NCCP Level: 4
Number of Years Coaching: 28
Disciplines of Expertise:
Singles, Base Coach, Choreography, Speaking, Dartfish
Biography:
Michelle has been coaching for 29 years.
She is available as a “Base Coach” for skaters from beginner to Olympics
and Is a Dartfish Specialist and Trainer.
Speaker for:
*2010 Vancouver Olympic Excellence Series
*Petro Canada Sport Leadership National Event
*Women In Coaching
* Numerous Groups and Clubs
Committees
* Canada Games Board of Directors Federal Appointee
* LATD (Long Term Athlete Development) Steering Committee
* Coaching Association of Canada Coaching Effectiveness Steering Committee
* Skate Canada’s National Coach Mentoring Program
* NCCP Presentor
Professional Accomplishments:
- Coached Canadian Champion, World Champion, and Olympic Silver Medallist Elvis Stojko
- Coached two-time World Bronze Medallist Takeshi Honda (JPN)
- Coached six-time Canadian Champion Jennifer Robinson
- Other Students include: Jeff Langdon, Ben Ferreira, Steven Cousins (GBR), Oula Jaaskelainen (FIN), Peter Johannson (SWE), Alice Sue Claeys (BEL), Helen Persson (SWE), Jan Erik Degernes (NOR), Miriam Manzano (AUS), and YuNa Kim (KOR)
- 1977 Canadian Novice Bronze Medallist of Canada
- Has coached at 3 Olympic games: Albertville (1992), Nagano (1998), and Salt Lake City (2002)
- Coached athletes at 14 World Championships
- Coached athletes at 25 Canadian Championships and numerous US and Japanese Championships
- Coached skaters at over 55 international events
- Coached at 4 European Championships
- Coached athletes, coaches and parents from 20 Countries: Canada, United States, France, Turkey, Austria, Australia, England, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Russia, China, South Africa, Korea, Norway, Belgium and Singapore
Awards:
- 1998 Ontario Female Coach of the Year
- Skate Canada Coaching Award of Excellence
“Michelle has the ability to keep things positive no matter what is going on around us.
Her energy and attitude is what makes the difference when working with her and
she keeps things in perspective. The positive energy she puts into the task is what is seen
in the final product”
Elvis Stojko-3 Time World Champion, 2 Time Olympic Silver Medalist
“Figure skating coach is not for the faint of heart and Michelle Leigh has demonstrated
the intelligence and toughness to go the distance. She is skilled at communicating what
it takes to succeed in an entertaining fashion with a great sense of humor.”
Randy Starkman, Award winning veteran of 10 Olympic Games