January 2016
IN THE LOOP
The official e-newsletter of Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut
SAVE THE DATE - 2016 Section ACGM & Awards Banquet

Date: Saturday April 30, 2016
Location: Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort, Edmonton, AB
Registration: Coming February 2016

For more information click here
2016 Skate Canada & Section Awards Program

Nomination Forms Now Available
Our organization is built on the dedication of its skaters, coaches, volunteers and officials. Skate Canada and all Skate Canada Sections are pleased to announce that online nomination forms are now available for all national and section awards. The awards program is designed to celebrate and recognize this dedication.

There are two separate sets of awards - those that recognize activity at the national level and those that celebrate the involvement of participants at the local and sectional levels.

Skate Canada's vision is to 'inspire all Canadians to embrace the joy of skating'. Help us celebrate the efforts of those who support the vision of Skate Canada by nominating them for an award!

To nominate an individual for an award, please visit the Alberta-NWT/Nunavut website and go to the Awards tab. Each award description and form is available to submit your nominations. 

Questions regarding awards can be emailed to [email protected].

Nomination deadline for awards: February 15, 2016. 

Skate Canada Section Awards

Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Awards
Gateway SC Post Secondary Bursary
Creating the Edge for Life Adult Award
Spirit and Passion of Skating Adult Award
Special Olympics Skater of the Year Award
Section Coach Achievement Award
25 and 50 Year Volunteer, Coach and Official Service Recognition Award
Marilyn Chidlow Club Volunteer Award
Alberta Figure Skating Foundation Triple/Quad Gold Awards (submission deadline: March 15, 2016)

Please visit www.skateabnwtnun.ca for details. 

Skate Canada Awards
Inclusive Skating Project 
Deadline Extended to February 1, 2016

Guidelines
Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut supports Inclusive Skating through the following grant application process for the 2015-2016 season:
  • Section clubs (and partners such as Alberta Sport & Recreation Association for the Blind) may be eligible to apply for a grant. Funds must be used for planned Inclusive Skating (IS) programming within the 2015-2016 season
  • Funds must be used for one or more of the following areas:
    • Coaching support (e.g. IS coach training opportunities, IS coaching fees, Program Assistant training, Program Assistant Recognition, etc.)
    • Club support (e.g. IS program ice fees, IS Skate Canada membership fees, club IS program fees, etc.)
    • Event support (e.g. CanSkate Element Events costs for IS athletes, competition-related expenses for IS athletes competing or participating in an event)
    • Adaptive equipment support (e.g. any individual specialized equipment including skates, helmets, frames, braces, or specialized equipment for club IS programming use)
    • Clubs that receive funding must provide year-end reporting in the form of photos, storytelling and receipts.
    • $10,000.00 available funds to be divided amongst approved requests throughout the season.
 Deadlines to submit requests:
 February 1, 2016 (funding requests for January-end of season) $3000.00 available

For more information click here
Coach/Skater Development Opportunity

Topic: Jump Technique (on/off ice) & Off Ice Preparation

Date: Tuesday February 9 & Wednesday February 10, 2016
Presenter: Robert O'Toole
Location: Markin McPhail Centre
146 Canada Olympic Road SW (Canada Olympic Park)

For assistance and complete information click here

Boys Only Program

Purpose: To support the development and participation of boys in figure skating and encourage comradery and mentorship
Date: Fridays - January 8 - February 26, 2016 (8 sessions)
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: National Performance Center, Calgary
Cost: $200 ($25/session)

For more information or to register click here.
Volunteer Opportunity - NWT Region Representative
 
The NWT Region Representative leads the NWT Region Committee and is a member of the Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Regions Committee. Region Representatives provide leadership within their Region, assisting with the effective operation of the NWT Region Clubs in accordance with Skate Canada rules and regulations. The 2014-2016 term for the NWT Region Representative is currently considered a casual vacancy and may be filled by appointment by the Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Board of Directors to complete the term. The current term would be completed on April 30, 2016.
 
For more information, or to express your interest in volunteering, please contact Kelly Havixbeck, Member Services Manager at [email protected] or call 1-866-294-0663. 

Click here to view complete volunteer opportunity.
 
Please express your interest by letter and/or resume by February 1, 2016.  
Club House

Registration FAQ
As a club, how do I view club information and update registrant information? Do you know how to register an official with your club?  Do you know the difference between a club board member and a club administrator? Click here to access a FAQ that provides the answers to these and many other questions surrounding the registration process.

Olympia Skating Club Update
Olympia Skating Club hosted its first Christmas event on December 21st at Father David Bauer Arena. Family, friends, and anyone from the skating community who wanted to participate was welcome to attend this event - what an afternoon it was! CTV's Community Events Department promoted the event all week for us through television and social media. We had a spectacular turnout - children from ages 2 - 17, adults from our club and other skating communities, parents who skate for fun with their kids, their family members, and lots of friends. Even if people couldn't skate, they still came to be part of the festive fun.

For the complete article click here.
Synchronized Skating

Due to the short time frame from when synchronized skating teams qualify, to when they compete at the 2016 Synchronized Skating Championships, pre-registration has been released. This allows teams to register their intention to attend the 2016 Synchronized Skating Championships, should their team qualify.

Pre-registration/online registration must be completed no later than February 4, 2016. Pre-registration/online registration allows for team information updates including attending personnel, music information, confirmation of medical and athlete waivers completed, and planned programs. Payment and final confirmation will be completed on-site at respective Regional Synchronized Skating Championships. 

CanSkate Connection
Add a new dimension to your Ice Show or Pre-CanSkate and CanSkate classes with a Zamboni tent!  Couple it with the song 'I Wanna Drive the Zamboni' by Martin Zellar and you will have motivated happy skaters. 
 
The tent can be found at the store Hockey Life.  The base of the tent has to be cut out and clear nail polished added on the cut edges to prevent fraying.  For safety I recommend only coaches or Program Assistants 'drive' the Zamboni.  To add more fun you can give the skaters an ice cream lid cut into a steering wheel so they feel like they are driving and can really turn those corners!!
 
Have fun,
Tammy Greidanus
CanSkate Resource Team Member
Officials Edge

Milestones and Excellence in Volunteerism
A Profile of Sheena Meurin
Our section is blessed with many dedicated officials who collectively contribute immeasurable hours of volunteer service to the sport of figure skating.  It is a pleasure to be able to count decades of service amongst our ranks of officials.  Sheena Meurin has entered her forty-first year with Skate Canada as a judge, referee, technical controller, evaluator and clinic leader.  In these four decades she has performed many roles at the club, region, section, national and international levels.  Sheena became a judge in 1975.  Shortly thereafter she was tapped to begin serving on skating committees.  She has a rich history of volunteerism.  Whenever the call went out to serve, Sheena readily accepted the role or task and has been a consistent contributor with attention to detail and excellence in everything in which she has been involved.  

At the 2016 Canadian Tire National Championships in Halifax, Sheena Meurin will be honoured by Skate Canada for her years of dedication and service as an official to the sport of figure skating.  Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section joins in saying a heartfelt 'thank you' to Sheena for the lasting contributions and impact she has made.  Sheena Meurin represents true excellence in volunteerism and we are proud to have her as a member of our officiating community.  Congratulations Sheena on this milestone achievement! 

For the complete article about Sheena Meurin click here.
  
Duso's December Female
Skater of the Month






Congratulations to the December 
Female Skater of the Month, from the Red Deer FSC, Zoe Thompson. Zoe is a bright, athletic, energetic, keen little lady. She is an absolute pleasure to coach. Zoe is inspired by a challenge and takes great pride in all she does. She is an adventurous soul excited to learn new and difficult skills and tricks. 
  
Duso's December Male
Skater of the Month





Congratulations to the December Male Skater of the Month, from the Lethbridge SC, Connor Chan. Connor is a hard working skaters that shows up to each session with a positive, can do attitude. In addition, Connor gives back as a CanSkate Program Assistant. He is a role model to younger skaters in his club. 
   
Duso's December
    Helping Hand of the Month




Congratulations to the December Helping Hand of the Month, from the Wild Rose FSC, Marcy Fodness. As the registrar, Marcy has worked tirelessly for the past 6 months to transition the club to a new online registration system. This is in addition to all of the extra events she helps organize, such as bottle drives and dress sales. 

Submit your nomination for upcoming Duso's Helping Hand of the Month awards by the 15th of every month! Nomination forms can be found here.

Show Duso's how much we appreciate their support by liking their Facebook page!

Section Logo 
Events Calendar

Quote of the Month
Photo Credit: quotesgram.com
2016 NCCP Course Dates
 
CanSkate
April 1 - 3, 2016
Edmonton, AB (NAIT)
Click here to register. 

April 15 - 17, 2016
Calgary, AB (Cardel Rec Centre)
Online Registration coming January 2016

Primary STARSkate
April 15 - 17, 2016
Calgary, AB (Cardel Rec Centre)
Online Registration coming January 2016

ISPC
May 18 - 22, 2016
Calgary, AB (Glencoe Club)
Online Registration coming in 2016

For more information on the course and pre-requisites click here
Test Days 
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2015 - 2016 Committees   

 

 Board of Directors 

Region Representatives  

Coaching Representatives 

AFSF

 


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Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut provides leadership in conjunction with Skate Canada as an association dedicated to the principles of enabling all to participate in skating throughout their lifetime for fun, fitness, and/or achievement.