May 2, 2008 Presentation to the Synchronized Skating Community

Hélène Gagnon

Our History 1957 – “Precision” skating was born

1976 – First international Participation of Canadian teams 1977 – Canada host first International competition 1982 – 500+ Teams in Canada!!! 1983 – First Canadian Championships – and the first National Championships

in the World!

1994 – Short program introduced for Senior (1995 for Junior) 1994 – First international competition sanctioned by ISU – hosted by Canada.

2000 – First official World Championships in Minneapolis (Canada = Silver)

2003 – Canada Hosts the World Championships in Ottawa (Canada = Bronze)

2007 – Canada Hosts the World Championships in London (Canada = Bronze) 2008 – We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the National Championship

Sport Canada Mandate:

All sports must develop a detailed LTAD which is designed with the principles of athlete centered development. When design is completed, a sport-specific system of competition must be established that matches the competitive needs of developmental athletes at key stages.

Competition is defined as sanctioned, scheduled competition which contributes to standings or a ranking or qualification and / or leads to a championship. This would not include exhibition games or competitions of less importance which do not affect ranking, standings or qualifying.

What is LTAD? Building the Future (the 6 pillars of LTAD)

Sport Canada has tasked all NSO’s to review:

Participant/athlete developmentCompetition structureCoaching LeadershipSport facilities Sport medicine and sport science

The LTAD stages can be categorized as follows:

The GENERAL Sport Canada Model:

The first 3 encourage physical literacy/ fundamentals) and sport for all:

1.   Active Start2.   FUNdamentals3.   Learning to Train The next 3/4 focus on excellence:4.   Training to Train5.   Training to Compete6.   Training to Win The final stage encourages life-long physical activity:7.   Active for Life  See LTAD illustration of an individual’s participation in lifelong physical activity,

emphasizing the transition from the first 3 LTAD stages to either excellence, life-long participation in the same sport, or remaining active for life in another activity.

Skate Canada’sLTAD Model:

Who fits where?

Singles/ Pairs/ Dance:Under: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20+

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

Age

Learn/Live to WinTrain to Compete LTPDLearn to Compete LTPD

Learn to Train LTPDLearn to Skate LTPD

Who fits where?

Synchronized Skating:

Under: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25+

LTPD

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

Learn/Live to Win

Learn to CompeteTrain to Compete

Age

Learn to SkateLearn to Train

LTPDLTPD

Synchronized Skating is categorized as a LATE SPECIALIZATION sport

LTAD: Learning to SkateOVERVIEW:Focused on FUNLearning basics of all

disciplinesWell structured program

and an introduction of skills is the main focus. Competition is of little importance

Currently: CAN Skate programs/

Pre-Juvenile level

LTAD: Learning to SkateASSESSMENT: Synchro in the CAN Skate

program is not well used in the country

Pre-Juvenile represents 22% of all Synchro teams in Canada

Pre-Juvenile teams in every section

Programs need to be shortened and simplified to allow for reasonable cost to participation while maintaining balance between other sports and other disciplines

LTAD: Learning to TrainOVERVIEW:Continued balance between

skating and other sportsMulti-discipline within

skating – still doing STAR Skate

Introduction to good training practices – on and off ice

Single peak season – one major competition

High training/ Low performance schedules

Low focus on ranking, high focus on skill development

LTAD: Learning to TrainASSESSMENT:Currently:

Festival Juvenile, Festival Pre-Novice

Every section has some teams within the categories in this level

Good level of training time allows for continued skill development in other disciplines and other sports

LTAD: Learning to CompeteOVERVIEW: Implement training programs

to optimize skill development Major fitness development Most growth spurts fall in this

category of training

Sport Specific training 6-9 x’s per weeks (including complementary activity)

Beginning to have more focus on synchro specific goals

Balance between training and performance

Single/ double peak

LTAD: Learning to Compete

LTAD: Training to CompeteOVERVIEW:Sport Specific work –

focused on the synchronized skating discipline

Specific training 9-12 x per week

Overall on-ice and off-ice focused training

Advanced mental skillsMultiple peaking

competitionsSeason with more

performance opportunities than other levels

LTAD: Training to CompeteASSESSMENT:

Currently:Competitive Junior, Competitive

Senior

Performing at the same rate as those in “Learning to Compete” – should be performing or competing more at this level

Should be accessing more ice time at this level then current practice

Off-ice programs are well-rounded in the current teams

LTAD: Learning/ Living to WINOVERVIEW:Total focus on high

performanceFine tuning of physical capacityDevelopment of advanced skills Integrates all aspects of

training and performance enhancement

Multiple periodizationSport specific training 9-15 x

per weekHigh focus on performance in

yearly plan

LTAD: Learning/ Living to WINASSESSMENT: Currently – absent from program

Theoretically this should be the focus of the World Team

Club structure currently limiting the ability of coaches and athletes to access all the enhancement programs required to dominate and focus on winning on the world stage

Insufficient mechanism to bring together the athletes & staff with the skills and commitment necessary to train at this level – we have the people, they are scattered.

LTAD: Active for LifeOVERVIEW: Focus is on physical activity

– regardless of age or skill level

This works better if the athlete has gone through programs in at least “Learn to Train” in any sport

Place for athletes moving from competitive sport to recreational activities

Participants transfer from one sport to others

Level of competition depends on the participant

LTAD: Active for LifeASSESSMENT:Currently Festival Pre-

Novice and all of the Adult categories

Goals and objectives of these categories are not clear

Age categorizations are not completely consistent

Adults have great difficulty in accessing ice time

LTAD: Summary AssessmentLevel Category Grade

Learning to Skate

CanSkate (L4+)Pre-Juvenile

B

Learning to Train

Festival JuvenileFestival Pre-Novice

C

Learning to Compete

Festival JuniorFestival Open, Comp/Fest NoviceComp/Fest Adult

B+

Training to Compete

Competitive JuniorCompetitive Senior

B+

Learning/ Living to Win

n/a D

Active for Life Festival Masters, Festival Adult

C

Healthy Athlete Development in Synchronized Skating

CHANGES WILL BE EFFECTIVE

2009-2010 !!

Role of Competition in LTADUltimately the goal is to create athletes

with the skills necessary to compete – but competition should not interfere with skill and athlete development

Generally in sport it has been noted that “Competition is a good servant but a poor master” in athlete development

Role of Competition in LTAD Important issues about competition

structures in all sport in Canada:

Competition structures are EXPENSIVE Traveling from one end of Canada to the other is more than traveling all of

Europe! How many parents do we bankrupt before they even know if their child has the passion or aptitude for success?

“Talent gets excluded” Along the path from Learning to Skate to Living to Win – how many ways do

we currently exclude talent? Do we exclude talent too soon?

Developmental athletes over-compete and under-train Developmental outcomes are compromised for competition outcomes too early

in development

Current systems tend to be about tradition more than about athlete development

“This is the way we have always done it!”

Issues to be addressed(according to Sport Canada)

Competition to Training Ratios

Competition Structure

Qualifications to compete

Development of technical and performance skills

Competition/ Training RatiosSport Canada Recommendations

Training/ Competition Ratios:

§ - “competing” includes competition focused training.

Needs to be validated for synchronized skating

Level Training Competing §

Learning to Skate 90+% - FUN

< 10% - FUN

Learning to Train 70% 30%

Learning to Compete 60% 40%

Training to Compete 40% 60%

Learning/ Living to Win

25% 75%

Active for Life Determined individually

DEVELOPMENT MODELMAJOR CHANGES

Maximum Team size will be at 16 except for the adults category I, II and III which will be at 20The label festival and competitive are removedThe two novice categories are merged togetherThe test requirements are removedOpen is now only one Free program

Remember:Learning to Skate – focused on funLearning to Train – focused on developing skillsLearning to Compete – introduces competing

“when it counts” but balances that with continued development of skills

Training to Compete – focuses on competing consistently

Learning/ Living to Win – focuses on being an adaptable athlete who can make the strategic and tactical decisions to win on the day.

LTAD: Revised ModelLevel Current

CategoryNew

Category

Learning to Skate

CanSkatePre-Juvenile

CanSkateBeginner

Learning to Train

Festival JuvenileFestival Pre-Novice

ElementaryJuvenile

Pre-Novice

Learning to Compete

Festival JuniorComp/ Fest. NoviceFestival OpenComp/Fest. Adult

NoviceIntermediate

Open

Training to Compete

Competitive JuniorCompetitive Senior

JuniorSenior

Learning/ Living to Win

n/a Structure to be determined

Active for Life

Festival MastersFestival Adult

Adult IAdult IIAdult III

Ages & Team SizesLEVEL Team Size* Under 10 10-12 12 - 15 15 - 19 19 - 25 25 - 35 35 and Over

CANSKATE 8 – 16 No Age Limits – defined only as CanSkate Levels 4 through 7

Beginner 8 – 16 75+% Up to 25% 0 0 0 0 0

Elementary 8 - 16 75+% Up to 25% 0 0 0 0

Juvenile 8 – 16 100% 0 0 0 0

Pre-Novice 8 – 16 Up to 25% 75+% 0 0 0

Novice 12-16 0 75+% Up to 25% 0 0

Intermediate 12-16 0 100% 0 0

Open 12-16 0 100%

Junior 16 0 0 100% 0 0 0

Senior 16 0 0 100% (14 or older)

Adult Class I 8 – 20 0 0 0 0 100%

Adult Class II 8 – 20 0 0 0 0 Up to 25% 75+%

Adult Class III 8 – 20 0 0 0 0 0 Up to 50% 50+%

Elements per levelELEMENTS Block Wheel Circle Line Inters'n MII NHSS MIF PROGRAMS

Learn to Skate(1 category)

restrictions: No features or additional features; backward intersections illegalCanSkate 1 1 1 1 FP: 2.0

Beginner 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 2.5

Learn to Train(4 categories)

restrictions: No features or additional features; backward intersections illegal at Elementary; backward lunges in intersections illegal at all levels

Elementary 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 2.5

Juvenile 1 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 3.0

Pre-Novice 1 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 3.0

Learn to Compete(3 categories)

restrictions: all elements as per ISU definitionsNovice 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 3.5

Intermediate 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OR SPIN FP: 4.0

Open 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OR SPIN FP: 4.0

Train to Compete(2 categories)

restrictions: all elements and programs as per ISU definitionsJunior short and free program always as defined by the ISU SP/ FP

Senior short and free program always as defined by the ISU SP/ FP

Learn/Live to Win(2 categories)

 

National Teams short and free program always as defined by the ISU SP/ FP

Active for Life(3 categories)

restrictions: all elements as per ISU definitionsAdult I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 3.5

Adult II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 3.5

Adult III 1 1 1 1 1 FP: 3.5

LEVEL CLUB INVITATIONAL REGIONALS CANADIANS INTERNATIONAL ADULT NATIONALS

CANSKATE

Beginner Optional

Elementary

Juvenile

Pre-Novice

Novice

Intermediate

Open

Junior (NT only)

Senior (NT only)

Adult Class I (according to ISU calendar)

Adult Class II (according to ISU calendar)

Adult Class III (according to ISU calendar)

Development Model

LEVEL CLUB INVITATIONAL REGIONALS CANADIANS INTERNATIONAL ADULT NATIONALS

CANSKATE Beginner Optional

Elementary Juvenile

Pre-Novice Novice

Intermediate Open Junior (NT only)

Senior (NT only)

Adult Class I (according to ISU calendar)

Adult Class II (according to ISU calendar)

Adult Class III (according to ISU calendar)

Development Model

REGIONALS

5 REGIONALS ARE CREATED

Mountain: British Columbia/Yukon Section, Alberta/NWT/Nunavut Section

Prairie: Saskatchewan Section, Manitoba Section

Ontario: Northern Ontario Section, Western Ontario Section, Central Ontario Section, Eastern Ontario Section

Quebec: Quebec Section

Atlantic: New Brunswick Section, Prince Edward Island Section, Nova Scotia Section, Newfoundland & Labrador Section

HOW TEAMS QUALIFY FOR CANADIANS? The final result in each Regional event shall determine the

competitors eligible to enter the equivalent Canadian qualifying competition

Each Region is eligible to enter one team into each event at the Canadian qualifying event

For every 15,000 registered associate members in the sections included in the Region, an additional team may be entered into each event at the Canadian qualifying. The number of sustaining members shall be determined by the membership year September 1 to August 31 of the year preceding the Canadian qualifying event

For each team that place in the top five at the previous Senior Synchronized Nationals event the Region of the team section will be granted an additional entry (or entries) into the respective Canadian qualifying round.

Example:Mountain Prairies Ontario Quebec Atlantic

# members 38,714 14,947 78,729 39,197 16,607

Entries 1+2 = 3 1+0 = 1 1+5 = 6 1+2 = 3 1+1 = 2

Plus – five more entries to allocated to regions by event according to the results of the previous Canadian Championships

Eg. If at 2010 Canadian Championships the results for the Intermediate category are as follows:

(1)CO, (2) WO, (3) NL, (4) QC, (5) AB

Then the 5 additional entries for the next Intermediate category would be: Atlantic +1, Quebec +1, Ontario +2, Prairies +0, Mountain +1

TRANSITION YEAR

Since the categories are changing from season 2008-2009 to 2009-2010 it would be impossible to put in the rule of the top five gets an extra spot for Canadian.

For the 2009-2010 season only, each region will be allow 2 teams as a base (instead of the 1) into each event at the Canadian qualifying event.

CHANGES WILL BE EFFECTIVE 2009-2010 !!

CHANGE PROCESS: Consultation with the synchronized skating community has been on-going for over 12

months Revisions to draft circulated in August, 2007 have been adjusted to address much of

the feedback received, and the final LTAD analysis and development Successful implementation relies on a FIXED model with at least 12 months notice to

the community before implementation Feedback from presentation at Nationals (January 2008) received and model have

been adjusted to address some of the concerns. Presenting final model to Skate Canada Board (April 12,2008) NO CHANGES WILL TAKE PLACE FROM April 2008 UNTIL THE END OF THE

2009-2010 SEASON! The committee will accept feedback during the 2009-2010 season and will evaluate any revisions as necessary.

Suspension of the actual rules at the May 2009 Skate Canada Board Amendments to be presented at the AGM of May 2010

MOVING FORWARDIn order for Canada to

move to a system that is more athlete centered and encourages healthy development, we must all be willing to look forward, all accepting that everyone must compromise a little.

THANK YOU!