The Coaches: Kathy McLlwain

Retired since September after 29 years of coaching figure skating, Kathy McLlwain now coaches power skating for high performance ice sports.

McLlwain tells us coaching has been a life long passion.

McLlwain says coaching has given her so much – which she in turn has given back to her athletes.

McLlwain points out athletics is a total body package. It’s physical and it also mindful.

As for anyone who’s interested in a coaching career McLlwain has some advice.

Leadership, time management and perseverance are also part of the coaching and learning experience for athletes.

After almost three decades as an accomplished figure skating coach, we asked
McLlwain about what she remembers most.

Internationally, McLlwain coached in Finland for a year taking a team to the Worlds and won a national championship.

At home, McLlwain coached five synchronized skating teams in Exeter. One of her adult teams one a Canadian championship. One of her junior teams went to the Ontario and Canadian Winter games.

In hockey, McLlwain worked for the Sarnia Sting for four years and is now with the Windsor Spitfires.

McLlwain says bottom line even coaches need a team.

McLlwain says equally important as a coach and an athlete is having fun. She also says never lose sight of your dreams.

To hear more from Kathy, you can hear her full interview below:

Written by: J. Brenner