Terms used:
Attitude
A position in which the free leg is bent, and brought up, out and behind at a ninety-degree angle to the leg of the skating foot.
Category
The name for each level of competition within a discipline. Examples of categories are STAR 1, STAR 2, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Pre-Novice, etc.
Club
A not-for-profit organization that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs and is managed by a volunteer board of directors.
Competitive Season
July 1 - June 30 of any given year
Data Specialist
An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to calculate the results of sanctioned figure skating competitions.
Evaluator
An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for evaluating assessments in the STAR 6-Gold structure. Evaluators are qualified to assess in one or more disciplines.
Event
The name given to a group of skaters entered in a category. There may be one event per category or several events per category depending on the number of total entries. Each event is independent of the other events within the category.
Events
The name given to a group of skaters entered in a category. There may be one event per category or several events per category depending on the number of total entries. Each event is independent of the other events within the category.
Good Standing
A person who has paid all dues outstanding to Skate Canada, a Club, or a Skating School (as applicable) and whom the Board has not declared not to be in good standing and in the case of Members, a Member whose Membership has not been terminated pursuant to Article 3 hereof [of the bylaws].
Judge
An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to officiate at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
Qualifying Competition
A qualifying event is any competition or any event that qualifies skaters to the sectional championships and higher. These include, without limitation, Sectional Championships, Skate Canada Challenge, Synchronized Regional Championships, Canadian Figure Skating Championships and Canada Cup.
Referee
A referee of an event within a competition is an experienced judge who has received further training to conduct an event and monitor the performance of the panel of judges. Referees are qualified to referee or judge at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
Registration Year
September 1 to August 31 of any given year.
Section
An organization incorporated or organized in a particular province or territory (and in some cases, a combination thereof) strategically aligned with Skate Canada, that may receive funds from provincial or territorial Governmental Authorities and be subject to applicable sport recognition programs and transfer payment arrangements. Each Section is held to the governance and operating requirements of their respective province and / or territory(ies) and is responsible for skating in their respective jurisdictions.
Skate Canada Coach
A skating expert with the required National Coaching Certification Program qualifications to provide a remunerated service at Skate Canada sanctioned clubs and skating schools, both on- and off-ice. These individuals shall have registered, provided full payment and have met all coach registration requirements as set annually by Skate Canada.
Technical Controller
An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for accurate technical panel process and authorizes, corrects, deletes and adds elements to the list of elements performed during an event. Technical controllers are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
Technical Specialist
An individual sixteen years of age or older who identifies elements and levels of difficulty of elements in competition. The technical specialist also identifies falls and illegal elements. Technical specialists are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.
- 1. 2023-2024 Award Criteria for Section Awards
- 2. Section CanSkate Award
- 3. Section STAR Athlete Award
- 4. Section Podium Pathway Athlete Award
- 5. Section Program Assistant Award
- 6. Section Adaptive Skater Award
- 7. Section Adult Skater Award
- 8. Section Volunteer Coach Award
- 9. Section Official Award
- 10. Section Elizabeth Swan Memorial Award
- 11. Section Volunteer Award
- 12. National Volunteer Award
2023-2024 Award Criteria for Section Awards
Note: For all Section Awards, please contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline. A full listing of Section Offices can be found here.
Section CanSkate Award
The purpose of the Section CanSkate Athlete Award is to recognize skaters who have shown enthusiasm and dedication to the CanSkate program throughout the skating season. This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten Sections who meets the following criteria:
Criteria
- Must be enrolled in CanSkate for the current registration year
- Demonstrates a positive attitude
- Demonstrates an eagerness to learn and improve skills
- Is cooperative
- Participates fully
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section STAR Athlete Award
The purpose of the Section STAR Athlete Award is to recognize skaters who have demonstrated determination and commitment to the STAR program. Recipients of this award have displayed passion for the sport and have achieved success throughout the season, not only within the STAR assessment structure, but also with personal skill development and growth.
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten sections.
Criteria
The winner of this award must not have registered or competed in a Podium Pathway (Pre-Novice or higher) category at a Sectional qualifying competition in the current skating season. The winner should also reflect the essence of the STAR program, including:
- Participation
- Achievement
- Personal success
- Displaying spirit and passion for the sport
- Striving for new goals
- Achieving balance within skating and in other areas of life
- Giving back to the sport by assisting at club level (program assistant, volunteering for club events, etc.)
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Podium Pathway Athlete Award
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten sections.
Criteria
- An individual skater who is under the age of 16 as of July 1 of the current competitive season OR a pairs or ice dance team under the age of 18 as of July 1 of the current competitive season
- An individual, pairs, or ice dance team who exhibits spirit, dedication, determination or other favorable qualities
- A minimum pre-novice competitor with a top-ten finish at the Sectional level in the current competitive season
- A positive role model for other athletes
- An individual, pairs or ice dance team who combines off-ice and on-ice training in order to meet his/her/their competitive goals
Each Section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Program Assistant Award
The purpose of the Section Program Assistant Award is to recognize dedicated and passionate program assistants who continuously share Skate Canada's vision with all participants of the program. This award is presented to individuals who are not only great assets to the coaching team on the ice, but also show their commitment off the ice by providing support and assistance to the club and its registrants.
Criteria
A currently active program assistant who:
- Has made a significant contribution to his/her/their club by having assisted skaters, coaches and/or the club executive with programming both on and off the ice
- Is an excellent role model/mentor who inspires others to embrace the joy of skating
- Displays a potential for a long-term commitment to the sport of figure skating in the community in a coaching or volunteer role
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Adaptive Skater Award
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten sections who meets the following criteria:
Criteria
Individuals who
- Participates as an adaptive skater and/or Special Olympics skater.
- Demonstrates a passion for the sport.
- Contributes to a welcoming and positive skating environment.
- Strives for personal growth and new goals.
- Inspires the skating community.
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Adult Skater Award
The Section Adult Skater Award is to recognize Adult skaters who have demonstrated a commitment and passion for the sport. Recipients of this award have displayed passion for the sport and have achieved success throughout the season in relation to their personal skill development, growth, and goals.
Criteria
The winner of this award must:
- Be 18 years of age or older and must not have registered or competed in a Podium Pathway (Pre-Novice or higher) category at a Sectional qualifying competition in the current skating season.
- Reflect the essence of the Active for Life/Competitive for Life pathways:
- Active participation
- Personal success
- Displaying spirit and passion for the sport
- Striving for new goals
- Achieving balance within skating and in other areas of life
- Giving back to the sport
- Be an exemplary role model and inspiration for other volunteers, skaters and/or coaches, officials.
- Show great interest in making the sports' future direction better.
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Volunteer Coach Award
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten sections. It will be given to a coach who has contributed to the coaching community through volunteer efforts at the club, region, section or national level. The focus of this award is on volunteer contributions made by coaches to the sport of skating.
Criteria
- A registered Skate Canada coach in good standing with a minimum NCCP status of CanSkate Coach Certified or Regional Coach (STAR) Certified
- An individual who contributes volunteer time in addition to professional coaching time at the club, region, section or national level
- A coach who inspires others to embrace the joy of skating
- A coach who has demonstrated commitment to the development of the sport of skating
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Official Award
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten sections who meets the following criteria:
Criteria
- A Skate Canada technical representative, evaluator, judge, referee, technical controller, technical specialist or data specialist who is currently registered with Skate Canada
- Active at the Section level or lower for at least five years
- Demonstrates a knowledge of Skate Canada rules, policies, philosophies and programs
- Is keen to share accurate information with other officials, athletes, coaches, parents and administrators with the interest/intent of developing figure skating and figure skaters in Canada
- An individual who has given quality service to the Section and the organization in general
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Elizabeth Swan Memorial Award
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten sections. The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual for his/her/their dedication and contribution to the discipline of synchronized skating in their section.
Criteria
- Active adult volunteer (including officials, event organizers, administrators and representatives, etc.) recognized for his/her contribution to synchronized skating
- Reflect the characteristics of Elizabeth Swan - dedication, perseverance, commitment, passion and spirit
- A strong desire and interest in promoting the sport of synchronized skating within and beyond the skating community
- An individual who is aware of, and supports, the development of all levels of synchronized skating
- An individual who has given at least 2 years to the discipline of synchronized skating in a volunteer capacity
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
Section Volunteer Award
This award will be presented to one person in each of the ten Sections who meets the following criteria:
Criteria
- Active and currently registered adult volunteer whose club and/or region efforts have produced specific, positive results in his/her/their section
- An individual whose contributions reflect passion for the sport and its participants
- An individual who is an exemplary role model for other volunteers, skaters and/or coaches
- Has a minimum of five years of volunteer work in the sport of skating
- Shows an awareness and interest in the future direction of the sport
Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner. Contact your section for nomination forms and nomination deadlines. Each Section may set their own nomination deadline.
National Volunteer Award
This award will be presented at the Skate Canada Ice Summit to one person from each of the ten Sections who meets the following criteria:
Criteria
- Active and currently registered adult volunteer whose efforts have produced specific, positive results in his/her/their section
- An individual whose contributions reflect passion for the sport and its participants
- An individual who is an exemplary role model for other volunteers, skaters and/or coaches
- Has a minimum of ten years volunteer work in the sport of skating
- Shows an awareness and interest in the future direction of the sport
- Embodies and exemplifies Skate Canada values of safety, integrity, collaboration, excellence and innovation
Contact your section for nomination forms. Each section will use its own selection process and will select one winner.