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New coaching award unveiled in honour of former Skate Canada COO Bethany Tory

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Bethany Tory’s passion, drive and commitment to excellence will be honoured with the unveiling of a new coaching award in her memory.

Skate Canada Chief Executive Officer Dan Thompson announced the creation of the Coach Education Scholarship, in honour of Bethany Tory, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, who passed away suddenly in April.

“We are extremely proud to introduce this award for our dedicated and passionate coaches in honour of Bethany,” stated Dan Thompson.

“Our coaches and Bethany shared the same dedication, passion and commitment to Skate Canada, and we are honoured to pay tribute to her memory. Bethany was a champion for positive change and alignment within the organization, so it is only fitting we name this award in her memory.”

A former skater and coach, Bethany embraced her Skate Canada COO role with energy and determination, and was extremely supportive of all Skate Canada coaches and officials.

Over the next three years of this quadrennial, the Coach Education Scholarship will be awarded to coaches who meet the following characteristics: embrace a skate for life philosophy; exemplify the values of integrity, fairness, courage, and generosity; and are dedicated to improving their coaching skills through expanding their academic knowledge.

Skate Canada will award up to five $2,000 scholarships to Skate Canada coaches who meet the application criteria and requirements. To be eligible for the award, applicants must be currently enrolled or participating in a post-secondary program at a recognized college or university and be pursuing a degree or diploma that is applicable to their role as a skating coach. During the inaugural 2015-2016 year of the program, special consideration will be given to coaches currently teaching CanSkate.

“Our coaches teach far more than skating skills,” added Thompson. “Coaches have a significant impact on the lives of young skaters, teaching life skills and encouraging them to remain active through our Skate For Life initiative.”

Please click here for more information on the Skate Canada Coach Education Scholarship in honour of Bethany Tory.

Skating Family grieving the loss of Chief Operating Officer Bethany Tory

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Bethany ToryOTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is in mourning after the passing of Bethany Tory. Bethany had been Skate Canada’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since November 2013 and was a critical member of the executive team. She leaves behind her husband Graham and two young sons.

Bethany passed away suddenly on Tuesday at age 44 after experiencing complications from a minor surgery. She had a lifelong passion for skating with a tremendous desire for life and a positive energy that was infectious.

“We are in shock by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend Bethany. There are no words that can describe the sadness felt by everyone who knew her,” said Dan Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. “During her time with Skate Canada, Bethany changed our culture and helped streamline our priorities. Her open communication and belief in alignment and collaboration has helped all of us change how we think in so many ways. Bethany’s contribution will not be forgotten.”

The entire skating family grieves in the loss of a wonderful life but will find the strength to celebrate her legacy and the positive impact she made to Skate Canada.

A Memorial Service will be held at Cedarview Alliance Church (2784 Cedarview Rd, Nepean, ON K2J 4J2) on Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends and colleagues in the church reception hall from 1:30-4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred for the Queensway Carleton Hospital and/or the New Beginnings Pet Rescue. A full length notice will appear in Friday’s Ottawa Citizen.

Skate Canada wishes to express the most sincere sympathies to Bethany’s family and friends.

Two New Chief Officers Appointed at Skate Canada

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OTTAWA, ON: Two new executive leaders have been appointed to Skate Canada. Patricia Chafe will join the organization as the Chief Sport Officer and Bethany Tory will join the organization as its Chief Operating Officer.

“These leaders will bring new ideas and increased operational efficiency to the work on Skate Canada’s 2014 to 2018 strategic plan”, said Dan Thompson, CEO, Skate Canada. “I’m confident that they will both bring new energy and skills into the organization, strengthening our results and helping to ensure that Canada remains a leading global skating nation.

The Chief Sport Officer role is a new one for Skate Canada and encompasses all functions relating to athletes, coaches and officials.

Patricia Chafe returns to Skate Canada to assume this position after several years of running her own consultancy practice. Her focus will be to drive Skate Canada’s strategy across the full spectrum of athlete, coach and officials development programs, including skating programs, high performance, national team and competition delivery. With an extensive background in the sport as a skater, coach and official, she has a unique understanding of all aspects of skating. She has also provided analytical support in preparation for International Skating Union congresses, and served as a performance analyst for Skate Canada’s world and Olympic teams. Chafe holds a Ph.D. and B.Ed. from Dalhousie University, and an M.Math from the University of Waterloo.  She will begin her new duties on December 2, 2013.

As the Chief Operating Officer, Bethany Tory will be accountable for running the business, directing its member services, finance and administration and technology strategy. Most recently Tory served as Executive Director of Membership Services with Scouts Canada, and she brings extensive experience in leadership, program management, strategic planning, financial management and budgeting, stakeholder engagement and corporate governance experience to her new role.  A former competitive skater, and a qualified figure skating coach, she is a graduate of the Queen’s University’s MBA program and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University. She will begin her new position on November 25, 2013.

The third position on the Skate Canada executive team, expected to be filled in early January, will be a Chief Marketing Officer responsible for business development, communications, sponsorship, marketing, digital content and event management.