Club Rules & Code of Conduct
General guidelines for safe skating sessions
- Keep moving.
- Look both ways when leaving the boards.
- Do not linger in the jumping lanes.
- Socializing with fellow skaters is best done off the ice before or after sessions and not on the ice. Arrive on time for your sessions allowing time to warm up and stretch prior to stepping on the ice to prevent injuries.
Skater Conduct and Etiquette: On and Off Ice
- Treat the employees and visitors of the Killarney Community Centre or other facilities with respect.
- Be courteous to other skaters, coaches, judges, parents, rink employees and visitors at all times. Expect the same in return.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- Due to Skate Canada insurance requirements, only registered Skate Canada members are permitted on the ice, except in a medical emergency.
- Skaters may not "skate up" or "skate down" on any session unless they have received prior approval from the Skating Director.
- Show consideration for coaches and other skaters involved in lessons during a session. A private lesson should not be interrupted by another skater or any other person unless there is an emergency. Please respect the coach and skaters' time. Please contact your coach with any questions or concerns or to arrange a meeting to discuss skating development.
- Promote the well being of fellow skaters by positive encouragement or by reporting any unhealthy or dangerous conduct to coaches or parents.
- No food or gum should be taken on the ice. Plastic or aluminum water bottles are acceptable but must be left at the boards. Glass bottles are not permitted.
- Spectators, including parents of skaters, are encouraged to watch quietly from the viewing areas and to refrain from conversing with or offering directions to the skaters on the ice.
- All skaters on a session not receiving a lesson must patch the ice at the end of each session prior to clearing the ice.
- Ice Etiquette: The following right-of-way order is to ensure the safety of all skaters and coaches on the ice and is in effect during all club sessions:
• 1st Priority: Skater skating his or her program with music.
• 2nd Priority: Skater in a coached lesson.
• 3rd Priority: Skater in a spin or jump entrance. - It is common etiquette to make extra effort to stay out of the way of priority skaters, however, you do not have to stop skating and stand at the boards.
- It is important to be aware and cautious, and considerate of other skaters. Be especially aware that there may be different levels of skaters sharing the ice at the same time and that neither is more important than the other.
- Profane, abusive, disruptive, inappropriate or disrespectful language, gestures or actions during on ice or off ice sessions will not be tolerated. Disrespect of fellow skaters, coaches, administrators, Board members or arena staff will not be tolerated.
- Prolonged sitting on the ice after a fall is prohibited. Kicking or digging at the ice surface with skate blades is prohibited.
Parent Etiquette
Parents/guardians are encouraged to enjoy their children's skating in the comfort and warmth of the stands. For your safety, parents/guardians are not allowed to stand on the edge of the ice or sit in the hockey boxes. No one, except coaches, may be on the ice without skates on.
- All skaters, coaches, and parents/guardians must strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere. Celebrate all of our skaters' successes, and, in challenging times, be quick to offer encouragement and a positive outlook.
- All members are to set a good example for new or prospective members and guests of our rink. Please be friendly and welcoming, and kindly assist those who may be unfamiliar with our facility and policies.
- While figure skating is a beautiful sport, it is also quite challenging, and at times can be downright frustrating! An essential element of any athlete's development is learning how to productively manage negative emotions. Therefore, negative or disrespectful comments, profanity, and/or disruptive behaviour (including, but not limited to, yelling, kicking the ice or the boards, banging on the glass) will not be tolerated from anyone, on the ice, off the ice, and/or at competitions and events.
- Verbal and/or physical abuse of any skater, parent/guardian, coach, volunteer, or rink staff member will never be tolerated.
- Parents/guardians are asked to refrain from coaching or offering instruction to their children during practices. Skaters and coaches find this distracting, and your instruction may conflict with the coach's, thus confusing the skater. If you are concerned about your child's practice habits, please discuss the situation with your child's coach. He/she may be able to offer more productive and less distracting ways for you to encourage your child and keep him/her on task
- Coaching outside of the club is not permitted without permission from the KCFSC Skating Director
Coach Rules & Professional Expectations
Killarney Skating Club expects all coaches to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful and ethical manner consistent with Skate Canada requirements. Coaches are expected to:
- Put the safety, development and well-being of skaters first.
- Provide coaching in a safe, professional and respectful manner.
- Maintain current Skate Canada coaching requirements and Coaching in Good Standing status.
- Follow Skate Canada Safe Sport policies and the Rule of Two.
- Treat all skaters, parents, coaches, volunteers and Club representatives with respect.
- Create a positive learning environment that encourages effort, development and enjoyment.
- Provide appropriate instruction and feedback based on the skater's needs and development.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with skaters and families.
- Respect the coach/skater relationship of other coaches.
- Not intentionally solicit or recruit another coach's skater.
- Respond professionally when athletes or parents approach them with questions about their coaching services, qualifications or philosophy.
- Work cooperatively with other Club coaches, the board and club volunteers and support a consistent and positive coaching environment.
- Respect and follow Club policies and reasonable directions from the Board and Skating Director.
- Meet the responsibilities and deadlines outlined in their coaching agreement.
- Communicate appropriately with the Skating Director and/or designated Club contact regarding skater progress, concerns and programming.
- Make reasonable efforts to arrange an appropriate replacement when unable to attend a scheduled session and notify the appropriate Club representative as soon as possible.
- Assist in maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere on Club sessions and events.
- Address rule violations respectfully when they are observed.
- Act as positive role models for skaters.
Professional Conduct
Unprofessional, abusive, threatening or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.
This includes yelling, aggressive arguments, inappropriate language, intimidation or conduct that negatively affects the safety or reputation of the Club or the experience of its members.
Coaches are expected to address disagreements professionally and through the appropriate Club channels.
Health & Safety
The safety and well-being of our skaters, coaches, volunteers, and families is a priority at Killarney Skating Club. We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable participating in our programs.
SafeSport – Rule of Two
Killarney Skating Club follows Skate Canada’s SafeSport Rule of Two. In all dressing rooms and private areas, there must be at least two responsible individuals present, and at no time should an adult over the age of 18 be alone with a minor.
Coaches, volunteers, skaters, and families are expected to respect these requirements and help create an environment where appropriate boundaries are maintained at all times.
Respectful Environment
We expect all members of our skating community to treat one another with respect, courtesy, and professionalism. This includes skaters, parents and guardians, coaches, volunteers, Board members, and rink staff.
Concerns, disagreements, or conflicts can arise in any community. We encourage concerns to be addressed respectfully and promptly, with the goal of finding a constructive resolution.
Raising a Concern
If you have a health and safety concern, experience an issue involving a member of our skating community, or are unsure how to address a conflict, please reach out to the Killarney Skating Club Board of Directors.
We encourage members to bring concerns forward rather than allowing them to go unresolved. The Board will review concerns appropriately and, where necessary, take steps to address them in accordance with Club and Skate Canada policies.
Your safety, well-being, and positive skating experience matter to us.
Club Rules, Etiquette & Code of Conduct
Creating a Safe, Respectful and Positive Skating Community
Killarney Skating Club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, respectful and positive environment where skaters of all ages and abilities can learn, develop and enjoy the sport of skating.
As a community-based, volunteer-run, non-profit club, we rely on the cooperation and support of our skaters, parents and guardians, coaches, volunteers and Board members to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.
Our expectations are guided by the principles and policies of Skate Canada, including the Skate Canada Code of Ethics, Safe Sport policies and applicable conduct requirements. All members are expected to understand and follow the policies of both Skate Canada and Killarney Skating Club.
Killarney Skating Club - Club Rules, Etiquette & Code of Conduct

