Welcome to STARSkate!
The Glencoe Skating Club would like to extend a warm WELCOME to everyone registering for the 2019-2020 skating season. The Club is continuing to expand and grow. It is definitely an exciting time to be a member of the Glencoe Skating Club. We have a dedicated group of individuals heading up our executive and we have laid the framework to enable the Club to build on its previous years’ successes and offer an exciting Skating season ahead.
Please remember that we are a volunteer organization; all of our executive members work full-time jobs during the day, and generously give their time to the Club in the evenings and on skating days. We do not have any paid administrative staff or daytime office hours. We only have operating hours during skating sessions, as our ‘office’ is operated by parents who volunteer to be in the arena while their child is skating.
Communication/Contacting Us
The best form of communication is email (glencoeskatingclub@gmail.com ) and we will try our best to respond to your inquiries within 24 hours. This year we will have a new website that will be used for registration and to complete most of our communications. Please make sure that the email and phone number that you supplied on your registration is the correct as this will be the way we will be contacting you. Please visit our site often so you can keep up to date with everything that is going on throughout the season.
Cancellations, Missed Sessions and Refunds
Cancelled sessions due to weather will be made up on a different day but it will depend on ice time availability. We will be using team snap to inform parents if sessions are cancelled due to weather and we will try our best to inform of any cancellations as early as possible.
If your child misses a session due to sickness, vacation, etc., we DO NOT allow them to make it up on another day. Your child is only permitted to attend the day that they registered for. All of our sessions are normally full and we have a limit as to how many we are allowed to have on the ice at a time.
Withdrawal before session starts: A program refund* will be issued for withdrawals after registration but before the first scheduled class begins
Withdrawals will not be permitted after the program start date, except for the following circumstances:
Withdrawal due to injury: Any skater that misses four or more consecutive weeks due to an on-ice injury on a Glencoe Skating Club session is entitled to a credit of 50% of the pro-rated amount of the sessions missed. A doctor’s note must be provided to the Program Convener indicating that the injury is the result of the on-ice activity. The skater must present evidence that the injury occurred during an Glencoe Skating Club session.
Withdrawals for PreCanSkate: A pro-rated refund* will be given to parents of NEW PreCanSkate skaters (aged 3-5) if the refund request is received in writing within 4 weeks of the program start date.
* ALL withdrawals are subject to a $30 processing/administration fee and Skate Canada Fee
Mid-Season Program Transfers:
While program withdrawals are not permitted after session start, a skater MAY transfer from one program to another in the middle of a program season, with no administration fee, when changing skating categories: for example from Star 1 to Star 2. A skater may also transfer between equivalent programs once per season with no administration fee, for scheduling purposes IF there is room on the desired session. Each subsequent transfer after the first would be charged a $30 administration fee. With any program to program transfer any registration payments on the current program will be applied toward the fees for the new program.
The PreStar and StarSkate Program
A fun and challenging program that provides skaters of all ages and abilities with many opportunities to “learn figure skating”
STARSkate stands for Skill – Test – Achievement – Recognition…Skate Canada’s learn to figure skate program. The transition from learning to skate in CanSkate, this program introduces skaters to Interpretive skating, Dance, Free-skating, Stroking and Skating Skills beginning with group lessons at the STAR 1 level (formerly intro-STARSkate).
Benefits
Skaters in STARSkate are able to progress through the program at their own pace, exploring many avenues of interest. STARskate provides the tools for skaters to develop self-confidence, motivation, time management skills and determination. This is where most skaters develop a passion for the sport that carries with them for a lifetime. When your child lands their first jump, executes 3 turns or learns the Dutch Waltz, it is a very exciting time for them. They are learning skills and developing confidence in themselves. Friendships are made, goals are achieved and celebrated as skaters learn about themselves and develop their self-image.
Program Overview:
Interpretive Skating – Encourages skaters to develop their artistic side with movement to music being the main focus.
Dance in the STARskate program consists of 9 testing levels (Star 1-5, Sr. Bronze, Jr./Sr. Silver and Gold with 3-5 dances per level). For the keen dancers, there is also a diamond level with 6 dances. Skaters may challenge the dances for the female steps and/or the male steps. Each dance has specific steps, pattern and music… much like ballroom dancing, except on ice.
Free Skating levels match the dance levels for testing (Star 1-5, Sr. Bronze, Jr./Sr. Silver and Gold). The testing correlates with the STAR competitive program in terms of criteria being taught and executed at these levels. Each Free Skating test consists of 2 parts: Part A – Elements in isolation and Part B – Program.
Skaters may try each part of the test separately if they wish.
Free Skate is a series of jumps, spins, field movements and footwork. When skaters are ready to compete or test, these elements are artistically choreographed to a specific timed piece of music. Examples of these elements your skater will become familiar with are:
Jumps – waltz, salchow, toe loop, loop, flip, lutz
Spins – 2 foot, 1 foot corkscrew, back spin, sit, camel
Field Movements – spiral arabesque, ena bauer, spread eagle, pivot
Footwork – turns, Mohawks, edges, mazurkas, gallops
Skating Skills: is the essence of skating. This program incorporates the language and skills of the sport that make skating unique (loops, counters, rockers, brackets). It’s back to basics with edges and turns for the skaters to have the opportunity to train balance, control and power. They are similar to the dances, but intricacy is increased as well as use of the ice surface. There are 9 tests that follow the same format as Dance and Free Skating (Star 1-5, Sr. Bronze, Jr./Sr. Silver and Gold). For each level there are multiple exercises the skaters must perform solo.
A Gradual Introduction to Competing
STAR provides a gradual introduction to performing elements and programs in a non-competitive environment. It also provides feedback for each element and program component. It focuses entirely on the learning outcomes in long term athlete development (LTAD) while providing a fluid structure for skaters to advance through. Specific criteria are evaluated and calculated for the overall result.
STAR 1 – Introduces skaters to performing elements in a group environment without the anxiety of competition. Skating within a group makes performing fun and removes fears as your coaches are on the ice with you! Focus is on the fundamentals! These skaters receive a report card and a simple ribbon corresponding to their overall assessment rating (Gold, Silver, Bronze or Merit).
STAR 2 – Preserves the rite of passage for skaters to “have their own program.” It introduces performing elements in a program without the anxiety of competition. At this point, the program is used for timing to music, focuses on fundamentals and assesses Skating Skills and Performance/Execution. Like STAR 1, these skaters receive a report card and a simple ribbon corresponding to their overall assessment rating (Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Merit).
STAR 3 – Introduces skaters to performing more challenging elements in a program without the anxiety of competition. Music becomes more important and Interpretation is assessed along with the fundamentals. The Axel jump is encouraged at this level, while trying to remove “axel anxiety” (until it’s consistent, that axel causes everyone stress!) Like STAR 1 & 2, skaters receive a report card and a simple ribbon corresponding to their overall assessment rating (Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Merit).
STAR 2 and 3 may share programs and choreography as skaters are not competing against each other.
STAR 4 – Introduces skaters to performing a program in a competition environment. It combines the CPC marking system with the STAR assessment process to produce a ranking. Execution of an axel is strongly encouraged at this level (even with a fall) to prepare skaters for executing more challenging jumps at higher levels. Skaters receive a report card listing their individual element assessments and rank for their group but no point total or overall assessment (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit and rank in that group on report card).
STAR 5 – Introduces skaters to performing in a competition environment on the CPC system with points scoring. It is like Jr. Bronze except there are only 4 components: Skating Skills, Transitions, Performance/Execution, and Interpretation. Choreography is not scored. This level allows skaters to attempt any two double jumps. Most skaters in this category have a consistent axel and are working on two double jumps.
Skaters Expectations of this program
Etiquette on and off the ice
Some expectations may include:
Hair must be tied back away from face
Skating attire must be worn – no jeans, long scarves, bobby pins, etc.
Skaters must get up promptly after a fall, unless seriously injured.
Skaters who are in a lesson or performing their program, dance or skills to music have right of way
No standing in the middle of the ice
Promote good sportsmanship by encouraging fellow skaters and respecting their work time on the ice.
During practice time, spins should be done towards the middle of the ice and jumps to the perimeter.
Arrive on time
Music rotation
Skates to be put on in the dressing room
Any problems see your coach (if your coach is not coaching at this time, please speak with another coach that is on the ice)
Use time wisely….if not in group/private lesson consult coach as to what to practice.
Parents’ roles and responsibilities
May include the following….
To ensure skaters get to the arena on time
To be supportive, patient and encouraging
To work as a team with the coaching staff and skater to achieve goals
To stay informed on club development and activities
To know the contact person for their skater’s session
To volunteer within the club’s operation
Coaching Fees
Now that your skater is in STARSkate you may want to get some private lessons. A private lesson is a one-on-one lesson with coach and skater, where the coaching fee will be paid by the parent to the coach. Discuss with the coach of your choice the amount of lesson time you would like per session for your skater. These lessons are usually 15 minute time slots, however this can vary depending on the number of skaters a coach has on the session and the fee for lessons depends on the coach’s qualifications and years of experience. Discussing a budget with your coach is very important.
It is up to the parent to make arrangements with the coach for lessons (i.e. type and amount/week) and to discuss fees for lessons (the coach(s) of your choosing will have a fee schedule for you). Parents will also be responsible to pay the coach(es) for time involved in creating their skater’s music, and for coaching at tests or competitions. These fees can be paid directly to the coach who will bill you.
Competition and Seminar Opportunities
There are a few competitions and seminars that skaters will be able to participate in. The eligibility of these vary by skating level. Your coach should communicate with you any opportunities that your skater is eligible for. Please refer to our current season schedule for up-to-date information.
For more information please refer to Skate Ontario’s website. This is a very useful website to keep you up to date on upcoming events.
If you have any questions regarding your skater’s level and eligibility, please speak to your coach.
Volunteering
Skating, like many other group sports, relies upon the commitment of a strong volunteer group. Without the commitment from these volunteers, our programs cannot run. Please consider becoming involved with our organization. If you are interested, please come see us or send us an email!
If you have any questions or concerns during the season, please feel free to send an email or chat with us during your child’s skating session.
To our returning skaters, WELCOME BACK and CONGRATULATIONS on your successes from last season, and all the best for this upcoming season. For those of you who are just joining us, we are glad to have you