High School Skating

Western Ontario High School Skating Invitational 2009

Holy Trinity Catholic High School - Holy Trinity Titans win the fifth annual WO High School Skating competition.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 30 schools and 184 students participated in the 5th Annual High School Figure Skating Competition in Aylmer, Western Ontario.

It was a close race between Holy Trinity Titans and Blessed Trinity Blades, with the last team events making the difference. The Holy Trinity Titans improved their 9th place finish from 2007-2008 to capture the High School Championship.

Individual results for the event

Overall School Standings

Holy Trinity Titans - 1st
BT Blades - 2nd	Holy Cross Ice Raiders - 3rd
Leamington Lions - 4th	TFSS Trojans - 5th (tie)

Messages received from participants after the WO High School Invitational - we appreciated hearing from you!!

“Thanks for another great competition. Our team had a new member this year and she was worried about coming so close to Boston Pizza this weekend. She had a great day and was happy she came. You and your committee deserve a huge pat on the back for giving our skaters such a great opportunity to represent their schools in sport they love. Thanks also to all the officials for volunteering another day to benefit our kids. I speak for our Ice Raider parents and skaters when I say that all of you and your efforts are greatly appreciated.” Holy Cross Ice Raider parent

“Congratulations to all involved on a job well done! The day was a success and the girls had a blast. The High School competition is a fantastic event and one that the girls look forward to all school year. It is one of the only chances for some of these girls to be involved in a high school team and be part of the school athletics. More importantly, it brings a bit of ‘team’ into an otherwise individual sport, allowing the girls to bet better acquainted with one another.” BT Blades parent

“I just wanted to tell you how impressed the skaters, parents and I were with the WO High School Invitational. It was very well run. Everyone was friendly. We had a great time for our first experience and are very excited about next year. From my perspective as a former coach and present-day teacher-advisor, the invitational provides a very positive team atmosphere where everyone can skate at their own level and still be part of the team. Thanks to all who worked so hard to organize this event.” St. Marys DCVI teacher

“On behalf of the TFSS Trojans, we would just like to thank you for the amazing competition. We had so much fun and we’re definitely coming back next year!” TFSS Trojan skater

Description of Event

Based on the successful high school figure skating event model currently used in 3 school districts in Eastern Ontario and Quebec since 2001, this invitational is a team competition, in which skaters compete in individual and team events, earning team points that will determine an overall high school team winner. Medals and a team trophy will be awarded.

High schools from across the Western Ontario Section are cordially invited to participate in this event, the first of its kind in this area. Schools will field a team of minimum 2 to a maximum of 12 figure skaters currently enrolled as full-time students from Grades 9 - 12, who are members of a local Skate Canada club.

Coaching/Training of Teams

Events currently included in the competition are those which can be practiced individually. As team members will already be actively skating/training at their own Skate Canada club, additional coaching or training within the school is not mandatory.

Insurance

Skate Canada members are covered under the Skate Canada Group Accidental Insurance policy. School staff and/or parent volunteers involved with the event would be covered under the normal School Board Insurance coverage for out-of-school activities.

What Does a High School Figure Skating Competition Do for Students and Schools?

• Provides incentive for teenaged skaters to remain active in a positive activity while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Last year there were over 1000 registered high school aged figure skaters in Ontario.
• Provides skaters the opportunity to represent their school.
• Builds self-esteem, gives recognition to skaters as athletes among their school peers.
• Encourages high school figure skaters to continue in their chosen sport - and consider pursuing varsity skating.
• This event is a team competition, in which both test level and competitive level skaters compete in individual and team events, earning team points that will determine an overall winning high school team.
• By creating an opportunity for high school skaters to be recognized by their peers within the school, similar to football, basketball and track athletes, Skate Canada Western Ontario and Skate Canada hope to encourage teenage figure skating athletes to continue on in the sport they enjoyed as children and to promote overall active living through to adulthood.