Estevan is making its mark on the national figure skating scene. Two coaches from the Estevan Skating Club, Ashley Piper and Jolene Steenburgen, have been selected as apprentice coaches for Skate Canada International, a prestigious program that allows coaches to learn from Olympic-level mentors.
Only 20 coaches across the country were accepted, making it a rare opportunity to observe some of the world’s top athletes and their coaches. The program, which will take place this October in Saskatoon, provides a behind-the-scenes look at how elite skaters prepare for high-level competition, including last-minute coaching tips, practice routines and performance strategies.
Skate Canada International is the third event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters can compete in up to two events, earning points based on placement. The top six in each discipline, men, women, pairs, and ice dance, qualify for the Grand Prix Final, taking place December 4-7, 2025, in Nagoya, Japan.
“We’re super excited, and especially since there are only 20 coaches across Canada that got into this program. So, for two of us from Estevan to make it was extremely exciting,” Piper said. Steenburgen echoed the sentiment.
Steenburgen has some experience with Skate Canada International, having volunteered at a previous event. “When I was 20 in university in Winnipeg, the competition was being hosted there, so I was a volunteer at that one, and I was more of a runner, kind of helping the coaches behind the scenes,” she said. That early exposure gave her a firsthand look at the work that goes into preparing elite skaters and sparked her interest in continuing to grow as a coach.
Both coaches bring years of experience to the role. Piper has been involved with the Estevan Skating Club since she was three and has been the head coach for the past few seasons, while Steenburgen has coached a wide range of skaters for four years, from beginners as young as two to adult programs open to anyone willing to give skating a try.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Steenburgen said, “Here I am at 40 years old, still reaching, still trying to build and, you know, learn and see what we can bring back for our skaters of tomorrow.”
Piper added, “Just to soak it all in, see how the coaches and skaters interact with each other, the tips the coaches give the last minute right before they go out, and to compete and just to experience this high-level competition and enjoy it.”
Both say they hope their experience at Skate Canada International will not only help them grow as coaches but also inspire local skaters to aim high and pursue their own goals in the sport.