(December 20, 2005)

Lee Barkell was awarded the 2005 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award by the Coaching Association of Canada on November 11, 2005 at the Sport Leadership Conference in Quebec City, QC. Lee received this award for his work as the primary coach of Jeff Buttle for the 2004-2005 season and his silver medal win at the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships in Russia. The award will be presented to Barkell at the 2006 BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships on January 15th in Ottawa.

Lee Barkell with Jeff Buttle

Barkell, a former Canadian National Team member from 1986-1990 and a former national and international champion, had tremendous success as a coach in the 2004-2005 season. An NCCP Level 4 certified coach, Barkell is the Director of the Pair Skating Program at the Mariposa International School of Skating in Barrie, Ontario. He has been coaching since 1990.

Barkell coaches athletes on Skate Canada’s senior and junior national teams including Jeffrey Buttle, who had a very successful season in 2004-2005. Buttle won the gold medal at the 2004 Cup of China, an ISU Grand Prix event and the bronze medal at the 2004 MasterCard Skate Canada International. Based on his strong performances on this year’s ISU Grand Prix circuit, Jeff qualified for the 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final in December 2004, where he won the silver medal, finishing second to three-time World Champion Evgeni Plushenko. In January 2005 Jeff won his first Canadian Championship title and went on to win the silver medal at the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships in March in Russia.

Barkell has coached at four World Championships, at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and at 12 consecutive World Junior Championships. He has always demonstrated respect for his athletes and respect for the sport and instills these values in his work with his athletes. He is very respectful of other coaches, and he values hard work, commitment, dedication, fair play and tough competition. He always conducts himself in a very professional and ethical manner. Barkell’s ability to quickly comprehend and capitalize on the new judging system format demonstrates that he is also an extremely competent athlete manager and strategist. The success of his athletes on the international competitive scene this past year is a clear indicator of these skills.

Barkell is extremely dedicated to both his athletes and to the sport, which is evident through his volunteer work. Lee is currently on Skate Canada’s Board of Directors and was elected by his coaching peers to the position of Vice Chair on the Advisory Coaching Council. Prior to his current position, he was the Chair of the Skate Canada Competitive Coaching Subcommittee.

Congratulations Lee!