For Newmarket Skating Club coach Ann Broughton, 50 years has gone by fast.
Her work was not about making champions but about providing her students skills to help with life, she said.
“I really enjoy skating, and I enjoy teaching children,” she said. “It was about a life lesson they learn through skating. You have to be organized. It’s time management … They can take it with them to help them along the way."
Dozens of former students attended as the club honoured Broughton's 50 years of work May 29 at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex. The students came to catch up with her, with the club putting up a display featuring all the history of Broughton's time with the club.
Kim Proctor said she was Broughton's very first student. She said Broughton was with her throughout her skating career, and they have kept up as friends since.
"Excellent, meticulous. Really detailed in how she taught.” Proctor said. “I only wanted her by my side … She was the best at it, and we worked together well. It was great.”
“To see everybody that I’ve taught over the years, it’s just amazing,” Broughton said.
Club secretary Kylie-Anne Doerner said it is not a milestone many coaches reach. She said Broughton taught many generations of families, including herself and her daughter.
“She’s made a huge impact on this town," she said. "The number of people that know how to skate in this community because of her is massive ... She's a community builder."
Misha Hesami is a more recent student, having joined the club in 2017.
“She’s strict but really kind. She makes us positive,” Hesami said, adding Broughton is also hard to keep down. “She’s had so many injuries, and she just keeps coming back.”
Another former student, Heather Comeau, said Broughton would help off the ice as well, driving her home sometimes.
“She would inspire you. She was so understanding,” she said. “There are days where you’re sore from falling, and she would encourage you to get back up and keep going.”
“It’s so important to recognize Ann,” added Heather Stewart, another student. “Such an amazing lady. Wouldn’t have missed it.”
Broughton said she was happy to see where all the kids she coached ended up, whether going to Olympic competitions or to other careers like journalism.
She said her eight grandchildren keep her busy. But she added she would still be around the rink regularly going forward, even after 50 years coaching.
Her advice to young skaters is to always try.
“If you don’t try, you never know where you might be and what you will be able to do,” she said. “And follow your heart. You can do anything you put your mind to.”
