About

Doreen

 

Doreen Hoppe had always known that her passion for ice skating was there to stay. She started skating at the age of 9 and at 21 turned professional and began coaching. During her years as an amateur skater, she concentrated on all disciplines; figures, free and dance, whilst obtaining the necessary qualifications to progress into her career as a coach. As a teenager Doreen decided to focus on ice dance, skating in National and International competitions. She competed in British Junior and Senior Championships and was also part of the British team to compete Internationally.

 

As Doreen’s career in coaching started, she knew that she was fulfilling her dream in the skating world, which went from strength to strength.

 

In later years she found her niche coaching dance couples both nationally and on the international circuit. She very much enjoys the aspect of choreographing dance routines, whether it be for competitive skating or shows. Doreen has also travelled extensively throughout Europe with her couples to gain an insight into how other European coaches approach different techniques.

 

Alongside the coaching, opportunities came her way within the TV world, appearing in various programmes including:

  • BBC1 Strictly Ice Dancing, as a judge alongside Craig Revel Horwood
  • Sky Sports Living for Sport
  • Iceland Commercial
  • ITV Anglia; teaching news presenters how to skate in 6 weeks
  • Gok Wan’s How To Look Good Naked, where she choreographed a dance routine
  • NISA TV, commentary at the British Championships 2009 and more recently at the Junior Grand Prix, Sheffield.

 

Over recent years, Doreen trained to become a Technical Dance Specialist due to the IJS system replacing the 6.0 system. Having successfully completed this, she then went on to Frankfurt, where she qualified as an ISU Technical Specialist. In recent years she has officiated in many National and International events.

 

Doreen organises and runs the Coaching Assessment days with on and off ice workshops.

 

She is currently coaching at Lee Valley Ice Centre where she is still living out her passion for skating, passing on her vast knowledge to other aspiring skaters.