ST-LAZARE — Hayleigh Abbott says she was forced to hang up her skates close to three months ago, when the new coach at her new high school told her she had to leave the elite figure skating program. The family claims that decision came just one day after confronting the coach about an alleged bully on the ice.
“It was really disappointing and I was really sad because I was kicked out of something I love,” said the 12-year-old.
Hayleigh and her family first turned to Global News in September and the fallout on social media was at times nasty, adding insult to injury.
Skate Canada is still investigating the incident and Hayleigh hopes to find answers.
“I hope that what comes out of the investigation is that Skate Canada could come with a reason on why they can do that because there was no reason they could that,” said Hayleigh, the 2014 Quebec Provincial Champion for her age category.
Skate Canada has refused Global News’ requests for an interview, pending the investigation. Hayleigh and her family met with investigators last month, but her parents have little hope.
- Canadian man dies during Texas Ironman event. His widow wants answers as to why
- ‘Sciatica was gone’: hospital performs robot-assisted spinal surgery in Canadian first
- Honda’s $15B Ontario EV plant marks ‘historic day,’ Trudeau says
- Several baby products have been recalled by Health Canada. Here’s the list
“I asked them for an update. The response I got back from Skate Canada was it was an open-ended investigation and that they were having a challenge getting the people involved in this situation together to give the evidence,” said Ruffino.
The Marguerite Bourgeois School Board also launched an investigation back in September, but school board officials have refused our multiple requests for an interview. In fact, few people are willing to speak out about bullying in the figure skating world.
“There’s an intense bullying in some schools and clubs between coaches and figure skaters,” said former figure skating champion Alexandre Hamel. “It’s a coaching technique that is used and that is efficient that creates those perfect performances.”
Hamel left the sport 10 years ago after witnessing widespread bullying.
“There’s intense bullying. Personally, I was a victim because I’m a more delicate man, I like dancing. This has nothing to do with my sexual orientation but this was making me a victim of bullying from hockey players,” said Hamel, who now runs Le Patin Libre, a freestyle skating collective with no competition and no intimidation.
“I’m not surprised of this little girl’s story, first she did something that’s forbidden in the world of figure skating, she talked to the media!”
Hayleigh has tried to get back on the ice, but her family insists she’s been blacklisted. And while they’re convinced she’ll likely lose this battle, they hope it serves as a lesson to others.
“I think it’s very important for young girls to speak out against bullying whether that’s in school, in sports or in the work place,” said Neil Abbott, Hayleigh’s father.
Hayleigh is now part of the cheerleading program at the same high school. She dreams of going back on the ice some day, but she also knows that finding a qualified coach who would be willing to take her on at this point is next to impossible.
“You have to stand up to that or else they’re always gonna win and they’re gonna get it their way then it just creates another cycle,” said Hayleigh.
Comments