INSPIRING
ALL CANADIANS
TO EMBRACE THE
JOY OF SKATING
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
REMEMBERING BETHANY TORY
The collective Skate Canada family suffered a profound loss when Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bethany Tory passed
away suddenly on April 21 in Ottawa.
Bethany was just 44 years of age.
A former skater and coach, Bethany took on her COO role with energy, determination and a fiery resolve, and was a
champion for alignment and collaborative team effort to move Skate Canada forward.
Using an enthusiastic approach and forward thinking, Bethany believed in transparency and open communication with our
clubs and sections, establishing trust through positive change, innovation and brainstorming.
During her short time with Skate Canada, Bethany’s passion and energy pushed those around her to reach for the stars
and achieve their goals, changing the overall culture of the organization while streamlining our priorities.
Bethany will be missed by the entire Skate Canada family, but the legacy she leaves behind will inspire the organization
collectively for many years to come.
On the heels of an incredibly successful Olympic season, Skate
Canada rallied behind the new Strategic Plan to build on the next
four years. This past season, Skate Canada came together at all
levels and our organizational strength shone through in most
instances meeting, and even exceeding our goals. Last year, the
strategic planning process set forth bold, yet achievable goals
for the next quadrennial in our 2014-2018 Strategic Plan, and
identified the steps required to achieve them.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SKATE CANADA
Within the most fundamental development stage, the
grassroots level, we’ve experienced some great progression
this season. This year marked the first season of full
implementation of the new CanSkate program, and we’ve
had fantastic reactions. Our clubs have adopted the new
program in a confident and professional manner. Children
and parents alike are amazed by the flow and level of fun,
and resulting strides in growth coming from this program.
Once again our team worked with sections, clubs and of
course our thousands of volunteers to plan and execute
key events. Without the support of these partners no
event would be possible. In addition to our regular event
schedule, we were able to host teams from 20 nations
for an unforgettable week at the 2015 ISU World
Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Ontario,
leading us to break the attendance record for this event in
North America, and earning high praise from fans around
the world.
At the other end of the long-term athlete development
model, athletes who competed internationally for Canada
contributed to medal totals in the double-digits at
international competitions this season. To top it off,
Canadian skaters earned the world title in pair skating and
in synchronized skating, and a bronze medal in ice dance.
In junior, Canadian skaters also earned podium finishes
with a silver medal in pair and a bronze medal in synchronized skating, showing our indelible passion of skating to
win. In addition, two of our National Performance Centres
opened this season, further boosting support of the Skate
to Win imperative.
Technologically, we continued working to provide all
stakeholders with high quality, secure, scalable, and bestin-class tools. New systems have been adapted this past
season with the goal in mind to push our association to the
forefront of modern technology, a goal which continues to
be a top priority.
The support from all stakeholders and levels of governance
has significantly helped to motivate our efforts to continue on
a path of excellence. As we continue to Inspire all Canadians
to Embrace the Joy of Skating, we look forward to doing so
hand-in-hand, with our numerous Partners in Progress.
Furthermore, we’ve intensified our focus on Skating for
Life, sharing stories from our incredible skating family
and motivating those not only from within our circles, but
externally, to join in on sharing and growing our passion.
The Skate Canada brand has continued to expand its
reach through numerous communications tools, reflecting
our values nationwide, and increasing prospective
partnership value.
SKATE CANADA
Leanna Caron
President, Skate Canada
2
Dan Thompson
CEO, Skate Canada
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
SKATE CANADA
3
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
As a community we have embarked on a bold new vision to
ensure that Canadians are inspired to skate and embrace
our land of frozen water. Whether you are new to Canada
or a 10th generation citizen learning to skate at some point
in your life skating is a rite of passage to be truly Canadian
and embrace Canadian winters. In today’s society with a
divergence of interests we are competing with young
families for their hearts and share of mind through
participation. There are just so many things to do and so
many distractions in everyday life in Canada. As a
community we need to be aligned ensuring that our vision
Inspiring all Canadians to Embrace the Joy of Skating is
embraced right across our great country and that we keep
the right balance between skate to win and skate for life.
collaboration. Our strategic plan is only as good as the
alignment that is created at the national level and its
connection to the operating culture at the club and section
level. We need as a community to ensure that we speak
with one voice and that our vision is pulling us to align
through one plan – one strategy. We need to create a
common force working collaboratively to align our four
major aspirations around; reach, performance, awareness
and financial success. These aspirations in turn need to be
linked to the goals and outcomes of our strategic
imperatives of partnerships, brand, skate to win, skate for
life and delivery capacity.
Our work through our sectional strategic planning project
has been very rewarding in helping to create awareness of
the strategic imperative goals and outcomes and how the
sections and hence the clubs can support the process.
Last year we visited six sections conducting strategic
planning sessions with the main goal of stimulating
alignment and collaboration. Our aim is to have our 13
sections all aligned with clear goals and outcomes on the
five strategic imperatives. We will continue this work
ensuring that programming and funding models are
seamlessly aligned enabling Skate Canada to identify and
support the athlete development pathway as well as the
business health of our clubs.
Strategic plans are living breathing documents, which need
constant input and refinement. The Skate Canada 2014 to
2018 Strategic Plan has evolved over the past year, time
has been spent conducting analysis, creating common
understanding among stakeholders, exploring various
implementation models and reaffirming our strategic
directions. This was also a year to evaluate and ensure that
foundational systems were in place to support the strategic
plan and the needs of Skate Canada going forward.
The last year we also spent time working with our skating
community at the section level ensuring alignment and
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
FIVE STRATEGIC
IMPERATIVES
PARTNERSHIPS
Building relationships and partnerships with
individuals, corporations, media, educational
institutions, government, the arts and other sport
organizations to create added-value for members.
“Skate Canada Saskatchewan’s
Strategic Plan is a work in
progress. Norm and Bethany came
to Saskatchewan in December and
did an extraordinary job of
facilitating the development of our
Strategic Plan. We quickly realized
that collaborative dialogue is a
powerful tool. As we pushed
forward and were challenged we
discovered the results were
amazing and unexpected. Working
together uncovered a multitude of
ideas that were incorporated into
our draft Strategic Plan. As we
continue to work toward finalizing
and implementation of our Strategic
Plan at our annual June planning
session, our goal will be to ensure
that the tasks and initiatives
identified can be reasonably
completed while still running the
business of our Section.
Collaborative dialogue will be key
in providing a method of learning
how to balance strategy and action.”
BRAND
Creating a brand driven by innovation and creativity
that captivates consumers and is synonymous with
skating in Canada.
SKATE FOR LIFE
SKATE TO WIN
Delivering best practices
through fun, challenging,
and affordable skating
programs. Supporting,
educating and developing
the coaches to deliver
skating programs.
Supporting optimal training
and performance through a
systematic athlete
development structure and
world-class events.
– Margaret Auringer
Section Chair, Skate Canada Saskatchewan.
DELIVERY CAPACITY
Enhancing delivery through organizational
innovation, continuous improvement of
infrastucture and technology as well as education
and support of delivery stakeholders.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
VISION
Inspiring all Canadians to Embrace the Joy of
Skating
– Sharon Dingle,
Past ChairSkate Canada
Alberta – Northwest Territories/Nunavut.
This bold statement of where we want to go embraces life
in Canada, encourages the wide variety of experiences in
skating and highlights the need for all Canadians to be
physically active.
MISSION
Skate Canada will have a continuing legacy of
champions and be recognized as a leader in the
delivery of skating programs.
“The Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Section spent significant
time this past year working on integrating Skate
Canada’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan into our
business. We focused on the five key strategic
imperatives and it became clear that we are a much
stronger organization if we work together on common
goals and objectives. We are more powerful united in
pursuing our goals to building on the best for a bright
future for our organization and encouraging our
members to embrace the joy of skating.”
The Skate Canada Mission creates a balance between two
of our strategic imperatives; Skate to Win and Skate for
Life and highlights Skate Canada as the brand standard for
skating programs in Canada.
VALUES
Our values help define how we behave, what we
value as an organization and build common
understanding between members, clubs and
sections across the skating community.
Healthy Lifestyle
Skating instills a love of physical activity that contributes to
the health and happiness of all who participate.
– Marc Robichaud
Section Chair, Skate Canada
New Brunswick.
Life Skills
Goal-setting, discipline, perseverance, and lessons about
competing with integrity, winning fairly and losing gracefully
are skills that are valuable in all aspects of life.
Building Community
Pursuing learning and reaching goals in the company of
others creates a sense of community and a willingness to
give back to one’s larger community.
“After unanimously agreeing on Skate Canada New
Brunswick’s new core values, FAIR.E (Fostering
collaboration, Accountability, Inspiring passion &
pride, Respect, Encouraging Excellence), the Board
of Directors was ready to undertake the process of
Strategic Planning. Making sure that all Board
members’ opinions were heard and considered
allowed us to align when building our Strategic Plan.”
Creativity/Innovation
The collaborating process between coach and athlete,
instructor and skater, ice and movement is integral to
innovative physical and aesthetic self-expression.
Excellence
Excellence is being the best skater, competitor, coach,
official, administrator or leader you can be.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
2014 - 2015 STRATEGIC
REPORT CARD
In order for a strategic plan to be successful, there must be the ability to monitor and assess progress towards the
strategic aspirations. Systematic monitoring and assessment will allow the implementation to remain focused and provide
discipline. In addition, monitoring allows for the strategy to be adjusted in a timely fashion when appropriate.
As a part of the monitoring of progress of the Strategic Plan, progress towards the 2018 aspirations and objectives of
each of the imperatives will be reported in the Annual Report. What follows is a Year One update on Strategic Plan
objectives:
STRATEGIC ASPIRATIONAL PROGRESS
Aspirations
Primary Measure
Financial
Financial growth
(incremental revenue on baseline).
Reach
Awareness
Performance
2014 Baseline
2015 Progress
2018 Target
$0
$1.25M
$6.4 M
720,927
730,113
1 Million
12%
13%
24%
3 medals
3 medals
3 medals
# of Canadians taught by Skate Canada
under the age of 17.
Aided awareness and brand standard
for skating programs.
World and Olympic medals.
DELIVERY CAPACITY
Many foundational systems underwent updates over the last season with new tools introduced to support the delivery of
programs. The development of the Safe Sport department has increased accountability and provided clubs and sections
with increased resources.
Objective
2014 Baseline
2015 Progress
2018 Target
Increased number of training programs/
participants offered in online format.
1
1
25
Modernization of
Club Delivery
Increase in number of modern modules/
tools available to clubs.
0
1
25
Adherence to Rules
Increase in club/section satisfaction of
accountability, clarity on complaints process,
accessibility of documents
n/a
Policy/rule revisions
in development
75%
On-line Learning
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
SKATE FOR LIFE
Using improved tools and programs, the Skate For Life model continued to grow, the with a focus on increasing parent
knowledge and participation . The expansion of the continuous education program for coaches saw a dramatic increase in
participants.
Objective
Expanded Participation
2014 Baseline
2015 Progress
2018 Target
21%
31%
20% increase
on baseline
*
*
Increase in number of parents who
would refer CanSkate to other parents.
Advanced Skating
Program Retention
As measured by year-over-year retention of
athletes in advanced Skate Canada programs
(post CanSkate).
Coach Support
Increase in number of coaches who participate
in nationally delivered continuous education
273
programs (excluding mandatory programs).
Parent Knowledge
Increase in percentage of parents who know
how to access accurate information to aid
making decisions for their child’s skating.
n/a
121%
increase
41%
25% increase
on baseline
100%
increase
on baseline
25% increase
on baseline
* Data from previous iMIS database and new CRM database are not immediately comparable for such calculations. Baseline and progress will be
reported at a later date.
SKATE TO WIN
The foundational work has been initiated on an athlete pathway alignment strategy, as well as performance centre(s) and
coach mentorship strategies. The performances from the 2014-2015 season demonstrates statistical support for 2018
medal outcomes.
Objective
External Funding
Athlete Performance
Coach Excellence
System Alignment
SKATE CANADA
2014 Baseline
2015 Progress
2018 Target
$0.95M
$1.34M
$2.5M
Increase in number of athletes in each of
the high performance LTAD stages.
64 / 9 / 5
69 / 11 / 4
80 / 10 / 5
Increase in percentage of coaches in the
high performance LTAD stages.
36
38 (6%)
5% increase
0
2
3
Increase in the external funding provided
to support Skate Canada high performance
programs.
Increase in number of formal
NSO-PSO-CSI delivery partnerships.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
BRAND
A benchmark-aided awareness indicator was set with an update scheduled for this spring. A new foundational marketing
structural strategy has been put into place to enhance development in this area.
Objective
Learn-to-skate brand
standard in Canada
2014 Baseline
2015 Progress
2018 Target
12%
Data to come
24%
3+0
4+1
6+1
every 3 years
$0
$50,000
$200,000
$597,513
$567,829
$1M
Year over year increase in quantitative
consumer study of aided awareness
of CanSkate program.
Events and
promotional programs
Stable number of nationally delivered
competitions plus one world championship
every three years.
Content programs
Increase in web and social platform revenues.
Sport brand
Increase in merchandizing sales.
merchandizing program
PARTNERSHIPS
The Skate Canada partnerships strategy has been restructured to focus on internal selling, and content/program
development targeting existing partners. Strategic partnerships have been identified with ice sports and though
partnerships revenue is behind forecast, interest income is ahead of forecast.
Objective
Program Partnerships
2014 Baseline
Increase in number of partnerships with
iconic Canadian stakeholders at premier,
national and supplier levels.
Technology partnerships Increase in number of technology
partnerships to create efficiency and reduce
administrative burden at club, section and
national levels.
Industry/ Academic
partnerships
Revenue
External Leadership
SKATE CANADA
Increase in number of industry and/or
academic partnerships that solve Skate
Canada challenges or create essential insight.
2015 Progress
2018 Target
0
0
4 domestic
+ 1 international
0
1
2
0
1
2
$0.2M
$6.4M
0+3
2+3
Increase incremental revenue over baseline
generated through partnerships, sponsorship,
fund-development and fundraising.
Baseline
To increase Skate Canada’s in leadership
positions nationally (MSOs) and
internationally (ISU) .
9
0+3
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
OPERATIONS BUSINESS UNIT
Focusing on the strategic imperative of delivery capacity, the operations business unit rolled out several new programs to
move forward in this area. With a focus on club delivery, a revamped approach allowed for best-in-class third-party vendors
to partner with Skate Canada in the delivery of club registration. This model has been successful in establishing the first of
what will likely become many trusted partner programs with Uplifter, the new club registration vendor. The launch of the Info
Centre and ZenDesk has continued to improve operational processes, allowing us to better serve the membership with
efficient data while addressing customer queries more accurately.
The creation of an online learning platform is in development and will allow Skate Canada to deliver online, interactive
training modules based on need and user group. This new platform will streamline the training process and accessibility for
our officials, volunteers, sections and club administrators.
With the creation of the Safe Sport department, Skate Canada took its first step towards establishing itself as leaders in
this area. Relationships are evolving, our community is seeking our guidance, and we have a better sense of what the
trajectory looks like to implement a full suite of safe sport tools. In addition, the establishment of the inaugural Enterprise
Risk Management Framework was also put into place.
A clear triumph for the delivery capacity imperative was a review of Skate Canada’s overall insurance program. Following
this review, the organization was able to negotiate a lower rate for insurance premiums that saved more than $400,000 for
members.
Over the last year, Skate Canada has undergone a major technology revitalization project. The IT team continues to work
on this project that will see a move from an equipment and location-based technology strategy towards a cloud-based data
and servicing strategy. This shift is in its initial stages and will allow greater access to fully integrated information for the
entire organization.
MARKETING BUSINESS UNIT
Concentrating on the strategic imperatives of brand and partnerships, the marketing unit moved towards its goal of
creating an innovative brand that resonates with consumers and is synonymous with skating.
To increase awareness of Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program CanSkate, the unit took strides to create
marketing and communications material that told the stories of CanSkate. Skate Canada worked with Those Canadians
Media Group to produce a series of CanSkate Public Service Announcements (PSA). This series of PSA’s highlighted our
gold seal learn-to-skate program focussing on fun, participation and basic skill development. The PSA’s feature NHL and
Olympic hockey player Matt Duchene, Olympic speed skater Ivanie Blondin and Olympic figure skaters Patrick Chan, Tessa
Virtue and Scott Moir, who are all graduates of the CanSkate program.
The critical goal of maintaining and building existing partnerships while developing and establishing new partnerships is a
focus of the organization. Skate Canada has deepened the relationship with Canadian Tire through CanSkate registration
days in Canadian Tire stores. There is also a line of Skate Canada branded merchandise available in Canadian Tire stores,
with direct revenue coming back to the organization. Another partnership to highlight is the on-going work with Hockey
Canada. Together we are piloting different programs across the country to determine how, working together, we can have
kids become better skaters with the end goal of making them skaters for life.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
“My first memories are when my parents signed me up for CanSkate in my
hometown of Haliburton at three or four years old. Those basics that you
learn at CanSkate I think applies to any level of hockey.” — Matt Duchene
2014 Olympic Champion and member of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche
“I wanted to come in every day, I wanted to come and skate, I wanted to learn
all the different skills. I guess I have to owe it to the coaches of CanSkate
because they were really the ones that kept it fun and kept it interesting and
kept wanting me to come back.” — Patrick Chan
2014 Olympic Silver Medallist, Three-time World Champion and Seven-time Canadian Champion
“It’s for me, turned me into the great athlete I am today and I owe it pretty
much all to Canskate.” — Ivanie Blondin
2014 Olympic Speed Skater
“You cannot learn to figure skate or play hockey or anything until you have
done the CanSkate program, you need that basis.” — Scott Moir
2010 Olympic Champion, 2014 Olympic Silver Medallist, Two-time World Champion and Sixtime Canadian Champion (with Tessa Virtue)
“Every footwork sequence we do, every spin, every lift, every move - it all
comes back to the basics, it is all those fundamentals that we learned in
CanSkate.” — Tessa Virtue
2010 Olympic Champion, 2014 Olympic Silver Medallist, Two-time World Champion and Sixtime Canadian Champion (with Scott Moir)
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS
SPORT BUSINESS UNIT
In the Sport business unit, the focus was on the strategic imperatives skate for life and skate to win. Concentrating on
Skate Canada’s vision and strategic plan, the sport division worked on creating and advancing programs that will
encourage all Canadians to embrace the joy of skating.
The skate for life objectives focused on retention of skaters in STARSkate and AdultSkate programs, the development of
the continuous education program for coaches, expanding participation by positive referrals and increasing the parent
knowledge base by providing accurate and accessible information.
For skate to win, the tremendous successes of Skate Canada athletes and coaches spoke volumes, with more athletes
hitting excellence targets than ever before. With the introduction of the High Performance Coach Mentorship Program,
coaches were able to access top-notch professional development opportunities.
Improving lines of communication between sections lead to meeting with the section technical directors to work on better
integration and efficiency regarding system alignment which will see the improved configuration of test regulations and
program delivery within the athlete pathway.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOING FORWARD
Over the next three years, leading to the completion of our strategic plan in 2018, Skate Canada is committed to delivery
on all five of the strategic imperatives.
In 2014, Skate Canada has taken dramatic steps forward in laying the fundamental footing that will allow us to achieve our
goals of becoming the brand standard for learn to skate, to be viewed by all ice sports as the definitive expert in skating,
and to be a valued partner and a leader in every aspect of skating in Canada. We will rely on our partnerships within our
skating family, nurture current external relationships and develop new partnerships that will drive our vision of: Inspiring all
Canadians to Embrace the Joy of Skating.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
2013-2014 SKATE CANADA MAP
OUR MEMBERS, CLUBS &
SCHOOLS, AND COACHES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
MEMBERS
CLUBS & SKATING SCHOOLS
COACHES
British Columbia /
Yukon Territory
17,555
110
475
181,394
1,166
5,537
Alberta /
Northwest Territories /
Nunavut
Newfoundland / Labrador
24,233
164
595
5,497
30
86
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
8,769
123
206
4,510
56
165
Quebec
Northern Ontario
5,595
58
174
40,502
247
1,752
Prince Edward Island
1,611
13
26
Nova Scotia
Central Ontario
30,946
200
803
New Brunswick
Eastern Ontario
Western Ontario
21,137
113
603
SKATE CANADA
15
14,083
86
464
3,367
32
70
3,599
34
91
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
A PAIR OF SKATE CANADA CLUBS
SKATED THEIR HEARTS OUT FOR A
WORTHWHILE CAUSE ON FAMILY DAY.
The Gloucester Skating Club and Skate Oakville, in
partnership with Skate Canada, joined forces February
16th in a joint showing of community spirit during the
inaugural Skate Your Heart Out fundraiser to benefit the
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
In Gloucester, more than 50 enthusiastic skaters took to
the ice at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex to
show their spirit and support the initiative.
Originally, Gloucester hoped to raise $5,000 for the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of Canada, but surpassed that total
by tallying over $7,500 – the highest amount of money
raised in Ottawa for the Foundation during February, which
was Heart Month.
“It really was a great event, with lots of support from our
club,” says Skate Oakville Director of Skating Joni McPhail.
“We are always looking at ways to give back to our
community, and we are extremely proud to benefit the
Heart and Stroke Foundation.”
“I am very proud of our club and the way they rallied around
this event,” says Sheilagh McCaskill, Director of CanSkate
for the Gloucester Skating Club. “Everyone came together
to support this worthwhile cause.”
“For our club, Skate Your Heart Out was quite personal,”
adds McCaskill, who worked closely with Director of
Fundraising Kathleen McGuire to stage the event. “This
cause touches everyone. Almost everyone knows someone,
a family member, a friend, affected by heart disease.”
Cathy Skinner was the leading Gloucester coach
fundraiser, while Annika Ouellet led all skaters in money
raised. The local chapters of the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Canada were also on hand to educate
participants on heart disease.
Funds raised went to research effective treatments for
heart attack and stroke as well as public education on
heart health and disease.
A few hours west, more than 100 participants turned out at
the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville for the
fundraising event, including entire families and many who
were slipping on skates for the first time.
SKATE CANADA
For more information, please visit www.heartandstroke.ca
16
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
VOLUNTEERS
Skate Canada is an organization built on the strength and dedication of the countless volunteers who have committed their
time and effort to the advancement of skating, our nationwide passion. The tireless contributions of our devoted volunteers,
from the grassroots level at local clubs to national and international events, are the true pillars of Skate Canada.
15,000 active volunteers
8,500 volunteer club and section executives
1,500 volunteer officials and judges
950 national event volunteers
14 volunteer national board members
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
AND EMBRACING THE
POWER OF SPORT
The motto is simple yet powerful.
“Regardless of the disability, athletes
with a disability are athletes first.”
It is the message around the Creating Opportunities For
Skaters With A Disability initiative launched by the Skate
Canada Alberta/NWT/Nunavut section two years ago with
a trio of pilot clubs – Extreme Edge SC, Okotoks SC and
Lethbridge SC.
Skate Canada is committed to providing special needs
athletes with program and competitive opportunities, and
the Alberta initiative is engaging skaters with physical
and/or intellectual disabilities.
The program is about inclusion. About opportunities. About
breaking down barriers and opening doors.
“The program has been extremely successful so far, and
continues to grow,” says Lisa Bonderove, Skating &
Programs Coordinator at Skate Canada
Alberta/NWT/Nunavut. “We encourage all clubs, and not
just those in our pilot program, to embrace this initiative
and get involved.”
Research from Statistics Canada shows 14% of
Canadians have a sensory, physical or intellectual disability.
Skate Canada’s Athletes With A Disability programming
model promotes inclusiveness for all athletes, whether their
goals are recreational or competitive athletics.
To date, the AB/NWT/NUN section has secured $67,500 in
funding to support clubs, athletes, the Special Olympics and
the Alberta Sports & Recreation Association for the Blind.
Athletes have the opportunity to choose from any existing
CanSkate or STARSkate session, or have customized
programming and schedules created based on individual
needs and comfort levels.
Athletes are embracing the opportunity to interact with their
fellow skaters, breaking down fear barriers and learning
how to assist their fellow competitors with special needs,
promoting teamwork and creating partnerships.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
“Our short term objectives are to increase awareness,
increase opportunities and increase capacity,” adds
Bonderove. “This initiative is about having the open mind to
accommodate and ensure skating is inclusive for everyone.”
Lethbridge and Extreme Edge both began with six
athletes, and the number of athletes at each club has
soared to over 20.
The AB/NWT/NUN section is currently looking at
expanding the program with phase two of the initiative,
attempting to secure funding for the next four years while
potentially growing to 10 pilot clubs.
Bonderove says it has been rewarding to see athletes
improve their skills on the ice while increasing confidence
and building life skills. Athletes have embraced the
program, whether the goal is a medal performance at the
competitive level, or just reaping the benefits of consistent
physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
It’s the power of skating. And skating, just like all of sport,
is universal, inclusive ... and for everyone.
SKATE CANADA
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
SKATE
FOR LIFE
“I CHEER FOR TRYING MY BEST”:
SPECIAL OLYMPIANS EPITOMIZE
THE SPIRIT AND PASSION OF SPORT
Brothers of sorts, Matthew Lai is nestled up beside his B.C. Special Olympics teammate Eric Pahima on the kiss and cry
bench at the Canada Winter Games, subtly eyeing the two roses clutched in his friend’s right hand.
With a slight, almost inaudible, wisp of sadness in his voice, Matthew leans over and says, “I didn’t get one of those.”
There is no pause. The words are barely out of his mouth, and Eric reaches out and passes a flower to his friend.
“You can have one of mine.”
Instantly, both faces break out in broad, ear-to-ear grins. They hug. Around them, witnesses to this spontaneous act of
kindness look at one another as if to say, “try not to cry. I dare you.”
There is little doubt, little argument, that these Special Olympians help represent the de facto true spirit of the Canada
Winter Games.
It goes without saying that figure skating, by nature, is a sport charged with emotion. Smiles and tears, laughs and hugs,
are a fabric of its soul.
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the love in their eyes. Michael continues to grow into this
wonderful young man, with the biggest heart you’ll ever see.”
But these competitors all wear smiles, teaching us in the
process why we love sport, why we stand and cheer. Not
just for the medals, but for daring to dream, for being
witness to personal triumph and perseverance.
“This has been a tremendous experience for all our athletes,”
says Cathy Skinner of Team Ontario. “It’s incredible. To see
the crowd, even the judges, clapping and cheering means
everything to these athletes. They’re all friends. They want to
sit together. It’s just a life experience that most of them have
never had. They don’t have tears. It’s all about the smiles. If
they haven’t won, one of their friends has.”
The tears? Those were reserved for everyone else in the
building.
“This is what sport is all about – having athletes go out and
perform and do their best,” says Brittany Baril, Special
Olympics coach of Team Newfoundland Labrador. “That is
what these athletes show us. Go out and work your
hardest, give it your all. Nothing else really matters.
“We could all learn from them.”
Like his fellow competitors, Matthew Lai is an entertainer,
and cherishes his time on centre stage. Following his
performances at these Games, he raises his arms to the
heavens in triumph as he skates off, basking in the crowd’s
adulation, in his moment.
“Every so often, all of us can lose our passion along the
way. These athletes remind us how important it is to keep
that passion. They always have it.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to hold it together,” Baril adds. Her
voice begins to waver, and she has to take a breath.
“I like the crowd cheering, when they cheer for Matthew
and his elements,” he says.
“It’s a unique bond we share, and it is very rewarding,” she
continues after a pause. “As a coach, you just want to teach
the love of skating and give something back. That’s what it
is all about. The love of skating, no matter what level.”
“I cheer for the flag of British Columbia. I cheer for trying
my best.”
As it turns out, Matthew left the Games with a gold medal.
The medal, like the score, doesn’t seem to matter as much.
Like Baril, Team B.C. Special Olympics figure skating head
coach Jessica Chapelski has wiped away her fair share of
tears at these Games.
More importantly, he is leaving with his friendships.
His memories.
“I’ve lost count how many times I’ve cried,” admits
Chapelski. “I don’t even try to keep count anymore.”
And his flower.
“These athletes belong here, belong on this team, and it
means the world to them. They are cheered. They feel free.”
Standing alongside the personable Michael Sumner, one of
her athletes from Team Yukon, coach Michelle Semaschuk
has a tough time keeping her emotions in check, as well.
As she speaks, tears well up in her eyes and she stops,
caught up in the emotion of the moment.
As if on cue, Michael leans over and gives his coach a
warm hug, for comfort.
It seems hugs are mandatory here.
“To see this camaraderie, this perseverance, can be
overwhelming,” admits Semaschuk. “You see the passion,
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BRINGING THE JOY
OF SKATING TO NEW
CANADIANS
convenient schedule for participants.
It’s the smiles that bring Grace Madden the most
satisfaction.
Madden says the club was hoping to get 160 participants
during the initial launch of the program. That number has
grown to over 200, and is climbing daily.
Introducing skating to new Canadians is a key strategic
plan initiative of Skate Canada, and Madden, the Executive
Director of the Nepean Skating Club, has been
instrumental in the overwhelming early success of the
club’s Skating Segue Project for Newcomers to Canada.
The program “assists members of ethnic communities to
segue into traditional Canadian recreational activities” by
learning to skate.
“The participants get so much more out of the program
than learning to skate,” adds Madden. “Their confidence
improved, and there is such a sense of accomplishment. As
new Canadians, it really has changed their lives, and it is
wonderful to see.”
The most imposing obstacle for prospective participants
was the fear factor. At the start of the program, just a
handful of adults and children were enrolled. Within a few
short weeks, as progress and confidence grew, more and
more participants came out, including full families.
“It’s been such a positive learning experience for all of us,”
says Madden. “You really see firsthand the difference
skating makes in their lives.
“There is such a sense of accomplishment when you see
those smiles.”
More than half of program participants are over 18 years of
age, with the highest ratio of skaters originally from the
Middle East.
Prior to the project launch, Madden says the club received
several phone inquiries about a program geared to
individuals who originated from countries where skating
was not a part of the national culture. The club explored
options to reach out to those populations and “remove the
obstacles that prevented them from learning to skate.”
What followed was a successful grant application to the
Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund, which
paved the way for the Skating Segue Project.
“We find that parents just want their kids to enjoy the full
Canadian experience, and what is more Canadian than
skating?” adds Madden. “We get a lot of people who say
they admired those who skated, but were afraid they could
never do it. It really is gratifying for the all of us.”
Judging by the smiles, that feeling seems to be mutual.
The program was unveiled in October, led by a team that
included Madden and Project Coordinator Sara Davidson.
Originally modelled as a 12-week project, the club cut the
program to six weeks in January, creating a more
SKATE CANADA
If your club is interested in launching a program for new
Canadians, please email Joan Bard Miller at
jbardmiller@skatecanada.ca
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COACHING
“The CSCU in Quebec City was one of the most intense
training experiences I have ever had as a coach. The
opportunity to interact with some of the best CanSkate
coaches from across Canada was invaluable. With
the official launch of the CanSkate program
in September, I feel that I am now better
equipped to handle any challenge that
other coaches, skaters, clubs and parents
may bring my way. Thank you Skate
Canada for continuing to offer CSCU.’
– Chris Stokes, Coach
Streetsville-Meadowvale Skating Club
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This season, Skate Canada coaches excelled on the international scene, as well as nationally. Canadian coaches
dominated international podium results at the various world championships in senior, junior and synchronized skating. Skate
Canada coaches are coming off an impressive season and with new mentorship, apprenticeship, and continuous education
programs they will be even more prepared as we strive towards having an increased pool of results-producing coaches in
all disciplines, from the grassroots level to high performance.
Aligning Coach Training and Certification Program with Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD)
The future of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) in our sport is shaping up to be exciting and in direct
alignment with Skate Canada’s LTAD model. The Coaching Development Committee endorsed a new vision and
competency-based coach development pathway that will train and certify coaches in contexts specific to the level of
athletes they want to work with.
Although the primary focus is currently at the National Coach level, this is a major change that will positively impact over 5,400
coaches. The next step will be to transition coaches from the current NCCP model to the new NCCP-LTAD aligned model.
Continuous Education Program (CEP)
Participation in the CEP was mandatory this season and over 5,000 Skate Canada coaches had complied with this
requirement leading up to the start of the 2014-2015 membership season. For the 2014-2016 CEP cycle, Skate Canada
partnered with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) to align with their Maintenance of Certification policy in order to
streamline the requirements needed to register as a Skate Canada coaching member, and to also maintain an active
NCCP certification status with the CAC.
CanSkate Coach University Program (CSCU)
Twenty-two coaches from across the country attended the 2014 CanSkate Coach University in Quebec City, an intensive
professional development program offered in both English and French aimed at providing an enriched training of the new
CanSkate program. The program has been in place since 2010 and continues to flourish each year with coaches taking
back key learnings and skills to their clubs and sections.
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COACHING
High Performance Coach Mentorship Program
The High Performance Coach Mentorship Program was launched in October 2014 and provides professional development
opportunities of the highest quality to an identified group of coaches working with train-to-compete level athletes. A select
group of coaches and mentors actively participated in activities that have supported the Daily Training Environment (DTE)
and performance needs of targeted athletes on the high performance pathway during pre-competition, competition, and
post competition phases this past 2014-15 skating season.
Moving forward, Skate Canada’s long-term vision will offer similar mentorship opportunities at all coaching levels. A
framework for a Skate Canada National Mentorship Program is being researched and will be offered to coaches in all
skating disciplines.
National Coach Apprenticeship Program (NCAP)
Sixteen Skate Canada coaches whose primary focus is synchronized skating were selected to participate in this
exclusive professional development opportunity offered in conjunction with the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating
Championships in Hamilton, Ontario. The NCAP was designed for coaches with teams striving to reach the national
podium and higher level competitions. It provided coaches with the opportunity to observe senior world-level teams in a
high-level competitive environment and featured a variety of presentations from world-level coaches, International Skating
Union representatives, and sport science professionals.
Building on this platform, Skate Canada will be offering its first International Coach Apprenticeship Program in conjunction
with the 2015 Skate Canada International in Lethbridge, Alberta.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE
Skate Canada once again had another successful year
on the international skating circuit and also saw great
development at the national level. The 2015 ISU World
Figure Skating Championships saw Meagan Duhamel &
Eric Radford complete an undefeated season winning gold
in pairs and Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje winning bronze
in ice dance. Nexxice was crowned World Champions
in synchronized skating in front of a hometown crowd in
Hamilton, Ontario. At the ISU World Junior Figure Skating
Championships the pair team of Julianne Séguin and
Charlie Bilodeau won the silver medal, while Les Suprêmes
junior won the bronze medal at the ISU World Junior
Synchronized Skating Championships. Skate Canada
qualified the second largest team to the ISU Junior Grand
Prix/ISU Senior Grand Prix Final with three entries in senior
and four in junior, winning both the senior and junior pairs
titles and the senior ice dance title.
SKATE CANADA
The success at the world championships was
foreshadowed by consistent success of Canadian athletes
on the international circuit in all disciplines of singles, pairs,
ice dance, and synchronized skating. During the 20142015 season Canadian athletes won a total of 42 medals.
This is the highest number of medals won by Canadians at
these events since the current ISU competition structure
was put in place in 1998-1999.
Canadian athletes and coaches continue to deliver worldclass performances on the international stage. With the
development of the national performance centre strategy,
coaches and skaters will have more access to tools that
will allow them to maximize growth and overall success.
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CANADIAN
INTERNATIONAL MEDAL
COUNT 2014-2015
EVENT
GOLD
ISU World Figure Skating Championships
SILVER
1
ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships
BRONZE
TOTAL
1
2
1
ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships
1
1
1
ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships
1
1
ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
2
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series
6
2
2
10
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series
6
3
1
10
Senior Internationals
4
3
2
9
Synchronized Internationals
4
1
1
6
Total
24
10
8
42
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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2015 CANADIAN
CHAMPIONS
2015 Canadian Senior Champions
Nam Nguyen – CO – Men’s
Gabrielle Daleman – CO – Women’s
Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford – QC – Pair
Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje – NO – Ice Dance
2015 Canadian Junior Champions
Nicolas Nadeau – QC – Men’s
Selena Zhao – QC – Women’s
Mary Orr & Phelan Simpson – WO – Pair
Brianna Delmaestro & Timothy Lum – BC/YK – Ice Dance
2015 Canadian Novice Champions
Gabriel St-Jean – QC – Men’s
Rachel Pettitt – BC/YK – Women’s
Justine Brasseur & Mathieu Ostiguy – QC – Pair
Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha – QC – Ice Dance
2015 Canadian Pre-Novice Champions
Stephen Gogolev – CO – Men’s
Sarah-Maude Blanchard – QC – Women’s
Hannah Dawson & Daniel Villeneuve – EO – Pair
Arianna Bonneau & Oliver Zhang – QC – Ice Dance
2015 Synchronized Skating Champions
NEXXICE – WO – Senior
Les Suprêmes – QC – Junior
Nova – QC – Open
Évolution – QC – Intermediate
Les Suprêmes – QC – Novice
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NATIONAL
PERFORMANCE
CENTRES
Coaches across the country have had additional resources at their disposal as Skate Canada has begun implementing its
long-term strategy for developing athletes, with the first step in creating a network of national performance centres. This is
one of several activities that will all lead to supporting the best training and performance structure for our athletes to
continue winning Olympic and world medals.
The National Performance Centre strategy includes:
•
•
•
•
•
Support to high performance athletes and coaches;
Support to skaters and coaches on the high performance pathway;
Support for coach development, official development, and parent education;
Support to sections and provinces in aligning and providing resources for skater/coach development;
Support to outlying areas through outreach programs and online resources.
Other pieces of the overarching strategy include expanding the coach excellence program, with experienced mentor
coaches working with younger coaches; a concerted focus to develop more depth at the elite athlete level; and to
integrate sport science and sport medicine into the development of athletes at a much earlier stage.
This year, two national performance centres opened: one in Toronto at York University in partnership with CanLan Ice
Sports Corp, and one in Calgary in partnership with WinSport. Skate Canada plans to open three more locations: in
Montreal, Vancouver, and Atlantic Canada. A website dedicated to the national performance centres has also been created
and is located at npc.skatecanada.ca. The website provides information on the strategy as well as resource tools for
coaches and skaters.
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HALL OF FAME
In 2015 Skate Canada celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Skate Canada Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was
developed in 1990 to pay tribute to athletes, builders and professionals who have made a significant impact on Canadian
figure skating. Since its inception, Skate Canada has inducted 96 members: 44 athletes, 31 builders and 21 professionals.
Skate Canada is committed to celebrating the achievements of the skating community through the Hall of Fame, and
through alumni programs which engage past skaters, officials, coaches and volunteers.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS & EXPENDITURES
2015
2014
Revenue
Total Revenues
17,641,554
17,641,554
16,458,789
16,458,789
Organizational Costs
General & Administrative Costs
Total Expenditures
Increase (Decrease) in Reserve
Administration Overhead as a % of Revenue
13,869,142
3,809,960
17,679,102
(37,548)
21.6%
14,281,512
3,565,044
17,846,556
(1,387,767)
21.7%
$
REVENUE SOURCES
Events
& Development
Competitions
Other
9%
Sponsorship,
Television
& Marketing
11%
8%
14%
3%
Government
& Other Grants
Merchandising
14%
Memberships
& Tests
SKATE CANADA
Investment
Income
41%
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015
President
Leanna Caron
Athlete Representative
Shae Zukiwsky
Past President
Benoît Lavoie
Coaching Representative
Manon Perron
Directors
Kristy Balkwill
Karen Butcher
Traci Fong
Rod Garossino
Leslie Keen
Lorraine Mapoles
Mary Ellen McDonald
Bev Power
Sally Rehorick
Sylvie Simard
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Finance and Risk Management Committee
Mary Ellen McDonald
Governance Committee
Karen Butcher
Membership Policy Committee
Rod Garossino
CEO Operational Review Committee
Leanna Caron
External Relations Committee
Benoît Lavoie
SKATE CANADA SECTIONS
Skate Canada British Columbia / Yukon
www.skatinginbc.com
Skate Canada Central Ontario
www.skatecanada-centralontario.com
Skate Canada Alberta – Northwest Territories /
Nunavut
www.skateabnwtnun.com
Skate Canada Western Ontario
www.skating-wos.on.ca
Skate Canada Québec
www.patinage.qc.ca
Skate Canada Saskatchewan
www.skatecanadasaskatchewan.com
Skate Canada New Brunswick
www.skatenb.org
Skate Canada Manitoba
www.mbskates.ca
Skate Canada Nova Scotia
www.skatecanada.ns.ca
Skate Canada Northern Ontario
www.scno.net
Skate Canada Prince Edward Island
www.skatepei.ca
Skate Canada Eastern Ontario
www.skate-eos.on.ca
SKATE CANADA
Skate Canada Newfoundland & Labrador
www.skating.nf.ca
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015