Home Athletes Dear JO ANN: How Can I Pay for My Child’s Figure Skating Dream?



Today I received the following letter from a very concerned ice skating parent:

Dear Jo Ann:  I have a 13 year old daughter who has a true passion for skating.  She has experienced some negative situations at her rink and skating club, but has never given up.   In addition, she is quite a talented skater who learns quickly and can do double jumps, but is behind in some areas.  She may have been kept behind by certain coaches who favored other skaters.

For over a year, my daughter asked to learn the double Axel, but the coaches refused, so I decided to offer my child the possibility of accomplishing her wish to learn the double Axel and I contacted another rink, coach, and club.   Then, we made a training rink and coaching change.   The change seemed to be a good decision, since after two lessons, my daughter began to land double Axels!

Anyway, we decided to permenately change to the different rink and club, but the new training rink is asking for the equivalent of my monthly salary!
I don’t quite know what to do.  I am thinking about asking my bank for a loan to pay for my daughter’s skating training!   I am very concerned about this entire situation, but I don t want to break my daughter’s figure skating dream.
What should I do?  Are there any rinks, coaches, or skating clubs that give financial help to young athletes?
Thank you so much for your time.
Scared and Worried Skatng Mom
Here’s my reply:
Dear Scared and Worried Skating Mom:
I am glad to hear about your child’s passion for skating and her success in landing the double Axel jump.
Here are my thoughts:
Be honest with the coaches at the new training facility.  Tell them what you can and cannot afford, and absolutely don’t do something drastic like taking out a loan to pay for your child’s skating!
You will not be destroying your child’s skating dream.  At the age of 13, she has accomplished much in the sport already if she is landing double Axels!  Stay within your budget.
If the new training facility is not willing to train your daughter under the budget you set, consider finding another place to train.
Sadly, most ice arenas, coaches, or clubs don’t offer financial assistance to figure skaters.

Happy Skating!

JO ANN Schneider Farris

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