PROGRAM ASSISTANTS
Program Assistants are skaters or past skaters who assist with the running of the CanSkate Programs.
These girls are knowledgeable and are capable of demonstrating all skills that are included in the program. They have had some training to assist in the delivery of the program. They enjoy working with young skaters and are committed to helping teach them the basic skills as well as creating an atmosphere of fun and creativity.
Their duties may include:
- Assisting the Professional Coach to deliver the program on and off-ice
- Demonstrating skills and teaching progressions
- Supervising practice time
- Leading warm-ups and cool-downs under the direction of the COACH
- Reinforcing learned skills (follow-up on COACH instruction)
- Leading exercises, drills, games creative expression exercises under the direction of the COACH
- Handing out awards and weekly incentives (ribbons, stickers, badges, etc.), taking attendance
- Assisting with on-ice circuits
- Providing individual and group assistance
- Acting as a role model for young skaters
The Program Assistants are not responsible for teaching a new skill and are not responsible for the delivery of the overall program. Any questions you have should be directed to a COACH or to the Program Co-ordinator.
These Assistants are for the most part volunteers. The skaters who are still members of the Club can obtain Club credits for their commitment – receive a nominal fee per session, which can be, put towards Club expenses e.g. lessons. High school students can use their hours towards their required community volunteer commitment. Some of our Assistants are university students who require involvement in this type of program for their credits.
As you can see, it is not a large monetary gain. Most of the Assistants get involved for the love of skating and the enjoyment they get from working with young children.
STAR SKATERS
The divisions of the Star skaters may be divided into the following levels.
Junior (those working on the Preliminary Free Test, no tests required)
Intermediate (must have passed one Preliminary component; skills, dances(3) or freeskate and working on Jr. or Sr. bronze)
Senior(must have complete Jr. bronze and one Sr. Bronze component: skills, dance(3) or freeskate and working on the Sr. Bronze, Junior & Senior Silver or Gold Tests)
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**There is an arbitrary division of skaters determined by the numbers and levels of skaters in our Club. It could change from year to year, as the dynamics of the Club change**
************* The goal is to progress through the test system designed by Skate Canada.
SELECTING A COACH:
At the beginning of the season it is time to choose a coach for private or small group lessons. If you child has gone through the CanSkate programs, he or she likely knows which coach he or she would like to have. The coach should be one the skater feels comfortable with, and one you both respect as an individual as well as a teacher. You want a coach who treats your child with respect and who is interested in your child’s development as a person as well as a skater.
Lessons are arranged directly with the coach and fees for those lessons are paid directly to the coach after receiving your lesson statement. The Club Coaches have various rates for 15-minute lessons, as well as for other items such as selecting and taping music for your skater, and attendance at competitions and test days. You should feel free to speak with your coach about your skater’s progress and to answer any questions you may have.
TESTS:
Skate Canada our national association has divided each aspect of skating into a series of tests. Tests in Free skate, Dance, Skills, and Pairs range from Preliminary Level to Gold in 6 levels. When a skater enters the Junior Membership he/she starts working towards the Preliminary Free Skate Test, Preliminary Dance Tests and the Preliminary Skills Test. Your coach will let you know when your skater is ready to try a test. It could be a whole season or more, before any tests are ready to try, depending on the level of your skater when entering the test stream. A skater may occasionally not pass a test due to nervousness, etc. so it is important that the test is regarded as a learning experience and that they try their best.
COMPETITIONS:
Your skater may wish to enter a competition. There are several competitions appropriate for the beginer skater e.g. Skate Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Open and Interclub. As a skater progresses there are other more advanced competitions such as Northern Ontario Sectionals, which is the first qualifying event on the way to Canadians. Talk to your coach about the possibilities.