LONG-TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - Skate Canada

Facilities and Training Environments
L o n g - Te r m A t h l e t e D e v e l o p m e n t
79
865 Sheord Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1J 1H9
Recognizing that every situation will be different, the following information is meant to act as an ideal scenario in
Phone 613.747.1007 I Toll Free 1.888.747.2372 I Fax 613.748.5718 I Toll Free Fax 1.877.211.2372
terms of facilities and training environment with a view of clubs working in cooperation with facility operators and
municipalities to create the best environment possible for athlete development.
Stage of Development Facilities and Training Environments
Learn to Skate Safety must be everyone’s top priority. An Emergency Action Plan is required for all
clubs. As the CanSkate program encourages the use of various on-ice teaching tools
(e.g. balls, markers) knowledge of what is allowable by the facility and municipality is
critical.
As much as possible an off-ice room should be available as well as access to support
services such as physiotherapy. If no off-ice room is available, a lobby or locker
room will suffice. Clubs should strive to create a skating space in the facility to
create visibility of the various programs and activities available to members of the
community. Proper music equipment is essential.
Learn to Train Requirements at this stage remain consistent with those of the Learning to Skate
stage though skaters closer to the exit point of Learning to Train may begin to
experience more formalized activities in other training facilities (e.g. dance studios,
martial arts schools, etc.). Coaches and parents/guardians should be aware of the
conditions of these ancillary facilities and the certifications and qualifications of
those instructing the programs offered therein.
Learn to Compete Clubs and/or training centres need to be aware of the resources required to train
skaters at this stage. Most skaters of this age concentrate their training only on-ice.
It is mandatory that an off-ice training schedule be developed and implemented by
each club and/or training centre. These sessions may be held within the same facility
as the ice rink or may need to be held elsewhere. Safety and quality instruction
remains a top priority. Community colleges and universities often have excellent
specialists on staff and adequate to excellent facilities which may be taken into
consideration.
Train to Compete Similar to the Learning to Compete stage, clubs and/or training centres need to
be aware of the resources required to train skaters at this stage. It continues to be
mandatory that an off-ice training schedule be developed and implemented by each
club and/or training centre. These sessions may be held within the same facility as
the ice rink or could be held elsewhere. Safety and quality instruction remains a top
priority. Community colleges and universities often have excellent specialists on staff
and adequate to excellent facilities. Some skaters in this stage might also be eligible
to access services at national sport centres. These opportunities should be explored
by the athlete’s support team. Athletes might also need to consider making use of
regional and national training centres reflecting the move at this stage toward an
integrated support team system.