COMMENTS FROM PAST STUDENTS/PARENTS/COLLEAGUES
When our local rink closed my girls and I started to visit Bracknell ice rink, and I told them to decide for themselves which coach they would like to have.  They each chose Phillida and we never regretted it!  Each of my three girls were at different levels and of different abilities, and I watched as Phillida adapted every lesson to their individual needs, totally focussed on that particular child.   She encouraged them each to achieve their full potential.  Two of them became very happy recreational skaters, getting a sense of achievement from also passing tests.  One thoroughly enjoyed competing individually and also representing her club in competition.  Phillida was always calm and encouraging during competitions, and as a result she performed to the best of her ability.  This has given her self confidence and self assurance.  She has continued to use her skating ability to travel the world, performing in an open air ice show in Canada, in ice shows in several European countries, in the Magic Circus of Samoa travelling the South Pacific, and in a circus in Mumbai, India on plastic ice.  As a result she has not only had some fantastic experiences but also developed many other life skills. 
 Judy Baldock 

Leah Rogers – past student  
I had Phillida as a coach throughout my main years of figure skating and she’s a great coach and a great influence! She taught me great basics, and superb spinning technique! Very artistic and fun, and very very knowledgeable! You will have a beautifully choreographed programme that’s for sure! Very reputable and a great personality to have on the ice teaching you  - Leah Rogers UK

I have known Phillida Barden for the past 32 years, when she began teaching my very small daughter the love of figure skating in Sydney, and teach her she did. My daughter only stopped skating at age 18 [she was 2 years and 2 months old when she started with Phillida] because she developed a bad heart and had to give the sport up. I found Phillida to be excellent with her approach to my child, she gave her all the encouragement she would need to eventually be able to compete at Elite Level in this country.  which she did with success.  That she had the confidence to do so, I lay at the feet of Phillida Barden.
Mrs. B.J . Sawell
Happy Parent

I worked with Phillida for ten years at the John Nike Leisuresport Complex in Bracknell, Berkshire UK. During those ten years I found her depth of knowledge of the sport to be almost limitless, she is without doubt one of the best coaches to come out of the UK and is a coach of exceptional ability.
Chris Howarth
Assistant General Manager                                                                                           www.glacierskate.com  Illinois

 I have known Phillida since we were both 18 years of age when I trained as a figure skater in London in the mid to late 1970’s under the same British coach. Phillida represented Great Britain with distinction whilst I was representing Australia. She moved to Sydney in the early 1980’s to pursue a coaching career with great results for our young skaters and always conducted herself with a professional approach. After her return to Britain, Phillida coached  again with distinction, and also became a highly respected International Figure Skating Judge – as listed by the International Skating Union (ISU), the world wide governing body of the sport.
Belinda Noonan -  Publisher Burwood Scene HSBH Pty Ltd t/as Scene Newspapers Sydney

Phillida  commenced a voluntary career in Singles/Pairs Figure  Skating judging in 2002, progressing quickly through the training procedures due to commitment and previous competitive skating and coaching experience to become an  ISU International Singles and Pairs Judge in 2005.
She regularly officiated at GB National tests, competitions and championships, in addition to International competitions until April 2012. Phillida was a member of the GB Figure Skating Technical Committee during 2007/8 and assisted with the implementation of the IJS. This together with her judging experience has ensured that she is presently fully au fait with current ISU rules and regulations with regard to the judging of Singles and Pairs.
Liz Littler
NISA Judges and Officials Director

  I first remember you on the ice when you were 10 yrs old and followed your development ever since as competitor, coach and judge. Love your website and we wish you every success in Oz. xx 
Sheila Butler - Bradford Ice Skating Club