A few SCNB coaches and volunteers attended the 2022 Skate Canada Ice Summit. We asked them to share take aways from the workshops they attended. Here are some key points they want to share with our skating family:
- Positive Body Image Workshop.
- Did you know that Safe sport includes Positive Body Image?
- Body image refers to thoughts, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours an individual holds towards their body.
- The Skate Canada Body Positive Guidelines hope to aid in fostering positive body image while minimizing negative body image.
- https://skatecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BodyPositiveGuidelines_EN_Dec2.pdf
- Remember to speak up when hearing comments about appearance!
- Digital transformation session. Visions for the future.
- Skate Canada is working on a platform/database where skaters, parents, coaches, Sections will be able to access their profile, history, results (badges to competitions), videos, etc.
- The goal is to move all scoring and videos to every skater’s personal Skate Canada profile.
- It is expected that a new scoring system will be launched in 2023 which will allow for this data to be linked to the SC database.
- Clubs/coaches will be asked to record badges passed in CanSkate/CanPowerSkate in the skater’s profile.
- Clubs will also be asked to make sure their information is up to date.
- Clubs using Uplifter will be able to link to the Skate Canada database which will be useful for Sections to get data (important for provincial funding 😊).
- Skate Canada plans to eventually be able to celebrate skaters’ successes digitally with emails that are sent out when a test is passed, or a badge is passed etc.
- Competitive Scenarios-Lets Learn Together
- Emphasis on the Skate Canada Interruption Rule
- It is important for coaches and skaters to know what type of deductions can be taken at competitions.
- To avoid unnecessary loss of points, various scenarios should be practiced prior to events.
- Emphasis on the Skate Canada Interruption Rule
- Adaptive Skating
- Skate Canada is encouraging the skating family to focus on the 'Say YES' and do what it takes to get any athlete on the ice.
- Skate Canada will work with coaches and clubs to make this happen.
- Changes in the athlete classification are on the horizon. These will allow skaters to compete in the corresponding STAR group.
- Did you know that if a skater requires an aid (person) and if that person is only there to help that skater, he/she/they does not need to be registered with SC?
- Skate Canada is encouraging the skating family to focus on the 'Say YES' and do what it takes to get any athlete on the ice.
- Building towards 2026 with the SC 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
- Skate Canada shared the following. Note that the Strategic Plan will be ready in the Fall.
- Vision – Inspiring everyone to experience the joy of skating
- Mission – Skate Canada will be a leader in the delivery of quality skating programs and continuously develop champions.
- Values – Safety, Excellence, Integrity, Innovation and Collaborative
- Strategic Imperatives – Skating for everyone; Skating for Life; Skating to Win
- Foundational Enablers – Financial Responsibility; Risk Management; Brand & Marketing; Delivering Capacity
- Presented the new logo
- Goal is to make it recognizable without words; hence, the skate and the maple leaf.
- Skate Canada shared the following. Note that the Strategic Plan will be ready in the Fall.
- Holistic Training Environment & Coaching Team Strategies
- Two coaches shared how they were able to enact a teamwork culture at their Club.
- First step for one coach was to have the Club Board of Directors agree to this new structure. This implied that:
- Every coach be part of one team
- All coaches have input on all the skaters.
- Discuss and decide as a team regarding competitions, costumes, music etc.
- Meet once a week regarding teaching techniques: 1 hr on-ice and 1hr off-ice.
- Coaches are used based on their strengths and weaknesses.
- What is important to that team is Family comes first, followed by education and skating.
- Each session is started by a discussion with the athlete on how they are feeling that day.
- Meet with athlete and parents 3 times a year to discuss plans, rest, vacations; focus is on the athlete speaking and giving their input.
- Two coaches shared how they were able to enact a teamwork culture at their Club.
- Align with the Long Term Development
- To create a fun and safe learning environment for skaters, it is recommended for Coaches to work together as a Team. Sharing their knowledge and working our strengths will impact the skater’s development in a positive way when Team Coaching is done appropriately.
- Coaches are the leaders when it comes to implementing LTD.
- The materials available created were made for coaches - easy access and easy to use. BUT, this does not imply that skaters and their families should be ignorant of this material! Working as a team is the best approach!
- Supporting our athletes' Mental Health should be a priority for everyone. Collaboration between Clubs and Coaches is key.
