Speed Skating Canada | Patinage de vitesse Canada
NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011
Speed Skating Canada is pleased to recognize the Government of New Brunswick’s support
LTPAD implementation
OTTAWA – Speed Skate New Brunswick (SSNB) received this month support for its long-term
participation athlete development (LTPAD) initiatives from the Government of New Brunswick in the
form of $10,500 in funding.
Through the provincial government’s Wellness, Culture and Sport ministry, grants are available to
provincial sports organizations assisting in the implementation of long-term athlete development (LTAD).
On behalf of its clubs and membership, SSNB went through the 2011-12 guidelines and applications process and
received the following funding:
 $5,000 to support development and communications of an LTAD alignment plan.
 $2,500 to support SSNB’s LTAD alignment initiatives related to officials development, the long track program and
participation at the Canada East Championships.
 $1,000 to the Fredericton Amateur Speed Skating Club Inc. (FASSCI) for their fundamentals meet and the
implementation of the ‘cutting edge’ program.
 $1,000 to the Hampton Speed Skating Club (HSSC) for the introduction of an off-ice agility, balance, coordination and
speed program for their ‘learn to train’ and ‘train to train’ skaters.
 $1,000 to the Saint John Amateur Speed Skating Club (SJASSC) for the hosting of a fundamentals competition.
“SSNB appreciates the Government of New Brunswick’s support to help align itself with Speed Skate Canada’s LTPAD
model,” said Ray Harris, SSNB chair. “The funding will help us build on the changes already made in terms of our reshaping of the competition format, skater development programs and revised SSNB skater development management
plans.
“The funding received will first and foremost allow our members and key committees to provide input to the alignment
plan, and building on our successes to date,” added Harris. “It will also support the communication of the plan to parents
and volunteers at the club level, where the majority of the development process takes place.”
“The ongoing LTPAD alignment is taking place even as we continue to develop our plans, and some of the support in this
area will help us to re-train officials, support an increased development of the long track program and increase exposure
to the ‘train to train’ Canada-East competition,” notes Peter Steele, SSNB technical director and provincial coach. “In the
short term, we hope to improve the quality of our programs, and in the medium term we hope this will lead to increased
participation and improved on-ice performances.”
“Our club, of 200 skaters and more than 30 officials, is grateful for the work SSC has done on LTPAD and is very thankful
for the government’s support of our sport” said Trevor Corey, chair of the FASSCI. “We will use the funding to hold a
FUNdamentals meet for early skaters and to help fully roll-out the ‘cutting edge program’. The program allows developing
skaters to track progress against specific skills, while the meets provide beginners with opportunities to learn what it is like
to compete in a fun energetic way.”
Nicola Scott, HSSC president, also acknowledged the importance of the government’s contributions towards
implementing LTPAD initiatives. “Ours is a relatively small club of approximately 50 skaters ranging from learn-to-skate to
competitive speed skaters,” said Scott. “For a small club, the $1,000 funding is valuable. We will be able to implement an
off-ice training program that will complement our on-ice training program.”
Similar to the FASSC, the funding will be used by SJASSC to promote the LTPAD through a FUNdamentals meet. “The
funding allows us to host a meet for 78 skaters from our club and around the province,” said association president
Shawna White. “The focus of the meet is definitely on fun, with coaches and volunteers on ice encouraging and helping
the skaters. Everyone is a winner, with ribbons for every placement, and a ribbon board for a keepsake.”
Speed Skating Canada’s Long Term Participant and Athlete Development (LTPAD) model is a framework for training,
competition and recovery for participants in all stages of development. More information on SSC’s LTPAD model and
review of its competitive structure, Racing on Skates, visit LTPAD.
- end For further information:
Phil Legault, Speed Skating Canada
Work: 613-260-3669 ext. 110; plegault@speedskating.ca