Lorraine McLatchie on her Honorary Life Membership Award

Jan 8

A number of British Ice Skating Honorary Life Membership Awards are announced each year to recognise and thank individuals who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to the ice skating community in the UK.

Lorraine McLatchie was announced as a recipient at the 2024 BIS AGM; Lorraine has been a figure skating official since 2003, providing her time and expertise to help deliver endless competitions and test sessions over the past 21 years. This work has played a vital role in the grassroots development of figure skating and the delivery of competitive opportunities for so many skaters.

We caught up with her to find out a bit more about her experiences in her own words:

"I feel very shocked and surprised but very grateful to be given this Honorary Award for doing something I love and feel passionate about. Not many people can say they have been involved in the same sport for nearly 60 years. Thank you BIS for this award and hopefully I will continue to be involved for many years to come."

What is your earliest ice skating memory?

I started skating as my mum worked in the old Paisley Ice Rink shop. I didn’t sleep very well and my my mum thought skating would tire me out. It didn’t work but my passion and love for the sport took hold at a very early age I was 3 years old. My early memories are of skating in Paisley and always wanting to show people what I learned whether they were a coach or a judge. From a very early age I lived and breathed skating.

How did you first get involved in volunteering with BIS?

I coached for a number of years in Swindon, Magnum and Paisley ice rinks. I did love this job but often felt I was spending more time with other people's children so decided to stop. I had a conversation with Robert Worsfold who I had known for a very long time and he asked would I consider judging. I would be able to choose when I judged and still be able to spend time with my children and still be involved in the sport. I decided that would be the best path for me and I have not looked back.

What have been some standout highlights of your involvement in ice skating?

Highlights for me - there have been a lot. I have made really strong friendships and the support I received from the judging community when times were difficult has been amazing. I am passionate about helping new judges and love to see them develop and move up within the sport. I admire all the skaters whether a child or adult skater it takes commitment, determination and confidence to go out and skate on your own in a test session or competition and I again like to see them develop within the sport.