PAUL CROCKER

I have skated since 1990 (36 years) and coached since 2006 (20 years), I have coached Synchronised skating for 10 years and have coached all level teams from beginner to ISU Junior, also Senior Elite, Adult teams and Inclusive teams. I am currently one of the head coaches for Solent Synchronised Skating Club with over 100 members and 8 teams.

I started skating recreationally but moved to compete in free skating to a senior level standard, achieving national titles in both youth and adult events. I have passed all (former) NISA level 10 tests for every discipline in the older test structure: field moves, free skating, elements, free dance, pattern dance, original dance and a gold bar test in ice dance.

As an ice dancer I competed solo and also competed with multiple partners including one partnership at senior level ISU competitions. During my time skating I have also had multiple partners in free skating and ice dance and taken part in many ice shows. I’m based at Gosport Ice Rink and hold Level 2 accreditation. In 2017 I was awarded “Young coach of the year” from BITA.

For the past 10 years I’ve also worked for Special Olympics and have attended 3 World Winter Games as a figure skating coach for our GB team. The last time I attended as Head Coach managing logistics and training over a Macro cycle across multiple years with a team of coaches and skaters.

In 2020 I created an online learning platform to help skaters without Ice during covid, my online teachings and courses have had over 3,000 skaters go through them learning off ice and on ice from anywhere in the world as far as Australia. I still work online on zoom for skaters as well and continue to add to this platform.

Synchronised skating is very special to me. It was a huge part of my skating journey and I learned first hand what it’s like to have a team support you and challenge you in this sport which can be quite isolated sometimes. I believe synchronised skating can improve the whole person, not just the skaters skills.

I’d like to help make synchronised skating more accessible and promote the discipline through positive engagement by applying rules and criteria that support inclusion for all skaters to enter the discipline and pursue a positive experience through their progress in the sport. Now synchronised skating is in the Olympic spotlight with synchro 9 I also want to support Synchronised skating in the pursuit of making sure that it stays part of the Olympics and see where we can help provide more opportunities for British athletes to see that opportunity as a real possibility.

I like to believe I’m a good listener and will be diplomatic in all discussions bringing my POV from years of experience. I’m friendly and also understand the limitations we have as a TAC as well as the possible changes we might be able to make to help skaters and coaches around the country engage positively in Synchro.