club logo Pembroke Skating Club
P.O.Box 523 Pembroke Ontario CANADA K8A 6X7
skatecanada logo
The National Coaching Certificate Program
Launched in 1970, the NCCP is a partnership between the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and more than 60 national sport organizations and their provincial and territorial sport associations.
As Canada’s recognized training and certification program, the NCCP serves a wide range of coaches – from those who introduce beginners to sport to those working with high performance athletes.
In response to an extensive evaluation, the program has been going through a major re-development since the late 1990s. Key to these changes is a shift in emphasis from “what a coach knows” to “what a coach can do.”
In the new, competency-based system, training and certification programs are based on the clearly defined needs of participants.  This new structure addresses the full range of sports in Canada at various levels of skill and in a variety of settings.
The Coaches
Coaches are an essential part of the Pembroke Skating Club programs.
Coaches not only teach the required skating skills, they teach expression, musicality, choreography, mental preparation, off ice physical training, etc. Over and above this coaches edit music and organize skaters for testing and competitions. Many coaches also volunteer their time to help with club programs and scheduling as well as attending seminars and clinics to keep updated.
Lessons can be taught in group, semi-private or private format. Arrangements are made directly between parents and coach.
Instructor    Mary Lynn DesRoches    CanSkate 1-6,  CanPowerSkate
Coaching since 1984 Eganville, Pembroke, Petawawa (off the ice from 1997- 2007).
Coached Kidskate, Canskate, Intermediate and Seniors up to Junior Silver level (StarSkate/no competitive).
Fully certified NCCP level 2 singles coach.
Certified for Standard First Aid.
Instructor    Sharron Donohue    StarSkate,  Advanced CanSkate
Coaching for 14 years.
StarSkate, all Levels: Singles, Preliminary through to Gold for Skating Skills, Freeskate, Dance, Interpretive, Varsity. Synchronized Skating - Pre-Juvenile through to Senior.
Certified NCCP Level 1, 2, 3
Certified Standard/Emergency First Aid
Instructor    Robin Venasse    StarSkate,  Advanced CanSkate
Coaching since 1989.
CanSkate, AdultSkate, Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Competitive in Dance up to Juvenile level and in Singles up to Novice level
Certified NCCP Level 1 Figure Skating
Certified NCCP Level 2 Singles & Dance
Certified NCCP Level 3 Singles
Certified Standard First Aid
The   CanSkate   Program
CanSkate is Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages.
When you sign up for CanSkate you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. You will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills.

Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach.

Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants.

The coach-to-student ratio is a maximum of 1:10.

Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning.

CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada Skating Programs, and is presented by BMO Financial Group, reflecting their commitment to grassroots development

When you/your child registers for a CanSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanSkate program can include:


· badges
· stickers
· tattoos
· colouring sheets
· parent information sheets
· progress updates and report cards
· special CanSkate events and club functions
· BMO CanSkater of the Year award program
· opportunity to be talent-scouted
· opportunity to participate in a positive healthy lifestyle activity


Program Structure

The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning, with an optional 7th level for skaters who want to move into figure skating. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus. Once the skills on each stage are mastered, a badge is awarded. The series of badges include Stage badges, Fundamental Movement badges and Fitness badges.

CanSkate BADGES

Stage 1 - Balance
Stage 2 - Glide Forward
Stage 3 - Glide Backward
Stage 4 - Edges
Stage 5 - Power
Stage 6 - Speed
Stage 7 - Pre-Preliminary (optional)
Forward
Go Backward
Stop
Turn
Spin
Jump
Fitness I
Fitness II
The   CanPowerSkate   Program
CanPowerSkate is an action-packed, high energy instructional power skating program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance.
Skills, techniques and conditioning drills are taught in a progressive format that emphasizes how the skills apply to game situations. CanPowerSkate provides an alternative to figure skating and is an excellent complement for those athletes playing on hockey or ringette teams. Its unique skill award program provides incentives and motivation for skaters to continue to achieve.
CanPowerSkate is geared to skaters aged approximately six or older who already have basic forward and backward skating skills (they must be able to skate the length of the rink using alternate strides) and are able to stop on command without use of the boards. For safety reasons participants should wear full hockey/ringette equipment that is CSA approved. The coach to skater ratio is 1:10.
CanPowerSkate's Pre-Power is designed for young skaters, approximately four to six years of age who can stand up on skates and move forward (shuffle, walk or glide) who may not be ready for CanPowerSkate Level 1. Pre-Power helps develop basic skating abilities in a power skating-specific environment, including balance skills, forward and backward skating, stopping, turning and agility skills. The curriculum is presented in three progressive levels complete with its own awards to encourage participation and motivate skaters. Pre-Power has been designed to run concurrently with CanSkate sessions.
What are the benefits of Participating in CanPowerSkate?
CanPowerSkate is the only nationally regulated power skating program in Canada. It was developed by a team of hockey, figure skating and ringette experts to teach the fundamentals of power skating in a progressive and sequential manner.
When you/your child registers for a CanPowerSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanPowerSkate program can include:
Participation in a unique skill testing system which includes award bars and ribbons;
Parent information sheets;
Progress updates and report cards;
Special CanPowerSkate events and club functions;
Opportunity to be talent-scouted;
Opportunity to participate in a healthy lifestyle activity;
These are some of the awards and incentives that have been developed to encourage athletes in CanPowerSkate:
CanPowerSkate
Pre-Power Ribbon
CanPowerSkate Participant Badge
CanPowerSkate Badge
How does CanPowerSkate work?
The CanPowerSkate program consists of skills divided into six levels, arranged in progressions gradually increasing in complexity. Levels 1 to 3 focus on the fundamentals of skating, Levels 4 to 6 place additional focus on the acquisition of efficient technique, speed, agility, technical aspects of stride and acceleration and skating with the puck/ring. Skaters are evaluated on skill level and are timed as they perform a test involving skills in a course-like pattern. The skater receives a mark combining his skill performance plus test time. This determines whether the skater receives a Bronze, Silver or Gold award bar for that Level.
Please note: The CanPowerSkate program is exclusive to Skate Canada and is available only to Skate Canada member clubs and sanctioned skating schools. All participants must be registered with Skate Canada. Only Skate Canada member Coaches trained and certified at a CanPowerSkate Coaches Course are qualified to instruct the CanPowerSkate program.
The   StarSkate   Program
Skills, Tests, Achievement, Recognition:
This is what STARSkate is all about!
STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to pursue synchronized skating or pairs skating.

STARSkate has been the mainstay of figure skating in Canada for more than four decades.

When you/your child registers for a STARSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to:
· opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills
· complimentary Gold Test pins
· invitational and interclub competitions, including the national STARSkate championship stream
· specifically designed awards and incentives such as badges, tattoos and stickers
· STARSkate Skater of the Year awards program
· Progress updates and report cards
· Special STARSkate events and club functions
· Opportunity to be talent-scouted
· Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, healthy lifestyle and coping strategies to deal with success and failure.
How STARSkate Works
The STARSkate program consists of figure skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Interpretive. Each area is divided into the following levels:
Primary Level Tests
· Skating Skills: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
· Free Skating: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
· Dance: Preliminary, Junior Bronze
· Interpretive: Introductory
Intermediate Level Tests
· Skating Skills: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
· Free Skating: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
· Dance: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver
· Interpretive: Bronze
Senior Level Tests
· Skating Skills: Senior Silver, Gold
· Free Skating: Senior Silver, Gold
· Dance: Senior Silver, Gold, Diamond
· Interpretive: Silver, Gold
What Options do I have as a STARSkate Athlete?
Once a skater is in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program, there are several of options. Skaters may choose to remain in the STARSkate Program, taking tests (although not mandatory) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program or become involved in synchronized skating, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult or varsity member.
Skating Skills
Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating - edge quality, control, power and speed.

There are 6 Skating Skills tests in the STARSkate program:
· Preliminary
· Junior Bronze
· Senior Bronze
· Junior Silver
· Senior Silver
· Gold
Ice Dance
Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.

The dances in the STARSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters' creativity, artistry and originality.

The Dance Tests are:
· Preliminary
· Junior Bronze
· Senior Bronze
· Junior Silver
· Senior Silver
· Gold
· Diamond
Free Skate
Free skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music.

There are six Free Skating tests in the STARSkate Program:
· Preliminary
· Junior Bronze
· Senior Bronze
· Junior Silver
· Senior Silver
· Gold
Each test consists of 2 parts - Elements in Isolation and a Free Program.
Interpretive
The objective of the Interpretive program is to encourage and develop skaters' creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements.

The Interpretive tests consist of skating to and interpreting a piece of music 2.0 to 3.0 minutes (+/- 10 seconds) in length. Skaters can take Interpretive tests as individuals and/or as a couple (male/female, female/female or male/male) at four levels:
· Introductory
· Bronze
· Silver
· Gold
Competitions for STARSkate Athletes
STARSkate participants love to compete! Our feedback indicates that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this.
Club Competitions
Clubs offer competitions for their own members to compete against each other. The club determines the categories which generally follow Skate Canada STARSkate guidelines (e.g. length of program, category name, type of event offered, etc.) The club may also offer other creative events such as longest shoot-the-duck, similar pairs, spins and jumps, etc.)
STARSkate Interclub Competitions
These are events involving a number of clubs in the same region or area. The competition categories offered generally fall in line with the applicable Skate Canada Section specifications, so that all Interclubs within the Section are standardized (this allows Skate Canada Sections to offer a Section Final). The National STARSkate Interclub Championship stream provides opportunities for skaters who want to remain in the STARSkate program but also want to have the challenge of competing up to a national level in a credible, nationally standardized event.
Invitational Competitions
These are events coordinated by a Section or Club(s) and offered, generally, to STARSkaters and competitive. Most events fall within Skate Canada's specifications regarding program length and eligibility to compete. For more information contact the hosting Section or club.
Website Designer ggpurvis@homeground.ca