(August 16, 2007)

Ron Shaver, 1976

The 1977 Canadian men’s champion and 1976 Olympian, Ron Shaver, has returned to Canada to be Manager of Skating Operations at the Winter Club of St. Catharines, in Ontario.

Shaver, whose new position officially begins on August 17, was introduced to the club’s skaters during their open house on July 28.

“The Board is extremely excited about Ron's arrival and the opportunity this represents to our skaters and others within the region,” says Marilyn Reynolds, member of the club’s Board. “We know that with his skill knowledge and expertise, Ron has the tools and resources to positively influence the skaters, coaches and the sport within our region.”

Shaver, who was born and raised in Galt Ont., (which later became the city of Cambridge), joined the Galt Figure Skating Club when he was four-years-old. While he competed, Shaver lived in Hamilton during the week with his coach Neil Carpenter and trained at the Hamilton-Stoney Creek Figure Skating Club.

Before becoming national champion in 1977, Shaver had already captured a national novice title (1966), two national silver medals (1973 and 1976) and two Skate Canada gold medals (1974 and 1976). He also competed at five world championships where he always finished in the top-ten and reached fifth-place in 1974. He ended his competitive career by winning a world professional championship in 1981.

After he retired from amateur skating Shaver joined the Ice Capades for three years, then took a teaching job in Atlanta for three years. He returned to the Ice Capades in 1983 where he remained until May of 1990. He then became a coach in Hamilton after his retirement from performing and also served as Director of Skating at the Hamilton Figure Skating Club from 1990-1998. He was also affiliated with several skaters from the Niagara region during that time through freelance coaching. He moved to Houston in 2001 to work for the Gulf Coast Kids on Ice Figure Skating Club.

Shaver has been involved in skating as a competitor, professional, coach and director of skating for the past 48 years. He was inducted into the Cambridge Hall of Fame in 1998.