Sackville coach the 'best of the best'

Local skating coach Nicole Dupuis finds her job immensely rewarding, so she was humbled to be one of seven Canadian coaches recognized last month for their outstanding work teaching children how to skate.

"Nicole won The Best of the Best award. This is the first year this was offered for coaches from all across Canada who do our learn to skate program called CanSkate," explained Jill Knowles, Skate Canada Nova Scotia's executive director.

"It shows the dedication that our coaches put into all levels of skating, including the CanSkate program. They don't just do it as a job, they do it with passion."

Dupuis teaches in the CanSkate program at the Sackville Skating Club out of the Sackville Sports Stadium. Before the Bedford resident started coaching 10 years ago, she volunteered as a program assistant during local CanSkate sessions.

'Wonderful feeling'

"I enjoyed it as a volunteer, but when I got certified and could make money doing something I love to do, it was wonderful," she said. "When you see someone step on the ice and barely move, and then by the end they can skate around the rink, that's a wonderful feeling."

For Dupuis, it's especially rewarding to watch the preschoolers progress through the program.

"They literally crawl on the ice (at first). To see them go from that to skating is just great," she said.

In February, Dupuis learned she was among Canada's Top 20 under consideration for the national award.

She was then required to submit a DVD featuring her CanSkate sessions and other details that would help the judges whittle down their final selections.

In April, she learned she was among seven coaches being recognized nationwide.

"It's rewarding to be selected for something like that when it's something I enjoy already," Dupuis said.

In addition to receiving a national award, Dupuis and the six other award winners participated in a national Skate Canada coaches conference in Regina from May 28 to 31.

They also worked on a collaborative video that will be used for CanSkate training purposes in the future.

"This award shows that we're doing a good job. Although I feel we're doing a good job, sometimes it's nice to be recognized," Dupuis said.

Benefits the club

"As much as it benefits me, it benefits the club because it shows our program is a good one and it justifies what we already felt."

Of the seven coaches from across Canada selected for the award, two were Nova Scotians. Cheryle Gaston from the Greenwood Skating Club also received the honour.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca