Can Anyone Confirm--Kerry Leitch removed As Skating Director At JP Igloo?

[Lenny2]

We have heard from several sources that Kerry Leitch has been removed as the skating director at JP Igloo in Ellenton, Florida, and is now just a coach on the staff there. Can anyone confirm whether or not this is true? There are so many rumors that surround that facility that you never know what to believe. Please confirm or deny if you have accurate information. Thanks

[JustDoIt]

Of course this is wrong! Kerry Leitch is Director of Figure Skating at JP Igloo. He is no longer Facility Director. The new co-owner is now general manager/facility director and will run the rink so Kerry can finally do the job he agreed to when he moved to Florida five years ago! He is quite happy with this change and the figure skaters are excited that he can now concentrate all of his time and energy on making the figure skating program bigger and better than ever!

I would also encourage you to contact Kerry Leitch directly at J.P. Igloo at 941-723-3663 if you ever have any questions about him or his program. You will find Kerry to be very forthright, open and honest. He would be happy to address any and all of your questions.

[Lenny2]

Thank you for clearing this up. Once again, rumors have gone wild! This makes much more sense.

[Skatewind]

Does bigger & better than ever mean more USFSA banned coaches invited to participate in teaching and/or camps, or does it mean coaches teaching children will be thoroughly screened & proper credentialed?

[celtic]

My thoughts exactly, Skatewind. When I read the publicity blurb for Leitch I wondered who wrote it! It makes no mention of his hiring banned coaches to give lessons and receive star billing on Igloo's website!

[celtic]

I also wonder if several concerned parents called the listed number how honest, forthright and caring he would be if we brought up the matter of the banned coach! If he were truly forthright, he might consider providing full background info on these so-called "celebrity coaches".

[JustDoIt]

Again, call Kerry Leitch directly for an anwer to your questions and concerns. He would be only to happy to speak with you directly.

[Haikurumba]

Kerry once coached me
Watched him hit a male skater
Watched him slap one more

Legal Proceedings
Soon came to Kerry's doorstep
I did not go back

In this day and age
A coach should never do this
It is just plain wrong

Too many skaters
Too many horror stories
I don't need to call

[stepfordmom]

our child's coach was Mr. Leitch
going to the olympics
or at least nationals
as parents we were glorified the first week
after that never spoken to
unless of course we had a bill

I was just told to call
so when I did I was left feeling ill
because of course I was in the way
just leave it to me you stupid mom
be perfect and be quiet
when I did look who got hurt

but it's o.k. because he's strict
and can be hard we won
my child is alright
is now a shrink

[Skatewind]

Again, call Kerry Leitch directly for an anwer to your questions and concerns. He would be only to happy to speak with you directly.
I'm not sure why anyone needs to call Kerry Leitch about anything when such information about coaches should be open & available to the skaters & parents who are the customers when it comes to figure skating programs at the rink. Consumers receive truth in lending notices from credit card companies, recall information from car dealers, etc., yet they're not eligible for the same type of applicable disclosure information when a coach with a documented problem is working with their children.

[blades]

8-)

o.k...where's rod sterling???...i know he's around this thread somewhere... :roll:

as for leitch...got a long line girls with eating disorders in his wake...the dude is charming and gets results...but the cost is far too great...would never let him near any kid of mine...

[CanuckSk8r]

Just out of curiousity.... it's ben years since Mr. Leitch has produced anyone worth writing home about. Atleast in Canada.

My honest opinion, he has been around in the skating world for years, parents should be doing their research before entrusting someone with their child. Not just in his case, but always. Mr. Leitch leaves quite the confusion in his wake and a lot of sick little girls with eating disorders and absolutely no self confidence.

To be rather blunt about it...... when a coach tells you to stay away from your child and to not be involved, this should raise some concern. No matter how sugar coated and perfect he lays it all out.

There are plenty of people that strongly dislike Mr. Leitch and pay attention to his past, and there are a lot of people who think that he the best thing since sliced bread and he will in fact make their child an Olympian. There is nothing that can be said or done to change either sides' opinion. You can't make someone see what they don't want to. Sitting down and being mean to eachother, creating and enforcing the division of sides, is exactly the type of behaviour that Mr. Leitch likes to see. Honestly, I don't think he is worth the effort.

[sunsk8r]

Hello, I have joined just now to help people feel better with this discussion. I know Mr. Leitch doesn't read this, but old and new parents do read this and mention this forum.
I have a skater at the Igloo.
I have for enough years now to be vocal with an opinion. That narrows the guessing down! I have seen Mr. Leitch at his worst and at his best. With me, my skater, and others. Enough to leave? YES. Why haven't we?.......For many reasons.

I am not agreeing to the fact that he has let Gordie in last year or this year. I wish he wasn't coming here. But I have the utmost respect for Mr. Leitch anyway, no matter what has happened in the past, or this decision about Gordie. Mr. L is not a God, nor perfect.
And you can trust Mr. L., I believe he would have Gordie arrested himself if anything would even start to happen.. And Gordie knows that. Gordie will not try anything with Kerry's kids. He cannot possibly be that stupid or that pediaphelic. And besides he is there for all of three days. I would have preferred to see a different coach. But the camp goes by so fast and Gordie doesn't stay for the show or the rehersals. And doesn't hang around. All parents saw this last year. We all watched for it!!! Most of the kids think he's a little wierd. So Gordie took care of that himself.

Mr. Leitch and myself have had our differences. Like all parents have! My family and my skater have talked about finding another coach at the worst of times. We have worked out differences. I haven't left my wonderful husband on his bad days either(that doesn't mean my husband has ever been violent). My skater has learned some great lessons about life through experiences with Mr. Leitch. I have suffered through Mr. L'S worst times, but waited it out like a bad storm. Only to see the sun shine again! It is not easy I don't profess he is an easy character to get along with!

My skater has been repremanded with sharp tongue. (no foul language) Never has he laid a hand on my skater. Nor will he. Maybe he has to other children. That is true, he is old school and he made a mistake there. Yes... He has been unfair and very fair. I have seen like I said very hard times and kids that have come and gone. All really nice kids, too. It has been rough on a few of these kids. And I feel for all of them. They have left and all I am sure are better off elsewhere.

He has a notoriuos rep, we knew that. We did not come here to see Olympic Gold nor has he or his wife professed to make anyone even regional gold. Final round is a tough enough goal!!! That is not part of our skating. And don't anyone think that these people at the Igloo are all after Olympic Gold in some dilutional way. Now maybe he has a pairs team or two or a few kids that will make it and you will probably, if the ball bounces right, see some of those kids at an Olympics or Nationals with or without Kerry Leitch. He talks about goals, sets schedules, and tries to do his best. As he expects the coaches and kids to do their best.

He will answer your questions. And may get angry but he will not hit you or molest you.(yuk)LOL..;) :roll: He will say things you may not want to hear. He can be brutal. Yet he can be really caring and nice.

If you want a sweet young BOPPY skating coach with everything sweetness, pretty and roses, and who will never utter a wrong word to parents, be afraid of parents, respect you to your face at all times, the paying customer, don't take from Kerry Leitch.. Please go to another or make a different choice on a coach. He takes your money and tells you what to do, and occasionally where to go! This is true. And I have been furious, at times. We spend alot of money there. But I have enough respect for him to stay. Not all people do, and, yes, at times I have questioned that respect. I have checked out options and questioned my skaters decision to stay. YOU are free to go if you want.

What makes people think he tries to divide his skaters? Did this happen in Canada? It is not happening here. Team is everything. And these kids love eachother. It is an incredible bond that goes on here. Please understand that my skater's decision has alot to do with the love my skater has towards her teammates. There are some riffs going on but not as bad as our options!!!! Yes teammates, in this individualized sport.

He is actually much more relaxed now, thank God, that he is not general manager. He took that job, in my humble opinion, way too seriously.

He was rough in Canada. And for his roughness he will tell you, I know I have heard him talk about it, he is sorry for some of it.
He did get way to uptight last year, but he has less kids, and has more time for golf now, too! And for the kids that have stayed.
He will never win a most loved person award...and he will always be gruff. And now that he is in a better mood doesn't repair any damage done in the past. I know this.

He may not have produced anybody of great skating talent in a long while and that may continue. National Junior Pair champs is a small comeback. And small price to pay for his mistakes.
My skater will not be Olympic or even National.

If it is a mistake that Gordie is coming it is going to happen at this point. Please understand that all people understand at this rink that Gordie is in trouble. And banned. Even if they don't know what banned means. Nobody likes the bad publicity. Some may have left over this. I do believe not very many girls are even listed for private lessons. My skater is not listed. But I do not have the list, just 'mums' hearsay. It is all ugly and we all know it.

I wish that Gordie would call up and say he can't come.

Those unhappy have left. Maybe more will leave. My skater has benefitted from his disipline. My skater is a very healthy, goal orientated, intelligent straight A honors student at a regular school.. Maybe this is very hard on me at times. That is for sure. I look at this in the big picture. What I have to go on is what is now and happening to my kid. And what is good for us.
Which doesn't work for all.

I am sorry for the people that have had a bad time with Mr. Leitch. I am sorry for the mum friends I don't have anymore, because they left. I am sorry for my hard times with him. I feel bad that this forum isn't all rosey about a great coach , because he has made mistakes. I am sorry for alot of things in life and the world. I am not sorry that we live here, love it here in Florida and skate here with one of the toughest coaches in the Universe.
I am not sorry for how wonderful my skater is turning out first as a person. And secondly as a good skater. Thanks to my skaters up bringing and Mr. Leitch.

[CanuckSk8r]

sunsk8r...... kudos to you for an extremely well written post. You seem to be an extremely involved and knowledgable person in your skaters' life. I think that is awesome you have done your research and you have your eyes wide open in the situation. Well done!! I wish that many more people would do the same.
I don't doubt that people can change and I hope for the best and hope Mr. Leitch can too. I hope that your skater continues to delevlop so well both in skating and as a person.... most of all, I hope that your skater realizes how fortune he is to have you to watch over him too. I don't doubt that Mr. Leitch has influenced, but I think that you are forgetting to give yourself credit as well.
In Canada, Mr. Leitch has burned a lot of bridges and hurt a lot of people. Maybe he learned his lesson, maybe he has backed off, maybe it's just a temporary transition to rebuild his "character". One may never know.

In the meantime though, it is such a releif to hear that not everyone is ignoring his past and the questionable behaviour it entailed.

[WeBeEducated]

That is a very interesting and perplexing post from an Igloo parent.
After reading it I get the message loud and clear that Kerry is difficult, often rude, and careless with others feelings.
What I still dont get is why anyone would choose to stay with him. What are the reasons for staying there?
I dont see anything listed that balances out the bad!
All I am reading is that yes, Leitch deserves his bad reputation for unprofessional behaviour on many days, and yes, they plan on sticking with him because sometimes he is "fair" on the days he isnt being "unfair"????
That's the tradeoff? For children?!

Children do in fact get accustomed to friends at a rink and feel a bond with them, but is that a good enough reason to knowingly place them in an activity with a man who seeks relationships with minors?
How do you explain that to a young girl?
Do you tell her
"mummy knows that your coach wants a bad man to come here and coach you too, so be careful of him, but we dont really mind too much because..."?
And do you follow that up with " and even though your coach is rude and aggressive with me and you he is still someone I want you to deal with as a child because...?"
Seems to me the message being sent to those kids by their parents is that behaviour that would cause a schoolteacher to be fired and ostracized is considered OK in the name of skating dreams.
Parents that continue to accept and hire banned coaches knowingly send a very troubling message to their children, and accepting a coach who is rude and nasty is just about as bad.

[LittleBitSk8er]

Seems to me the message being sent to those kids by their parents is that behaviour that would cause a schoolteacher to be fired and ostracized is considered OK in the name of skating dreams. Parents that continue to accept and hire banned coaches knowingly send a very troubling message to their children, and accepting a coach who is rude and nasty is just about as bad.
What I see was that the Mothers are not hiring him for PRIVATE lessons, and that Gordie is not there the majority of the time. This is something the parents and the skater need to discuss in GREAT detail. I do not think I would attend the camp, with my skater knowing that a banned coach was there working with the skaters. Freaks me out my personal opion.

And besides he is there for all of three days. I would have preferred to see a different coach. But the camp goes by so fast and Gordie doesn't stay for the show or the rehersals. And doesn't hang around. All parents saw this last year. We all watched for it!!! Most of the kids think he's a little wierd. So Gordie took care of that himself.
We have a friend who came home from there in December not because of Mr. L, but b/c she was home sick, more than anything else. She went with sloppy singles and no axle and came home in three months with doubles, including double axles. That says a lot about his teaching and her ability to absorb his knowledge. He must be good at explaining and teaching! We have another friend who is planning on moving there to work with Mr. L. and JP? I personally think if you are among the wolves you can survive, with proper care and thick skin.;)

[butterfly]

I agree totally with WeBeEducated! It always amazes me that parents are overcome with rationalization when it comes to figure skating. When years pass and your child is out of skating, which 99% of them will be, parents will look back and wonder why they were so caught up in a coach or a sport that demeans and hits their child or produces chidren with eating disorders. When will parents learn that when you pay the bill you have a say in how your child is being treated.

I have watched this time and time again. I have watched it with one of the best coaches and with the most highly talented skaters. I watched this coach systematically tear down a child's ego, demean them, push them beyond physical endurance, ignore and minimize education and make fear a teaching tool. This all goes unchecked by parents and rink administrators that will sacrifice anything for recognition and money.

Parents need to know that the national US Figuring Skating organization does not want to be involved. The only protection our children (and I am including 18 year olds in that term "children") have against bad coaches is a parent's diligence and courage to speak up often. As long as parents rationalize and tolerate bad behavior and pay coaches for essentially abusing their children there will be no solution.

You don't have to be either a mean abusive coach or "a young sweet Boppy" coach; there are strong, experienced, respectful coaches in the figure skating business that consider the welfare of the child as well as their success in figure skating.

SunSk8ter you fool yourself with all your words, and I say this because I have been there and done that. BTW, an all A student is the most vulnerable for this abuse, especially including eating disorders.

[Skatewind]

I am not agreeing to the fact that he has let Gordie in last year or this year. I wish he wasn't coming here. But I have the utmost respect for Mr. Leitch anyway, no matter what has happened in the past, or this decision about Gordie. ... I would have preferred to see a different coach.

I haven't left my wonderful husband on his bad days either (that doesn't mean my husband has ever been violent). ... My skater has been repremanded with sharp tongue. (no foul language) Never has he laid a hand on my skater. Nor will he. ***Maybe he has to other children. That is true, he is old school and he made a mistake there.*** Yes... He has been unfair and very fair. I have seen like I said very hard times and kids that have come and gone. All really nice kids, too. It has been rough on a few of these kids. And I feel for all of them. They have left and all I am sure are better off elsewhere.

***He has a notoriuos rep, we knew that.***

***He can be brutal. Yet he can be really caring and nice.***

He was rough in Canada. And for his roughness he will tell you, I know I have heard him talk about it, he is sorry for some of it.
He did get way to uptight last year, but he has less kids, and has more time for golf now, too! And for the kids that have stayed.
He will never win a most loved person award...and he will always be gruff. And now that he is in a better mood doesn't repair any damage done in the past. I know this. ...

If it is a mistake that Gordie is coming it is going to happen at this point. Please understand that all people understand at this rink that Gordie is in trouble. And banned. Even if they don't know what banned means. Nobody likes the bad publicity. Some may have left over this. I do believe not very many girls are even listed for private lessons. My skater is not listed. But I do not have the list, just 'mums' hearsay. ***It is all ugly and we all know it.*** ...

***I wish that Gordie would call up and say he can't come.***
sunsk8r, I am sure you are in a difficult situation trying to work out a skating plan for your child that addresses everyone's needs. Even so, I can't help but find some of your comments very disturbing, because there seems to be an acceptance of a pattern of abuse.

"He can be brutal. Yet he can be really caring and nice." Those are the type of comments a lot of people make when they are in abusive situations. Many abused children I have met are straight A students who are well behaved & well mannered, so the behavior of a child isn't always a good indicator of a psychologically healthy environment & outside factors that impact the well being of the child should be closely scrutinized. Things that don't appear to be a problem now can develop into serious issues ten years from now. Prevention & a healthy environment are very important.

Anyone who witnesses physical or verbal abuse or neglect of children ought to report it to rink management to prevent these problems. Coaches with a history of problems in these areas continue the cycle as long as parents are willing to contract them & look the other way. I can't go along with looking the other way because it's not my child when other children are involved, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

[JustDoIt]

To All the Concerned Posters:

Let me explain why my family stays. We appreciate the values that a program like Kerry Leitch’s instills in our children. He is honest to a fault, he is very open with his communications to skaters and parents, and he is not afraid to speak his mind and disagree with the opinion of anyone. We always know where we stand with him and appreciate that. The children in his program are not abused verbally or physically and I am appalled that anyone would suggest this. He is not afraid to tell parents or children what they may not want to hear – that is not abuse that is brutal honesty.

He has taught our children the values of good solid friendships with their fellow skaters. My family has participated in programs at several rinks and NEVER has there been a rink that has welcomed us as skaters, parents, friends and family. YES family! We travel together, we train together, we support one another in good times and bad and we know that if ever our child or any family associated with this program were in need there would be support from our skating family. There is one person who is responsible for us growing into a family and that person is Kerry Leitch.

He has taught our children lessons in decision-making, pointed out basic life lessons of right and wrong, and instilled in them the value of hard work. He holds them to a high moral standard, one that is difficult to attain. It is a challenge they accept and meet on a daily basis.

He has rules as any good program or school does and they are to be followed. The rules of the program are presented to each family, in the form of a booklet, when they enroll in the program. If you don’t agree with the information than clearly this is not the program for you. They are the same rules that I, as a responsible parent place on my children. They must be respectful, polite, dress properly, and take care of their belongings and self.

There are NO eating disorders at our rink. I see all of the skaters almost on a daily basis. They eat a well-balanced healthy diet, which has been taught to them by health and fitness experts that Mr. Leitch has hired to conduct seminars and training sessions with our skaters. He has arranged for special healthy menus to be available to our skaters at the restaurant in the rink which is not necessarily known for it’s healthy cuisine. The skaters are trim and fit, they couldn’t skate they way they do if they were not. Mr. Leitch does not tolerate anyone using unhealthy means to achieve their weight goals. Trust me when I tell you that these children eat and eat well.

Furthermore, Mr. Leitch has two team doctors who care for our skaters on a regular basis. The doctors have two separate practices and are totally unaffiliated with one another. I dare say our skaters have the best medical care available to them whenever or wherever they need it. Our team doctors have come to the rink on a moments notice or seen our skaters at their offices or emergency rooms with a simple call from Mr. Leitch or a parent. They also make regular visits to our rink to provide well care to our skaters. I have NEVER been involved in another rink or skating program that has offered or provided this invaluable service. We are more than satisfied with the care given our skaters.

Kerry has taught our children that you support your friends, especially when they are in need. You do not abandon them but you help them find their way in their darkest hours. His friendship with Gordie is a perfect example of that. He has not abandoned a friend. Gordie chose not to respond to US Figure Skating and they did the only thing they could, they banned him from membership. US Figure Skating did not ban him from coaching. We have contacted US Figure Skating and they have told us that they would never do anything to prevent Gordie from coaching and he has not been convicted of any crime. These are the only facts that are verifiable to us from U.S. Figure Skating; therefore that is what we must base our decisions on.

Kerry recognizes that everyone makes mistakes or poor decisions in the course of their life and is willing to accept that in his friends, co-workers and students. Gordie was here last year and behaved in a most professional manner and people could choose to take lessons with him or not. It will be the same this year, and there will be no judgments made here by parents, coaches or skaters due to any coaching decision a family makes.

Kerry has admitted to making mistakes in his life, knows he will make more and recognizes that others will make mistakes too, but chooses not to abandon them. I dare say that you and others posting here have made mistakes and I hope that you have friends and companions as loyal as Kerry Leitch. Do you abandon your child when they make a mistake, or do you try to teach them and help them grow and move past it?

This program is not for everyone, just like any other skating program across the country. People come here and leave for various reasons, just like any other skating program. But I will tell you this, when we are at competitions and our group sits together and cheers loudly for our skaters, people who have left always come back and sit with us and they are welcome. Before long other groups of skaters and their families begin imitating our special cheers and claps for their skaters and I can’t help feeling that is a good thing. They too appreciate the values of our team and family and maybe their skaters find that little extra something to land a difficult jump or get through too many rounds or a program that is just too long. We are a team because Kerry Leitch made us a team, skaters and parents alike.

We do not condemn other skaters, rinks or programs like others posting here. We do not make anyone feel unwelcome when they come to train with us or when they leave. We do not expect you to understand what it is like to train with Kerry Leitch or to understand his program or philosophies, if you have not made an effort to contact him and have a discussion. It is easy to post all sorts of negative opinions on a website. It is much harder to be direct and call and ask difficult questions about a program you have little or no knowledge of. You may be surprised at the answers you get. Better yet, come and spend some time with us and really learn about the fine program and group of skaters that train in Mr. Leitch’s program.

I do not know if those reading this are a skater, have a child that is a skater, are a coach or a parent. I do know that many here have posted a lot of wrong information on this site at the expense of a man who has built a fine program and coaches a great group of skaters and young people. I am proud of them all and recognize that Kerry Leitch should be congratulated for helping them develop into fine upstanding citizens.

I hope that you will learn to accept the decisions of the families who train with Kerry Leitch; they are all good people with fine, healthy, well-rounded children. I wish the same for you and your families. I will not participate in any more discussions here. I feel they serve little value and focus only on the negatives – real or perceived.

[stepfordmom]

Beg my pardon for my next opinion some which are truthful negatives created by Mr. Leitch himself......

Yes he has always been one to be organized with the Team. That's good. Let me let you in a little secret. He is honest to a fault only when it's to his advantage. We caught him in several lies.. He loves to change a story around. He reprimands for a lie and tells one himself. That is why we left and went to another famous Canadian Coach. And he can be rather charming. You don't expect charm so it is something you try to grab when he gives the charm out. I suppose eating disorders are from the wretched past. That's good. Using his hand picked doctors? Wellness doctor is great...You may want to get a second opinion from an orthopedic or therapy Doctor..
I know two families that have left in the past year myself, and you explain an entirely different man. So that is good news. Maybe he has stopped his antics before he gets letters sent against his practices as a coach to US Figure Skating. We know the real side, I hope you stay on his good side.

Secret: I forgot the name of it....He MUST be on a seditive! That's good!

[WeBeEducated]

If Leitch wants to remain "friends" off ice with a man known for corrupting and manipulating underage female skaters that is fine with me, they can remain good buddies on their own time.
But it isnt fine with me that Leitch invites the banned coach into a skating program full of naive underage skaters who are not emotionally equipped to deal with predatory adults.
And it isnt fine with me that the parents of those young skaters feel manipulated into swallowing whatever they are fed by Leitch in order to participate in a good skating program.
In the end that is all that matters, no matter how those parents try to sugar coat it to alleviate their guilt or lack of principles.
It's all about the skating dreams.
Leitch appears to be running a program that is athletically sound , competitively somewhat successful, and because of that he has those starry eyed skating parents ready to tolerate everything he demands. They wouldnt accept it if they didnt think he was going to make their child "the best darn skater she can be".
No, if it was a school teacher, a friend or relative, or an ineffective skating coach(the sweet kind those parents have been led to distrust) they too would be alarmed and protest.
So I am not fooled by all the hype about his "honesty" :lol: (did he level with you honestly about why he isnt coaching in canada?) his "loyalty" and friendship to McKellen which he forces upon others(did he inform parents of the facts that were the basis of the grievance filed against Mckellen or did he decide that information wasnt necessary?)
As for the parents who pretend that it is in the best interest of their child to be coached by Leitch and Mckellen, two men who have been run out of programs and rinks for their seriously unprofessional conduct, I suggest you admit that your primary concern is the advances in skating your child may make at that rink and your fear that if your child trains elsewhere they might not achieve what YOU want them to. Nobody is fooled by the other stuff.
Inside the world of skating we all know how that works and warps the mind.

[Skatewind]

The children in his program are not abused verbally or physically and I am appalled that anyone would suggest this.
You may want to do some additional research regarding past history.
US Figure Skating did not ban him from coaching. We have contacted US Figure Skating and they have told us that they would never do anything to prevent Gordie from coaching and he has not been convicted of any crime. These are the only facts that are verifiable to us from U.S. Figure Skating; therefore that is what we must base our decisions on.
I'm quite sure if anyone contacts US Figure Skating they would provide a complete explanation if requested regarding restrictions in place when a coach is banned from membership. A banned coach cannot coach at US Figure Skating events, because membership is required in order to do so. This means the coach is indeed banned from coaching at the most important competitions a skater must pursue, including regionals, sectionals, nationals, worlds, as well as other US Figure Skating training camps, non-qualifying competitions, shows, etc. Coaches with this designation would not be able to coach at public rinks in my area, where background & police checks are performed. They must count on friends to employ them at private rinks where parents can be controlled or rink management does not care or can be kept uninformed.
Do you abandon your child when they make a mistake, or do you try to teach them and help them grow and move past it?
If your child has a problem with drugs, you do not give them cocaine or heroin. If your child has a problem with alcohol, you do not buy them vodka. Same thing if your child has a problem with underage girls. You support your children in ways that will improve their lives without giving them access to things that can enable their problems & harm others.
We do not expect you to understand what it is like to train with Kerry Leitch or to understand his program or philosophies, if you have not made an effort to contact him and have a discussion. It is easy to post all sorts of negative opinions on a website. It is much harder to be direct and call and ask difficult questions about a program you have little or no knowledge of.
No phone call is needed for a rationale or justification from someone who doesn't support the policy when it's clear such a decision can be harmful to children. However, if you believe people cannot have a valid opinion or work for change because they don't call Kerry Leitch directly, then you are mistaken. It's much more worthwhile to spend time working on improving the policies & guidelines for all skaters via the organizations that can make the changes, rather than waste time discussing it with one individual who clearly doesn't agree with them.

[Skatewind]

Gordie chose not to respond to US Figure Skating and they did the only thing they could, they banned him from membership.
When there is a grievance, the party would not be permanently banned from membership just because they haven't responded to the grievance. Such a decision would be made based on the information & documentation in the actual grievance. The lack of response by the grievant would be a secondary issue, not the sole reason for a finding that would result in a permanent membership ban.

[twokidsskatemom]

That is a very interesting and perplexing post from an Igloo parent.
After reading it I get the message loud and clear that Kerry is difficult, often rude, and careless with others feelings.
What I still dont get is why anyone would choose to stay with him. What are the reasons for staying there?
I dont see anything listed that balances out the bad!
All I am reading is that yes, Leitch deserves his bad reputation for unprofessional behaviour on many days, and yes, they plan on sticking with him because sometimes he is "fair" on the days he isnt being "unfair"????
That's the tradeoff? For children?!

Children do in fact get accustomed to friends at a rink and feel a bond with them, but is that a good enough reason to knowingly place them in an activity with a man who seeks relationships with minors?
How do you explain that to a young girl?
Do you tell her
"mummy knows that your coach wants a bad man to come here and coach you too, so be careful of him, but we dont really mind too much because..."?
And do you follow that up with " and even though your coach is rude and aggressive with me and you he is still someone I want you to deal with as a child because...?"
Seems to me the message being sent to those kids by their parents is that behaviour that would cause a schoolteacher to be fired and ostracized is considered OK in the name of skating dreams.
Parents that continue to accept and hire banned coaches knowingly send a very troubling message to their children, and accepting a coach who is rude and nasty is just about as bad.
great post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CanuckSk8r]

[QUOTE=JustDoIt]To All the Concerned Posters:

I hope that you have friends and companions as loyal as Kerry Leitch.



I would never wish that on my worst enemy. I am not into belittling my "friends" and "family" or being so disrespectful to all of them at any given time. Or being treated like that in return.

What scares me the most about the people involved in this wonderful "family" Mr. Leitch had formed, is the fact that you can't see the seclusion from the rest of the world you are allowing yourself to get caught up in.

It should alarm you that your skaters travel with their team and ONLY their team members from their rink. It should alarm you that the team has separate accomidations, separate practice times, separate everything...... there is a reason that Mr. Leitch separates his camp from everyone else. It's not in the best interests of YOUR athletes.... it's in HIS best interest.

Don't be fooled by any amounts of sugar coating you are healing. There is one person that Mr. Leitch is out for and that is himself. No one stands in his way.

As for the friendship that you think is so strong..... suggest that you are leaving the camp..... see how loyal it is then.

[beentheredoneit]

We are former skaters from JPIgloo. In other words...we have been there done that.
When you first begin skating at the rink the coaching staff is very helpfull and generous. They take great interest into your skating and make you feel like they really care. Then their attitudes take a swing. You notice that like any other rink there are indeed the "favorites". :bow: Too bad that most of the skaters never get a chance to be one of them.
Speaking of the coaches, I am glad that Mr. Leitch is only in control of the figure skating program now. He was way over his head as generall manager. People hated how power crazy he was. Now he will have more time to concentrate just on the skaters and wont be as brutal. (I hope) He does mean well he just has a hard job and can be extremely tough on his figure skaters. Not that i feel sympathetic for him. Treating skaters with such disrespect cant be forgiven. Along with him all of the other coaches seem to mean well too! Except Ms. Fedosoff. What a jerk! Theres no other way to describe her. She is not supportive at all. The other coaches are mean in a supportive way (you know what i mean) and she just isnt!!!! Beeing a figure skater at the rink I had a chance to see all of the skaters and get to know them. Everyone hates her. She is commpletely underqualified for the job. Shes the worst addition to the coaching staff that JPIgloo has ever had. She has her favorites too! She also has the people that she hates. She takes adavantage of the people that she thinks are nice because she knows that they wont complain about her. She needs to be FIRED!! :frus:

[sk8ergirl]

Wow, in reading all the comments in this thread, its better than a soap opera.
Who is this guy, and what is his credentials? I have never heard of him. Sounds like one of those "hes a legend in his own mind" coaches. Where I am from there are plenty of world class skating facilities within an hours drive, I gather those attending the Igloo don't have such a luxury.