Judges & Evaluators Main Page & Announcements
Updated January 31, 2012
- Main Page & Announcements
- Officials Committee, Judges Qualified to Perform Supervised Evaluations
- How to Become a Judge or Evaluator
- Clinics, Trial Judging, Judges' Exams, Skate Canada Report Forms
- Rule Highlights
- WO Technical Site - WO Section, Skate Canada and ISU documentation for STARSkate, competitive, synchro, varsity, Special Olympics, adult skating events, etc.
- Officials Newsletters & Archive
- Tips for Club Test Chairs
Announcements
Clinics -
In December, another Primary - Juvenile Evaluator/Judge clinic was held with 7 attendees. We welcome these new officials and look forward to seeing them at test days and competitions in the near future. If you are interested in a particular clinic, please email Virginia Gillham.
Volunteering -
One of the events at the WOS AGM is volunteer recognition, including presentation of 25 and 50 year Skate Canada Volunteer pins. In order to track our officials and submit the correct information to the Section Office, if you haven't already done so, please email Diane Jamieson and inform her as to when you started volunteering in skating - NOT when you started judging in skating, but this can include other involvement in our sport - as an amateur coach/program assistant, Board Member, etc. PRIOR to beginning your officiating.
In Sympathy - It is with heavy hearts that we experienced the passing of Officials Betsy Steele and Evelyn Bastow, and WOS Board Member Ted Dodman.
Have You Moved? Have You Changed your Email Address, or Your Name? Life events can catch up with us. Do remember to update the Section AND Skate Canada so we can stay in touch with you, and our test chairs can contact you! Please contact:
- Virginia Gillham, WO Officials Committee, virginiagillham@aol.com (She keeps the Master List up to date!)
- Skate Canada - skatecanada@skatecanada.ca
Skate Canada Update - In April 2011, the Board passed a motion approving STARSkate test regulation changes which included new test standards and subsequently new equivalencies between competitive tests and STARSkate tests. The Board approved this motion effective July 1, 2011 which effectively excluded skaters from these new equivalencies who passed their tests prior to July 1, 2011.
On October 1, 2011, the Board also approved a Competition Restructuring proposal which included the elimination of competitive tests on July 1, 2012. The result of these two motions is that it became possible that some skaters who are qualified to compete in a category may no longer be qualified after July 1, 2012. For example, a skater who passed a Novice Competitive singles test in April 2011, but who has not passed a Gold Free Skating test, would not be eligible to compete in Novice singles. The same situation could exist for skaters who have passed competitive ice dance and pair tests.
Because skaters will begin working towards next season with the completion of Sectionals and Challenge, it was important to deal with this item promptly so that we can communicate this decision immediately to coaches and athletes. The motion approved by the Board of Directors allows for all skaters who have passed, or will pass, a competitive test to be grandfathered to the appropriate STARSkate test so as to allow them to remain qualified to compete in that category.
The following equivalencies would apply for all skaters:
- Juvenile Competitive Singles Test = Junior Silver Free Skating Test
- Pre-Novice Competitive Singles Test = Senior Silver Free Skating Test
- Nov/Jr/Sr Competitive Singles Test Gold Free Skating Test
- Juvenile, Pre-Novice Competitive Pair test = Jr. Bronze Free Skating Test
- Nov/Jr/Sr Competitive Pair Test = Gold Free Skating Test
- Pre-Novice Competitive Dance Test = (Not required due to current structure)
- Nov/Jr/Sr Competitive Dance Test = Gold Dance Test
CanSkate Clarification - The following are the requirements for "CanSkate" events at all competitions:
- 3 jumps (waltz/Salchow/toe loop only)
- 1 spin (upright only, fwd or bwk spin)
- 1 fwd spiral (any attempt is accepted, no time or edge or height requirement)
- NOTE: half loop, half flip, half Lutz jumps are not allowed and IF included will take up a jump site and will be given no credit from the judges.
- NOTE: bunny hop/split jump/falling leafs etc. are NOT considered as jumps, and are to be considered as transitions from the judges.
Please note: you are allowed to do jumps in combination/sequence BUT you are only allowed 3 jump sites and if you repeat any jump it MUST be in combo or sequence.
Spring Promotions - Anyone applying for a Jr/Sr singles, dance, pairs, Sectional Referee, please contact Susan Blatz, WO Judges’ chair by January 20th, 2012 to indicate your workbook and judging reports are completed. Arrangements can be made for the material to be reviewed.
2011 Skate Canada Judges' Exams AND Skate Canada Judges' Report Forms - Current judging exams (singles, pairs and dance) and report forms for trial judging (Trial Judging Report) and judging at your level (Detailed Assessment of Judging Performance) are posted at the bottom of the Clinics & Trial Judging page.
Event Referees & Tech Reps re Referee's Reports -
Event Referees must inform the Tech. Rep. of a competition if he/she needs Referee Reports in order to write trial judging or judging reports. The Tech. Rep. will inform/provide a list of events that require this documentation to the Chief DS of the competition. If it is a "last minute" request, the Referee may also inform the DS on the panel that he/she needs a Refs report. The DS may choose to print it on the judges' stand at the end of the event.
NEW! Planned Program Sheet for freeskate tests in WOS -
As of September 21, 2011 please be advised that for all Skate Canada freeskate tests conducted in WOS, coaches/skaters are requested to submit a completed Planned Program Sheet to the Test Chair prior to the test day. On the test day, the Test Chair will provide the Evaluator with the Planned Program sheets prior to the skater commencing the freeskate test.
We're becoming more GREEN! Bring a Flash drive! -
If you are requesting trial judging and/or judging reports at a competition, there is now a new format to save your JPRs. A new copier/scanner/printer has been purchased for the officials room at competitions with a USB flash drive port to scan your sheets and save them onto a flash drive (only need a 1 mg drive). After saving your JPRs onto your flash drive, give your original JPRs to the referee along with a copy of the assessment form. Many thanks for considering this request to help us cut down on the amount of paper we consume at competitions.
Synchro Update -
Novice and Junior Synchro Clinics are being planned and will be communicated once the dates have been set.
Communication to Test Chairs -
Evaluators are asked to remind Test Chairs to rotate/invite different evaluators at test sessions rather than using the SAME evaluator. Newly qualified evaluators as well as current evaluators need to develop/remain consistent with the standards and this comes with experience, and this is a challenge when the same evaluator goes to the same clubs every test day. Thanks for helping pass along this message!
WO Officials Newsletters & Archive - Your Officials' Committee has prepared an email list (thanks, Andrea!) and will be making every effort to stay in touch with you throughout the skating season through these emails. A number of announcements from these will be added to this site, and updated as appropriate. Please let us know if your email address changes!
Keeping Yourself Updated -
Technical Documents for the 2011-2012 Season - As per Skate Canada's Official's Code of Ethics, all officials must ensure that they are up to date with new rule changes before arriving at this season's competitions (both from Skate Canada and the ISU), and be familiar with program requirements, etc. Officials are reminded to download and print all documents that they need as they WILL NOT be supplied at the competitions. Only the officiating schedule will be provided to officials. Check the WO Technical Site for lists and links. Editor's note: considering how much paper is recycled after each season, methinks it's time to seriously consider an iPad or tablet!! Actually, laptops work OK too - but not on the judges' stand :-(
Promotion Information -
To determine what is required for a promotion, go to Skate Canada's website, log in to Members Only and follow the path: Members> Officials> Officials Definitions Application and Qualifications Policy. This is a 30 page document so go to the next page by clicking on the arrow at the top of the document itself.
Timelines for Submitting for Promotion
- Sr. Bronze Evaluator and/or Juvenile Judge submissions may be made at any time to Charlene Jordan
- Gold Evaluator and/or Novice Judge submissions may be made at any time to Melissa Stevenson.
- Junior & Senior Judge submissions may be made at any time to Sabrina. Submissions to Skate Canada are in spring and fall.
Tech Reps for 2011-2012 - Thank you to these officials for taking on this very busy role!!!
- Spring Fling 2011 - Charlene Jordan
- Summer Sizzle - Charlene Jordan
- Isabelle Henderson - Trevor Crowe
- WO Sectionals - Sabrina Wong
- John McKay - Roblyn Partridge
- Charlie Dover - Laurie Goulet
- Pat Abela/Lyle McPhedran - Sandi Wickett
- Dennis Silverthorne - Andrea Derby
- OUA Finals - Virginia Gillham
- WO STARSkate Championships - Sandi Wickett
- Futures East - Dennis Will
- Futures North - Sheri Bradshaw
- Futures West - Sharon LaPier
- Special Olympics - Sheri Bradshaw
- High School - Sharon LaPier
- Spring Fling 2012 - cancelled
- Synchro Competitions
- Bill Philips Memorial - Fred Saretz
- Lloyd Ogilvie Memorial - Shellee Niznik
- Bert Winfield Memorial - Mary Burdon
Which Categories Will be Held at WO Competitions?
STARSkate Evaluators, NEW STARSkate Freeskate Test Sheets as of July 1st - NEW test sheets are now in place for free skating tests (free program portion only) at all levels: Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver and Gold. The elements portion of free skate tests will remain the very same, however there are MAJOR changes to the program aspect as it has been aligned to reflect the CPC (code of points) judging system we use in competition.
Please have a look at the following so you know what to expect as you prepare for your next test day.
Skate Canada has provided the following documents. See the WO Technical Page for these and other technical documents for the coming season.
All test sheets can be found on the Skate Canada Members Only website.
Please ensure that you're using the new sheets. When accepting an evaluating invitation, you might mention the new sheets to the test chair too.
Feel free to contact the WOS Officials Committee with any questions or concerns. For those who have already been involved with CPC judging – it will be fairly straight forward, however for those of us who haven’t had that opportunity, this could prove to be a little daunting. Again – please let us know and we will work with you to make sure you are provided an opportunity to acquire the necessary experience to go forward.
Reminders
Official's Registration -
Please ensure that you're registered with a Skate Canada club prior to the September 1st deadline! From Members Services at Skate Canada: "Skate Canada’s membership year runs from September 1 to August 31. Every Official must be registered for the current membership year before taking part in Skate Canada’s programs, officiating tests or updating qualification."
Competition ID Badges - If you need a new WO ID badge for this year please contact Susan Blatz. She will request these from the WOS office. The most recent, issued last season, has an expiry date of August 2012.
Test Sheets: Please ensure that the test sheets are completed
fully, with all check boxes complete, and with comments to justify
the evaluation. This is especially important whenever you must
give an "NI" evaluation. Remember that the feedback should be
specific rather than general, and constructive rather than destructive.
If Asked to Officiate Out of Section - If you are asked by another section for a test day or competition, make sure that the person requesting you has already received permission from Susan Blatz for you to attend.
The Duties of Officials Section of Skate Canada's Policies and Procedures states the following: 3.7 Requests for an evaluator, judge, technical specialist or technical controller from another Section shall only be made through the appropriate Section Evaluators / Judges Chair.
Officials Deportment
We would like to take this opportunity at the beginning of the season to remind all Officials of Skate Canada's Officials' Code of Ethics which you have signed, and review some deportment points. Take a few moments to refamiliarize yourself with it.
The success of Skate Canada is largely dependent on the image all Officials present to our skating family, volunteers and service providers. The skating community is a very small circle of friends and family. In the age of social networking, in addition to the physical time we spend together in an arena, we also spend a lot of virtual time together on social networking websites. As officials, we should always use very strong judgment when using social networking websites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter to publicly express our thoughts as they pertain to situations or outcomes of skating events at which we are acting/have acted as an official. We should always remember that we are representatives of Skate Canada and the Western Ontario Section, and we have an obligation as officials to promote Skate Canada and its programs and the sport of skating in general to the public, both in our actions and our words (verbal and written). As officials, we are to represent Skate Canada in a respectful manner, and to ensure that messages given are consistent with the mission of the Association and in compliance with all Skate Canada rules, policies and procedures.
Our perception to the public is always under scrutiny, and while on-site at competitions and events we should always remember to exercise appropriate discretion when speaking with other competition stakeholders (skaters, parents and coaches) within the skating family. Exercising good judgment in how and when we interact with other competition stakeholders at an event goes a long way in promoting the spirit of fair play and reducing any perceived biases that may be associated with such actions. Additionally, it is important to exercise discretion when using mobile phones during an event and to make sure that we do not take calls or send text messages while we are on the panel officiating.
Our professional image is represented not only by our conduct but also by the way we dress. Officials play an important role in demonstrating the respect we all share toward the competitors and the competition process. Certain guidelines should be used to determine what is appropriate attire to wear during a large invitational event or qualifying competition such as WOS Sectionals. While recognizing that temperatures in the arena aren’t necessarily conducive for high-fashion, a basic level of casual business attire that balances professionalism and comfort should be worn in order to present a professional image to the stakeholders at an event. This does not include the following:
- torn, ripped or worn/weathered jeans
- casual sweatshirts or t-shirts with logos
- clothing that resembles pyjamas or lounge wear (i.e. sweat pants or track suits)
- very short skirts and dresses
- very tight hosery or leggings only
- flip flops, running shoes, rain boots, or large galoshes
~ With thanks to Andrew Bosco, National Judge, from the WO Officials Newsletter #2, August 2011
Recent WO Evaluator & Judge Promotions - CONGRATULATIONS!
- Preliminary Evaluator: Lisa Macleod, Taylor Morell
- Primary Judge: Karrie Unrau, Anne-Marie van der Zalm, ArLene Holek and Nidhi Juthani
- Senior Singles: Sandi Wickett
- Novice synchro: Krisytn Moir
- Interclub referee, Singles: Donna Fedorkow
- Level One Technical Official: Nancy Ravenhorst, Laurie Goulet, Danielle MacFarlane and Cheri Alexander
- TS, Singles - William Lindsay
- TS, Dance - Emily Stoll
- TS, Pairs - Trevor Crowe
Notes to Competition Tech Reps
Along with the many other duties of the Tech Rep, as listed in
the Rulebook, there are a number of duties that over the past
years, that have frequently been voluntarily performed by the Chief
and/or Computer Data Specialist. Specifically, the flighting of
the skaters, and the draws within the flights, were easily performed
using the “Skater” registration software. However,
“Skater” can no longer be used and there is no way
for the data specialists to automatically do the draws. Unfortunately,
we’re back to the old-fashioned way, so please discuss
this situation with your Chief Data Specialist and be prepared
to manage these activities.
For qualifying events, please attempt
to use Sectional level referees. This is especially important
if there are judges on the panel who will be needing reports written.
Under no circumstances may a judge
officiate above their qualification level! If you are assigned to an
event for which you are not qualified, please inform the Tech
Rep as soon as possible, and DO NOT judge the event!
|
