CHARLOTTE MAN

I am applying for the retired athlete position on the BIS Ice Dance TAC because, having been involved in skating for 15 years, I would welcome the opportunity to use my experience to contribute to the future development of the discipline. My experience spans several aspects of ice dance: as a competitive ice dancer from beginner through to senior and international level, as a coach, and through my training to become a Technical Specialist. This has given me a broad perspective on the sport and an understanding of ice dance from an athlete, coaching and technical viewpoint. I believe this combination of experience, together with the analytical and objective approach I have developed professionally, would enable me to make a valuable contribution to the TAC.

My competitive experience encompasses both couples and solo ice dance. In couples ice dance, I competed with Toby and we progressed together from beginner through to senior level. At senior level, we competed at five National Championships, achieved a bronze medal at the 2022 British Championships and had the privilege of representing Great Britain internationally. I have also competed in solo ice dance up to junior level, broadening my competitive experience across both formats of the discipline.

Throughout my competitive career, I trained and competed alongside some of Britain’s leading ice dance athletes. This provided valuable exposure to elite-level skating and gave me first-hand experience of the commitment, expectations and challenges faced by athletes competing at the highest levels. Equally, having personally progressed through the competitive pathway from beginner to senior level, I understand the different challenges athletes can experience throughout their development. I believe this would enable me to bring an informed and authentic athlete perspective to the TAC.

My experience also extends beyond competing. I am a Level 2 BIS coach and have coached for three years, allowing me to experience the sport from a coaching perspective and further develop my understanding of athlete development. I have started training to become a BIS Ice Dance Technical Specialist, which has strengthened my interest and knowledge of the technical side of ice dance.

Alongside my skating background, I bring valuable transferable skills from working in a finance and legal environment. My professional experience requires me to work with detailed and complex information, interpret and apply rules and guidance, consider different perspectives, and communicate my reasoning clearly. This has developed my analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to approach issues fairly and objectively. I believe these skills would be particularly valuable on the TAC, enabling me to contribute to discussions in a considered and balanced way.

I would like to use my position on the TAC to support both athletes and BIS. Having experience as an athlete and coach, alongside my training to become a BIS Ice Dance Technical Specialist, allows me to see ice dance from three different perspectives and bring those views together. I believe this would enable me to take a fair, balanced and well-rounded approach, while representing athletes at all stages of the pathway. I would welcome the opportunity to give something back to the sport that has been such a significant part of my life and help improve the development of ice dance in the UK.