Terms used:

Board

The board of Directors of Skate Canada.

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.

Clubs

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.

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].

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.

Segment

The name given to a portion of an event.  Some categories have two segments (e.g., short program and free program) and some categories have only one segment.

Contents[Hide]

Listed below are the minimum requirements and delivery standards by which clubs and skating schools must abide when offering the PowerSkate program. The advanced delivery standards are optional.

Minimum Requirements

  • At least one Skate Canada NCCP PowerSkate coach (In-training, Trained or Certified) who is registered and in good standing must be on the ice at all times 
  • All coaches and program assistants must be wearing hockey skates or be in a sled (sledge hockey) and must use hockey/ringette sticks and gloves
  • All participants must wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet and must use hockey/ringette sticks and gloves
  • All program assistants (PAs) on the ice must be wearing skates or be in a sled and must be registered with Skate Canada 
  • The PowerSkate program must be operated and delivered in accordance with the minimum delivery standards identified by Skate Canada

Maximum Number of Skaters Per Session

The number of skaters on a session must allow for the following:

  • Promote a safe environment
  • Ensure all skaters have enough room to move freely around the ice and circuits
  • An organized flow of rotation
  • Proper coach/skater ratios

Ideally sessions should not exceed 30 skaters. Clubs or skating schools that wish to offer programs with more than 30 skaters must receive section permission.

Standards

  Minimum Delivery Standards Advanced Delivery Standards
Ratio Minimum 1:30 coach to skater ratio. PA’s recommended 1:10 coach to skater ratio
Movement Minimum 90% movement during the entire session.

Greater than 90% movement throughout the session.


Note: skaters receiving 1 on 1 individual attention do not affect movement percentage, if the rest of the group is moving.

Music   Age appropriate music for the session that is fun, energizing and contains signals to indicate session segment changes ex. Fast Track laps and station rotation
Teaching Aids Use of teaching aids at each station (minimum of marker/signs and pylons) Use of a variety of teaching aids that engages the skaters learning and interest.
Program Assistants

Use Program Assistants as required to meet minimum ratio

Assign a Program Assistant to each group for supervision and assistance. Use additional Program Assistants as required to offer an effective and efficient program.
Program Assistant Training Ensure Program Assistants are trained before assisting on the ice with a minimum of one training. Offer multiple training sessions throughout the season to engage, support and monitor development of the program assistants.

Session Format:

 

Warm Up

Use of full ice

 

Include forward and backward skating in both directions.

All minimum standards plus:

 

  • Inclusion of deep bends
  • Evidence of increased heart rate in participants.

Session Format:

 

Lesson Time

A minimum of 30 mins of lesson time including:

  • 3 rotations to different learning stations
  • Use of circuits to teach and practice skills
  • A minimum 10-minute lesson to each group by a NCCP PowerSkate coach

All minimum standards plus:

  •  Use of circuits designed to fill 1/3 of ice, maximizing ice coverage or adapting the circuits to fill ½ or the full ice surface.  

Session Format:

 

Development Time
Use of Development Time to enhance skills and speed.

All minimum standards plus:

  • Evidence of “challenge” skills
  • Use of continuous lanes or similar

Session Format:

 

Cool Down
Evidence of gliding stretches to increase range of motion and lower heart rate, for example: Toe touch while gliding (hamstring stretch)

All minimum standards plus: 

  • Use of continuous lanes or similar pattern to increase range of motion and balance
  • Use of slower music to support lowered heart rate
Quality Coaching

Coach ensures that each skater in the lesson receives one on one attention on the circuit during the lesson time.  

Coaches know and teach the standards of the skills as per the PowerSkate Resource Toolkit and videos

All minimum standards, plus: 

Coach gives each skater:

  • Individual feedback
  • Individual corrections
  • Individual challenges based on their level of development within their lesson and circuit, without stopping the entire group.
Branding and Marketing

Must advertise and refer to the program as PowerSkate and use the official PowerSkate logo

 Use the official Skate Canada PowerSkate report card (min. 1 per session)

All minimum standards plus: 

  • Use ALL Skate Canada PowerSkate tools and promotional materials
Parent Information Session

Offer a minimum of 1 parent information or interaction session per season. 

Offer a written source of information about the program and other club opportunities (Info letter, website, bulletin board, etc.)

Offer multiple opportunities for parents to connect with CanSkate Coordinators and/or coaches. This could include but is not limited to:

  • In-person information session
  • In-person progress update opportunities
  • In-person “next steps” touch base to guide skaters into next appropriate program (CPS, Figure Skating etc.)
Offer several written sources of information about the program and other club opportunities (inf letter, website, bulletin board, etc.)
Awards

Use official Skate Canada badges and award them at the end of each season. 

Maintain records of the skater’s progress

All minimum standards plus: 

  • Track and maintain records of skater’s progress digitally
Off Ice Classes   Offer off ice classes to increase physical literacy, awareness and coordination