter Sophia who became a Skate Canada Quintuple Gold Medalist and for having the courage to skate with me to achieve our Skate Canada Couples Gold Interpretive. Sophia has also taken her first steps to coaching after volunteer coaching for many years.
Looking forward to a successful year. Private lessons are available by email.
Lynda Thompson
I’m Lynda Thompson and this is my third year coaching in Waterford. For the past 25 years, I have coached at the Hamilton Skating Club, but moved out Selkirk four years ago. I have worked with all levels of skaters, from Canskate to Adult skaters to National Competitors. I am truly enjoying my connection with the Waterford Skating Club and its members.
Teresa Westergaard-Hager
Sport is an important aspect to everyone’s overall health and happiness. My home was in the Orangeville area where I began to skate at the age of 5. As I progressed through the learn to skate program and began taking private lessons, I gravitated to train year round in the Mississauga, Brampton, and Toronto areas, following my coach. I had the pleasure of working with many international level mentors and coaches to attain my own Gold level tests and to support my competitive career. After my own skating was winding down, I enjoyed two seasons skating with the University of Guelph varsity figure skating team, the first season being the very first time there was a varsity figure skating team.
I began as a professional figure skating coach in 1987, teaching in several clubs throughout southern and central Ontario, and enjoy a collaborative, team approach to coaching. I am fortunate enough to be able to teach skaters from 3 years old to adult skaters, from beginners to national level competitors. I am an NCCP coach, Regional and Provincial certified, with one remaining portion for a National Trained certification, and maintain my qualifications and update my training with Skate Canada regularly.
I believe in life long learning from a wide variety of sources, tapping into other coaching styles, feedback from colleagues, sharing of ideas, on-line and in person courses and participation in workshops, clinics, other sports and training that is supportive of my craft. I enjoy being a part of a skater’s journey in the sport of figure skating, wherever the path leads. A large part of my work is dedicated to help with goal setting, yearly planning, organizing on and off ice activities that support these goals, as well as ensuring high quality technical coaching. Communication is a large part of relationships, and I work hard to ensure I am available to families, to support them to develop a well-rounded skater and individual. I pay particular attention to the learning styles of my skaters, adapting to their needs and personal goals. I feel fortunate to have found work where I can share my knowledge and love for the sport with those that share a mutual interest.
Holly Kingston
Hello, my name is Holly Kingston. Skating has always been my passion and my happy place. I grew up on the ice in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from a young age of 3. Learning to skate on our neighborhood river, the lake at our cottage and the many backyard ice rinks I begged my dad to install. I started taking skating lessons through CanSkate at the age of 4 and began figure skating and playing Ringette at the age of 5. My true passion was playing Ringette and I played competitively in Cole Harbour, NS (home of Sydney Crosby) from the age of 7-17 winning many provincial and maritime tournaments with my team.
Coaching has always been my obvious next step as I thoroughly enjoy interacting with and teaching children and volunteer work has always been a big part of my life. I moved to Waterford in 2021 and began volunteering with CanSkate in the fall of 2022. I enrolled and completed my coaches training over the winter of 2023 and began coaching in Waterford in the spring/summer of 2023.
I’m looking forward to what more I can bring to the Waterford skating community in the upcoming years ahead.
Amberlynn Becker
I am new to coaching training to be a CanSkate coach. I have volunteered as a PA for 7 years. I have been skating since the age of 3. I hope to achieve my gold tests in skills, dance and artistic. I also skate competitively with Edge Synchro at Oakville Skating Club. In 2024 with my team we won bronze at nationals.
I look forward to many years with WTSC. I want to teach skaters how to skate and to love the sport like I do.
Kelly Kokus
I began skating at the age of 5 and continue to do so today. I have recently completed the CanSkate coaching training and look forward to teaching CanSkate this year and sharing my passion for the ice with young skaters.