When It's Time To Say Goodbye - Ice Skating Resources

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When It’s Time To Say Goodbye
PS Magazine September/October 2007
I have to say I am getting quite good at spewing
out all of the problems in our sport, but I think it
is time for me to put my money where my mouth
is. It is time to start talking about how we are going
to change… how we are going to improve our
image and ourselves!
One of the issues that consistently comes up in
our lives, and I am frequently questioned about, is
what happens when we gain or lose a student.
Here is a portion of an e-mail received at PSA:
"… Could you please clarify an ethical situation
for me: I was approached by a parent to coach her
skater. They are no longer taking lessons from a
previous coach. I spoke with her and she says they
have an outstanding bill yet to pay.
My understanding is that I must wait until this
is paid prior to starting lessons. There also seems
to be some controversy over some charges. What is
my role in all this Your website says: Prior to acting
as a coach the member shall determine the nature
and extent of any earlier teaching relationship
with that skater and other members. However, I
don’t see any guidelines regarding the financial
part. Can you please help me follow the correct
procedure"
The issue is one of professionalism and not
automatically one of ethics. Our tenants of professionalism
dictate how we wish to act with each
other within our coaching community. Teaching a
new client before his or her final bill is paid is not
necessarily a breach of the PSA’s code of ethics,
but a behavior referred to in some PSA communications
as unprofessional.
Regardless of the PSA’s interpretation, your
peers alone could determine this to be unprofessional,
which would not only create tension in the
rink, but undermine your credibility as well. Your
reputation will be tarnished and regaining the
trust of the other coaches in the rink will be a time
consuming act.
I believe the best way to handle this issue is to
open a dialogue with the previous coach to work
out a compromise. Obviously, the controversial
charges will be the question that needs to be answered.
A coach who keeps immaculate records of lesson
times, bills regularly, and doesn’t allow balances
to get too high, will be in a much better position
to collect his or her final payment.
When a former coach gives an invoice to a parent
for $1000, how many can pay that off in one
chunk For a coach who charges $60 an hour,
$1000 represents 16 hours of lessons. Three lessons
a week could mean that the coach hadn’t
billed in 4 months.
How accurate is that statement going to be
Did the skater show up for all the lessons Did the
coach show up for all the lessons (Here’s a hint.
Check with the rink and ask for copies of the attendance
forms. Most rinks know who is on the
ice.)
Another issue is the coach who provides services
such as editing music, etc and doesn’t
charge…until the skater leaves them. I received
one letter where coaches were teaching a skater for
“free.” When the skater decided to move on, the
family was given a bill for $6000!
Motivational speaker Brian Dodge says, “People
presume that because dishonesty often brings
short-term advantages, it does not have long-term
consequences; but time always tells the truth.”
If you are the coach on the losing end of this
arrangement, please think of your own image in
the eyes of your peers. Your actions will scream
loudly if you act childishly. Losing a skater is never
fun; our pride takes a hit and we feel all eyes are
upon us.
The truth of the matter is that we all lose students.
In fact, how many times did you change
coaches as an amateur As a young man, I was

very hurt personally by a coach I left who called me
a has-been from the day I left until I finally said
something to her only a few years ago.
Is it the child’s fault or the new coach’s fault
that the parents have terminated your services
Why make a thorny situation worse by being difficult
We promote and teach sportsmanship; be a
good sport!
To prevent much of this from transpiring, a
good idea is to have a written policy regarding your
lesson fee structure, payment procedures, missed
lessons and in the event of a parting of the ways, a
termination policy.
A termination policy could be worded to include
that all balances must be paid before beginning
with a new professional. Another clause could be
to include the option of an independent arbitrator
for disputed charges.
You should have a signed copy of the policies
from the parents. This will help you in the recovery
of payment for services. It’s also cheaper than going
to court or using a collection agency.
In reference to any one of the examples in this
editorial, here’s a closing thought: assume that you
will be teaching in your arena, as will the other
coach, for years to come.
Your relationship with your fellow coaches will
span an extensive period of time. The students
come and go. The actions you take will have consequences
either way.
“Try not to become a person of success but
a person of value.”
Albert Einstein 1875-1955)