Ice Link issue 68 (Page 3) - National Ice Skating Association

Ice 

INSIDE 

Issue 68 - September 2006 

Link 

The official voice of ice skating in the UK 

NIC Rocks to 'Iced Energy' 

Rhiannon Morris reviews 

.... centre pages 

News & views 

British Champs 2007 

Skaters Banquet 

Developing Youth Ice Sport 

Short Track season 

starts with a clean 

sweep ..... p4 

If undelivered return to: 

National Ice Skating Association of UK Ltd 

National Ice Centre, Lower Parliament Street 

Nottingham NG1 1LA 

Meet Team Skate GB 

GB Squad choose their national kit design with pride 

Members of the 2006-7 British Figure Skating Squad were delighted when they were 

given the opportunity to help design their National Kit, and as proud as punch to to be 

selected as members of 'Team Skate GB', a name they also had a hand in choosing. The 

Squad - altogether 26 strong - are the British athletes selected to represent Britain at ISU 

internationals and competitions over the coming season. 

Pictured right at a pre-season Squad Training Camps 

at iceSheffield in August wearing the Team Skate GB 

tracksuits are: 

Back row, left to right: John Hamer, Andrew 

Smykowski, Phillip Poole, Lloyd Jones, Jason 

Thompson. Second row: Jake Bennett, Thomas 

Paulson, Jenna McCorkell 

Junior Grand Prix Budapest 

31 Aug - 3 Sept 2006 

David Richardson 

Junior Grand Prix Romania 

21 - 24 Sept 2006 

Matthew Parr 

Junior Grand Prix Norway 

28 Sept - 1 Oct 2006 

Matthew Parr 

Nebelhorn Trophy Oberstdorf 

28 Sept - 1 Oct 2006 

Sinead & John Kerr 

Phillipa Towler Green & Phillip Poole 

Thomas Paulson 

Stacey Kemp & David King 

Junior Grand Prix The Hague 

5 - 7 Oct 2006 

Vanessa James 

David Richardson 

Leigh Rogers & Lloyd Jones 

Karl Schafer Vienna 

11 - 14 Oct 2006 

John Hamer 

Phillipa Towler Green & Phillip Poole 

Jenna McCorkell 

Junior Grand Prix Liberec 

19 - 22 Oct 2006 

Leigh Rogers & Lloyd Jones 

Grand Prix Skate America 

26 - 29 Oct 2006 


Grand Prix Cup of China 

9 - 12 Nov 2006 

Stacey Kemp & David King 

Golden Spin Zagreb 

10 - 12 Nov 2006 

John Hamer 

Thomas Paulsen 

Jenna McCorkell 

Kira Geil & Andrew Smykowski 

Grand Prix Cup of Russia 

23 - 26 Nov 2006 


Baltic Cup Gdansk 

24 - 26 Nov 2006 

Elliot Hilton 

Sally Hoolin & Jake Bennett 

Third row: Leigh Rogers, Merissa Henderson, Daniel 

King, Vanessa James, Amy Tanner, Elliott Hilton, 

Front row: Sally Hoolin, Katie Powell, Phillipa Towler- 

Green, Tameron Drake, Keira Geil. 

Not pictured: Stacey Kemp & David King, Sinead & 

John Kerr, Matthew Parr, David Richardson, Edward 

Alton 

Team Skate GB International Assignments 2006-7 

8th Int Dance Cup Vienna 

28 Nov - 1 Dec 2006 

Kira Geil & Andrew Smykowski 

Dragon Trophy Slovenia 

1 - 4 Feb 2007 

Katie Powell 

Elliot Hilton 

Nordics 2007 Vantaa 

7 - 11 Feb 2007 

Tameron Drake & Edward Alton 

Sally Hoolin & Jake Bennett 

European Youth Olympics Spain 

18 - 23 Feb 2007 

Amy Tanner 

Daniel King 

Copenhagen Trophy Denmark 

8 - 11 Mar 2007 

Marissa Henderson

Ice Link Issue 68 page 2 

Ice 

Link Editor's Comment 

In a new initiative to work with ice 

rinks throughout the UK, NISA has 

just completed analysis of its first 

ice rink survey. Many industries do 

in fact work regularly with 

independent "auditors" to collect, 

collate and analyse data from 

competing firms or service 

providers, in order to create a useful 

benchmarking database, charting 

the performance and progress of 

the industry as a whole. This helps 

individual providers by giving them a 

better understanding of current 

practice, charges and participation - 

information vital to the development 

of better marketing plans and better 

service to their customers. By 

initiating this survey, NISA is 

attempting to do just this, and the 

second annual survey questionnaire 

is being distributed as we go to 

print. 

Ice rinks in the UK generally operate in 

isolation; there is no co-ordinated 

marketing of ice sports, and individual 

rinks are competing, not with each 

other, but against other sports and 

leisure facilities within their own 

population catchment areas. The 

dramatic effect 

of publicity 

however is 

undeniable, 

and the TV 

reality show Bryan Morrice - Editor 

'Dancing on Ice' 

earlier this year demonstrated just 

how popular ice skating in particular 

can be, with most rinks reporting 

record attendances during and for a 

considerable period after the 

programme. 

Sadly, neither rinks or clubs nor 

indeed the Governing Body, was 

properly prepared to capitalise on this 

upsurge of interest. How many rinks 

prepared information sheets or 

leaflets for would-be skaters? How 

many clubs got involved in recruitment 

drives or promoted their activities? 

How many rinks promoted the Learnto-Skate 

programme? And how many 

rinks and clubs considered the 

structure of their sessions both to 

accommodate the new influx of 

beginners, and also to maintain and 

develop the needs of their existing 

customer base? Sadly to say, very 

few. 

Editor/Designer/Layout/Chief Reporter/Dogsbody ~ Bryan Morrice. 

Design Assistant ~ Julie Morrice 

Photographs ~ NISA Official Photographers - Graham Taylor; Dave Page; 

Alison Gilkes Publisher ~ NISA NIC Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham 

NG1 1LA Tel: 0115 988 8060 Fax: 0115 988 8061 or e-mail on 

nisa@iceskating.org.uk Website: www.iceskating.org.uk 

Contributions, articles, news, photos and information from your rinks are 

always welcome. If you have a contribution, or would like to help, contact the 

editor at 'Brackenlea', Lower Glenhead, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire 

AB51 5PR Telephone: 01467 641389 (set to answerphone only 

/ no fax); E-mail on - bryan.morrice@btinternet.com 

Views expressed in Ice Link are those of the editor and/or contributors 

but not necessarily those of the Governing Bodies or Officers. 

Copyright is reserved and while all efforts are made for accuracy, no 

responsibility can be accepted for printed errors or matters arising 

from them. No part of the newspaper may be reproduced without 

written permission from the publishers. 

NISA Diary 2006-7 

The full calendar can be viewed on NISA website 

September / (Oct) 

25 Swindon Open 

30-(1) Dundee Open 

30-(1) British Adult Champs (Lee 

Valley) 

October 

2-3 Streatham Open 

8 Valley Open 

9-10 Alex Palace Open 

14-20 Sk8scotland 

Championships RJS & 

NJS (Dumfries) 

23 Closing date Welsh NJS 

29 Oxford Open 

November 

6 Gillingham Open 

6 Blackburn First Aid Course 

13-14 Coventry Open 

20-24 Welsh Championships & 

NJS (Deeside) 

27 British Champs closing date 

December 

11 NJS Pair Seminar 

12 New Standard Pair Test 

Seminar (iceSheffield) 

28-29 Junior British Open Short 

Track (Nottingham) 

January 2007 

9-13 British Ice Figure & Dance 

Champs (Nottingham) 

12-14 ISU World Junior Short 

Track Champs (Czech 

Rep) 

19-21 ISU European Short Track 

Champs (Sheffield, UK) 

22-28 European Champs 

(Warsaw, Poland) 

February/(Mar) 

11 Grimsby Opens 

26-(4) ISU Junior World Champs 

(Oberstdorf, Germany) 

March 

5 Romford Open 

5-6 Alex Palace (Solo Dance 

Qualifier) 

8-10 ISU Synchro World 

Challenge Cup for Juniors 

(NIC Nottingham) 

9-11 ISU World Short Track 

Champs (Milan, Italy) 

10-11 Magnum Opens 

12-13 Bradford Open 

14 Bristol Open 

17-18 ISU World Short Track 

Team Champs (Budapest, 

Hungary 

19-25 ISU World Champs 

(Tokyo, Japan) 

26 Solihull (Solo Dance 

Qualifier) 

28-29 Telford Open 

30-31 World Synchro Champs 

(London, Ontario) 

April 

3-5 Blackpool Open 

14-15 Dumfries (Scottish Home 

Nation Solo Dance Qualifier) 

14-15 Bracknell (English Home 


23-27 Bracknell Open 

May 

6-7 Deeside (Welsh Home 


11-13 Dundonald (N Ireland Home 


June 

3-4 NIC (Solo Dance Qualifier) 

or 

10-11 NIC (Solo Dance Qualifier) 

19-20 iceSheffield (Solo Dance 

Qualifier) 

21-22 iceSheffield Open Figure 

26-27 Basingstoke Opens 

July 

2-4 Guildford Open 

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS 

OF EDITING RINK LINK / ICE LINK 

WE HAVE RECEIVED NO LETTERS 

FOR THIS ISSUE! 

(Apart from one anonymous 

one!) 

YOUR VIEWS 

AND 

OPINIONS 

COULD HAVE 

BEEN HERE! 

Letters to: 

The Editor 

Brackenlea 

Lower Glenhead 

Kemnay 

Aberdeenshire AB51 5PR 

Beginners, inspired by the TV show, 

could only be placed on waiting lists; 

clubs closed their doors to new 

members, and with clubs at capacity, 

crowded and unstructured sessions 

turned into Piccadilly Circus on ice - 

scary for beginners and useless for 

coaches and training skaters! And of 

course having not created 

programmes, developed pathways 

and opportunities, those potential 

recruits have since dwindled away. 

With over 13 million visits to UK 

ice rinks annually, skating is 

clearly a sport fully addressing 

government demands for 

participation and fighting the 

health time-bomb 

In conducting this benchmarking 

survey, NISA is providing the ice sports 

industry in the UK with a valuable 

databank to help rink managers and 

clubs to address these issues, and by 

participating in the survey, many rinks 

are indeed beginning to show a 

willingness to work together. There 

remain many questions of course, and 

the survey cannot provide all the 

answers, however without basic facts 

and figures, management and clubs 

stand little chance of success in 

creating meaningful and exciting 

marketing programmes or adapting to 

Letters to 

the Editor 

Letters Policy: 

I never publish anonymous 

letters, but I am happy not to 

publish your names if you wish 

this to be withheld. Letter 

writers/e-mailers can be 

assured that their identities 

will be kept confidential 

should they wish their names 

withheld. I also may need to 

abbreviate or edit your letters. 

market needs. 

The survey however also demonstrates 

- as did 'Dancing on Ice' - just what an 

enormous potential exists to promote 

and develop ice sports - if only rinks 

could work collectively and in cooperation. 

Analysis of the 2005-6 survey, for 

instance demonstrates that the British 

public made over 13 million visits to 

UK ice rinks last year, and with an 

average entrance ticket price of 

around £3.50 this equates to a £45m 

business in public session gate 

receipts alone. Add in skate hire, 

equipment sales, training ice, clubs, 

coaching, secondary spend in cafes 

and bars, vending machines and 

games machines, and the UK ice 

sports industry becomes a very 

significant service sector indeed. 

Funding from Home Countries Sports 

Bodies (Sport England, Sportscotland) 

is now linked to participation and 

supporting the Health Agenda 

particularly in the areas of exercise 

and fighting the obesity time bomb. 

The data shows that the Ice Sports 

industry is supporting the Health 

agenda through the large numbers of 

individuals who skate on a regular 

basis and therefore taking exercise. 

The catchment group involved in 

Public Skating is the very groups that 

Government needs to target and find 

so difficult to communicate with. The 

industry therefore needs to produce 

credible data to allow NISA to present 

a compelling case to Government for 

funding to support our activities. 

The age profile of skating is 

predominantly children and young 

adults, a notoriously difficult target 

market to reach through conventional 

media. So where are the coordinated 

advertising campaigns in UK 

rinks? If rinks could only work 

together, the opportunities could be 

immense. 

For instance, NISA has invested heavily 

in creating SKATE UK the national 

Learn-to-Skate programme, yet 1 in 3 

rinks persist in re-inventing the wheel 

with their "own brand" courses. The 

opportunities for a global sponsor of 

SKATE UK are diminished when it 

cannot be delivered across the board 

throughout the UK - not to mention 

those unfortunate skaters who are 

paying hard earned cash to 

participate in an untested and 

unrecognised Learn-to Skate course, 

possibly not even delivered by a 

qualified coach! 

Would you send your child to study 

for their Smith Street Secondary 

School Certificate of Education rather 

than a GCSE? 

T&D Bar at NIC gets major makeover 

Abrand new café bar is set to open its 

doors at the National Ice Centre on 

Saturday 16th September. 

If you’ve been skating at the NIC or to see a 

concert at Nottingham Arena over the last few 

months, you’ll have noticed a lot of building 

work going on. Well finally it’s nearly complete 

and the new T&D Café Bar will be in business this 

weekend. 

This is the first of two major new developments 

at the NIC with bosses investing £400,000 into 

ensuring you get the best possible service on 

ICE COOL SPORTS SPORTS 

AS 2001 Skate Sharpening 

Machine 

The best and most simple to operate skate sharpening machine on the market. For a 

professional grind and finish to your Figure skates insist on the best “PROSHARP” 

For more information visit our website or visit the PROSHARP website at 

www.prosharp.net 

Skate Packs 

The Skate Pack Includes Skates, Bag, Guards, Soakers, Gloves, Boot Covers and a 

Skate towel. 

The Skate packs start at the amazing price of £69.99 for the Riedell Yellow 

Ribbon set. For full details of all Skate Packs visit our website 

www.icecoolsports.com 

www.icecoolsports.com 

your visit. T&D Café Bar replaces the old Torvill 

and Dean Bar on level two. It’s now doubled in 

size making it the ultimate pre-concert or 

relaxing après-skate hang out. It’s been 

revamped with wooded flooring, comfy sofas 

and a brand new menu offering mouth watering 

dishes for every palette. 

The Café Bar is open from 8am during the week 

and 7am on Saturday and Sundays with a range 

of closing times from 7pm to 9.30pm but will 

open later on event nights. 

Telephone Shop - 01224 625384 

Mobile Telephone - 07748 700750 

Shop - Ice Cool Sports, Linx Ice Arena, Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen

Cowling's 

Column 

Former World Champion, Michelle Kwan of the 

US is skipping the upcoming skating 

season to attend the University of 

Denver as a full time student. 

"Each year, since 2002, I have taken a 1year-at-a-time 

approach to my figureskating 

plans," the nine-time US champion 

said. "Education is very important to me, 

and this year I have decided to put college first. 

Next year at this time I will again evaluate all my 

options, including returning to competitive 

skating." The 26 year old said that she's to 

continue to skate in exhibitions. 

************ 

Two times Olympic silver medallist Elvis Stojko 

of Canada has packed up his skates for good. 

The veteran did so in a surprise announcement 

after skating in the Mariposa Gala in August. It's 

James Cowling, Ice Link's 

independent sports journalist 

brings readers skating news from 

around the globe 

the club he trained at during his amateur 

career. 

Although Stojko, a three times World 

Champion, is a world class martial 

artist, he's giving it all up for music. 

Yes folks, he's launched a singing 

career. 

************ 

Lastly, former Austrian Olympic figure skating 

champion Wolfgang Schwarz has been 

sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting 

to abduct the daughter of a wealthy Romanian 

businessman. Schwarz, 59, who suffers from 

cancer, won the gold medal at the 1968 Winter 

Olympics in Grenoble, France. 

Bits Bits n' 

pieces 

pieces 


NISA official stuff! 

Attention all skaters, coaches, judges and officials - this is the page to read to keep 

up to date with all the Association's Official Information 

For full details also check NISA website www.iceskating.org.uk 

Due to lack of space in this issue, we are unable to publish all recent Official and Technical 

Announcements. Members are advised to always check the NISA website for full details 

Attention all Ice Dance Judges 

Dance judges are requested to send all Probationary test papers and competition assessment forms 

directly to Liz Littler (NISA Judges & Officials Director) at 18 Booths Lane, Lymm, Cheshire, WA13 

0PE. With immediate effect. 

Attention all Synchronized Skating Teams 

Questions have been raised concerning the use of lifts in programs. The Synchro Technical 

Committee & the NISA Synchro Director wish to clarify the position. 

The current ISU Communication 1395 Rule 706 Clause 9 page 18 states: Lifts of any variety are illegal 

in Senior and Junior Short Programs. 

In the same Communication Rule 703 Clause 8 page 6 states: Lifts are permitted in Senior NJS Free 

skating programs only. 

Accordingly lifts are not permitted in any RJS program and may only be included in Senior NJS Free 

skating programs subject to the descriptions shown in ISU Communication 1395 Rule 703 Clause 8 

(a) (b) and (c) page 6. 

Officials / Judges Expenses 

Would all officials/judges please ensure that they have submitted all outstanding expense claim 

forms before 30th September 2006 as this is now the end of the current financial year. 

Please also check that you have no expense claims submitted prior to 1st July 2006 which have not 

as yet been reimbursed. Any queries re these outstanding expenses should be addressed to Pat 

Richardson in the NISA office. 

Pat is currently working to clear expense claims submitted after 1st July and aims, in due course, to 

reimburse all expense claims within four weeks of receipt. 

You are reminded that all claims should be received by Pat within one month of an event and are 

not transferable between financial years. 

NISA Bulletin 25 is now on the website 

Please note that Bulletin 25 should be on the NISA website by the time this issue of Ice LInk reaches 

you. The important article article below "To enter NJS or not ..." is included in Bulletin 25. 

To enter NJS Events or not - That is the question 

Following the first NJS event in Sheffield many parents, skaters and coaches have asked for 

feedback not only of Performance but of the suitability of NJS events for individual skaters. Please 

read on............. 

It is important that skaters, coaches and parents fully understand the reasoning behind, and 

the aims of, the NJS in the U.K. and therefore we wish to re-iterate the following information 

give in NISA bulletins in 2004/05. 

The NJS test and competition structure is 

designed for skaters who are at the point of 

actively consolidating their competitive 

performances and careers and seeking to 

compete within the judging systems used 

internationally. The system has the advantage 

over the RJS competitive test system in that the 

scores for all aspects of a skater's programme 

are very clear to see in great detail for each 

element and element scores can be directly 

compared with skaters competing in 

international competitions. 

It was envisaged that coaches and skaters 

would mathematically work out the best 

combination of Element Scale of Values and 

Grade of Executions for themselves in order to 

attain a Test Pass (or even higher) score. 

It was evident at the Sheffield NJS event that in 

some instances this had not been done and 

some entrants were attempting elements which 

were of too great a difficulty, and were 

performed without success. This resulted in 

skaters not attaining attempted Levels and also 

not attaining positive GOE's. Numerous skaters 

also performed incorrect elements within 

programmes as can be seen see from the 

published scores on the NISA website. 

Interestingly the reason skaters are qualified to 

enter the NJS events is because they have 

already passed National Test Level 8 (singles) 

and Level 6 (pairs & dance) which requires 

basics done with Quality NOT elements with 

Attempted Difficulty skated without Quality. 

It is expected that skaters who choose to enter 

NJS events rather than the NISA Cup 

competitions and National Open Competitions, 

should aim to be within 30% of the test pass 

score, noting that the test scores are set using a 

very low Base value of Level 1 on all steps and 

spins which gives a generous leeway for other 

optional choices of elements and are worked 

on the programmes previously required for the 

RJS competitive tests skated to the same Base 

standard. 

This figure of 70% of the individual segment test 

pass score equates to the realistically 

acceptable standard of a skater entered for a 

test. Certainly any segment result lower than this 

figure has a very, very minimal chance of an 

overall test pass by gaining 130% of the 

remaining segment(s) test pass score. 

With this in mind and in order to timetable the 

Dumfries Event, having received a very large 

number of entries, it has been decided that the 

Novice and Junior ladies numbers will be 

reduced to 18 after the Short Program unless 

additional skaters reach 70% of the short 

programme test pass mark. In that case the 

additional skaters will also skate their Free 

Program. 

This decision will ensure that we can provide 

NJS level competition to all Single, Pairs and 

Dance disciplines within ice time allocations. 

We trust that everyone will now understand the 

concept of the New Judging System with 

regard to both competition and tests and 

appreciate that it is an exceedingly expensive 

system to operate especially with regard to ice 

time, equipment and provision of international 

officials. 

Skaters intending to enter NJS events should 

take the time to reassess the suitability, not only 

of their entry, but also of their planned 

programme content with their coach and their 

parents. 

Some single skaters may find Open 

Competitions and the Home Country NISA Cup 

Competitions and National Final more suitable 

events in which to compete in the short term 

until appropriate competitive performance at 

the relevant ISU Novice/Junior /Senior entry 

standard is achieved. 

Once again late entries have been received and 

rejected, this time for Dumfries. The NISA 

calendar on the NISA website published event 

dates and all closing dates as long ago as 

December 2005. Please be aware that for all 

NISA events only fully completed entry forms 

received by the closing date will be accepted - 

with no exceptions. 

So Good Luck with your skating whatever you 

decide to enter - NJS Events or Open and NISA 

Cup Competitions. 

Liz Littler 

(Judges and Officials Director) 

Cath Barker 

(National Performance Manager)


GB Short 

Track skaters 

start season with bang 

The Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating National Squad travelled to 

Chamonix in the French Alps for the first competition of the 2006/2007 

season in August. 

164 competitors 

from Europe took 

part in the 

competition, Great 

Britain dominated 

the Senior Men's 

category which saw 

Jon Eley in first place 

closely followed by 

his team mates, Tom 

Iveson (2nd), Paul 

Stanley (3rd) and 

Oliver Horsepool 

(4th). Sarah Lindsay 

finished in 4th place 

in the Senior Ladies 

after a fall in the 

1000m semi-finals. 

There were some 

exciting 

performances from 

some of the Junior 

members of the 

Squad, Charlotte 

Gilmartin and Elise 

Christie although both 

Junior B (under 17) 

raced in the Senior Ladies competition and 

finished 5th and 6th respectively. 

The Squad then remained in Chamonix for a 

The first of two Open Squad Trials took place at the National Ice Centre, Nottingham over 

the August Bank Holiday weekend. 24 men and 10 Ladies qualified to take part. These 

trials are used to help select the National Squad for the 2006-2007 season; the results are 

also used to select the team that will compete at the World Cups and then go on to the 

European Championships which are being held in Sheffield 19th-21st January 2007. 

The trials as always start with the 7 lap time 

trials, after the time trials the fastest 16 men go 

to make up Pool A for the rest of the 

competition and the remaining skaters go to 

make up Pool B. After the Time Trials the skaters 

then race over 1500m, 500m and 1000m in 

competition format with points awarded in the 

finals of each distance only. For the Ladies, they 

race 1500m, 500m and 1000m in competition 

format just as the men do. 

Sarah Lindsay showed her World class form by 

dominating the ladies competition, taking 

maximum points from the time trials and all three 

following distances. The other three female 

members of the National Squad, Elise Christie, 

Alex Whelbourne and Charlotte Gilmartin battled 

it out between themselves for the minor places 

along with Sally Conway from the Aldwych 

Speed Club, to finish in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th 

places respectively. 

As always the Men's trials proved eventful, 

Olympic 500m finalist Jon Eley was forced to 

withdraw from the trials through injury after a fall 

Short Track 

Update 

Jon Eley 1st, Tom Iveson 2nd, Paul Stanley 3rd 

News 

Results 

Debate 

week long 

training camp. During 

the camp the Squad 

members underwent 

some physiological 

testing. All of the 

training was carried 

out under the 

watchful eye of new 

Head Coach Nicky 

Gooch. 

Stuart Horsepool in 

his new role as 

Programme Manager/ 

Director of Coaching 

said " I am very 

happy obviously with 

the results of the 

competition but 

more so with the 

performances from 

the skaters this early 

on in the season". 

The skaters are now 

preparing for the 

Open Squad Trials 

which are taking place 

at the end of August, these trials will determine 

the National Squad for the 2006/2007 season. 

Crashes mar Squad Trials at NIC 

Overall Results Men Pool A 

1. Oliver Horsepool 

Qualified for 

Nat Sqd / W Cup 

2. Paul Stanley Nat Sqd / W Cup 

3. Tom Iveson Nat Sqd / W Cup 

4. Anthony Douglas Nat Sqd / W Cup 

5. Jon Eley Nat Sqd / W Cup 

6. Paul Worth Nat Sqd / W Cup 

7. Ian Upcott Star Class 

W/d Matthew Wilson* 

*on medical advice 

Nat Sqd/Star Class 

RESULTS 

in the 1500m A Final, although in some pain Jon 

finished the race in 6th place. With his maximum 

points from the Time Trial and points for 6th 

place in the 1500m Jon had to be content to 

finish in 5th place overall. 

Jon's Mohawks team mate Tom Iveson was also 

on the receiving end of a cruel blow, Tom was in 

the lead in the 500m A final when a mistake 

coming out of the bend with one lap to go saw 

Tom crash out into the padding, the race had to 

be stopped, fortunately Tom was able to leave 

the ice under his own steam but was unable to 

take any further part in the trials and so finished 

in 3rd place in the overall results. 

Oliver Horsepool on the other hand skated very 

well and avoided any trouble during the 

competition, Oliver took maximum points from 

the 1500m, 500m and 1000m to finish in 1st 

position overall for the first time at an Open 

Trials. Paul Stanley's 4th place in the time trial 

and 2nd in the 1500m, 500m and 1000m gave 

him 2nd place in the Overall results. 

Overall Results Ladies 

Qualified for 

1. Sarah Lindsay Nat Sqd / W Cup 

2. Elise Christie Nat Sqd / Star Class 

3. Alex Whelbourne Nat Sqd / Star Class 

4. Charlotte Gilmartin Nat Sqd / Star Class 

Talented Short Track skaters want 

Mina Machin reports on the first 

to stay up later! 

NISA Talent ID Camps 

The first of the five TASS supported Talent Identification camps was held at iceSheffield on the 

7th, 8th & 9th July. The camp proved very successful, and was attended by 21 skaters ranging 

from 10 to 19 years of age. Hotel accommodation was provided at the Premier Travel Inn just 

across the road from the venue. Lunches were taken at iceSheffield with breakfast and dinner at 

the hotel. 

The National Director 

of Coaching, Head 

Coach and Short 

Track Administrator 

were in attendance 

along with the two 

TASS Coaches and 

one Club coach. 

During the welcome 

meeting the general 

rules for the camp 

were distributed to 

the skaters and after 

discussion a curfew time was set. 

Skaters were split into two groups for the 

training sessions and seminars to enable 

the coaches to deliver the sessions at the 

correct level. 

Four on ice training sessions were held, 

which focused on endurance and 

technique, also two off ice sessions held. 

All of the training sessions were taken by 

Stuart Horsepool and Nicky Gooch with 

support from TASS coaches Mandy Worth 

(NIRC) and Tony Gallon (Aldwych) along 

with Club Coach Pat Jones (Flintshire 

Fliers) Two seminars delivered by Nicky Gooch 

(National Squad Head Coach) took place. The 

focus of these seminars was equipment and 

blade maintenance, Nicky explained and 

demonstrated how to sharpen blades with 

both groups of skaters and with the older 

skaters went more in depth into the 

importance of maintaining blades (radius, bend 

etc). 

All of the skaters who attended the camp 

worked very hard throughout the weekend 

and the coaches involved were very pleased 

with the efforts and achievements made by the 

skaters. 

Feedback sheets were 

distributed to all of the 

skaters at lunch on 

Sunday, after reading all 

of the returned feedback 

sheets and talking to the 

skaters it was clear that all 

of the skaters really 

enjoyed the camp, the 

varied training sessions 

and hard work, they also 

enjoyed the chance to 

work with the coaches 

who are involved with the 

National Squad. It is felt 

that the menu for the 

lunches needs to be looked at. Other than this 

the only negative that came from the skaters is 

that they want to be allowed to stay up later! 

.......and then they got to stay up 

Mina Machin reports on the second 

(a little) later! 

NISA Talent ID Camps 

The second of the five NISA Talent Identification camps was held at iceSheffield on the 18th 

19th and 20th August. As with the July camp this was very successful, and was again 

attended by 21 skaters ranging from 10 to 19 years of age. 

Hotel accommodation was provided at the 

Premier Travel Inn just across the road from the 

venue. Lunches were taken at iceSheffield with 

breakfast and dinner at the hotel. 

The National Director of Coaching, Head Coach 

and Short Track Administrator were in 

attendance along with the two TASS coaches 

and one club coach. 

During the welcome meeting the general rules 

for the camp were distributed to the skaters. As 

the skaters felt that they would like to be 

allowed to stay up later at the previous camp it 

was decided that the skaters would be asked 

what time they thought they should be in their 

rooms by. Without trying to spoil the fun the 

coaches tried to remind the skaters that they 

were here to train and that they would need to 

be at the ice rink for 8.30am to warm up for 

their first training session. After a light hearted 

discussion the skaters suggested and agreed 

that 10.30pm would be the curfew time, much 

to the relief of the coaches. 

The skaters were again split into two groups for 

the training sessions and seminars to enable the 

coaches to deliver the sessions at the correct 

level. 

The four on-ice training sessions and two off-ice 

sessions were delivered by Stuart Horsepool 

and Nicky Gooch and assisted by Mandy Worth, 

Tony Gallon and Pat Jones. For the ice sessions 

the focus was on racing, starts etc. The two 

pictured: Nicky Gooch & 

Stuart Horsepool 

seminars at this camp were delivered by Stuart 

Horsepool and focused on race preparation, 

during the seminar the skaters were asked to 

write down their pre race routine and warm up, 

and were encouraged to use this routine and 

warm up when preparing for their on ice session 

which was to incorporate a mini competition. At 

the seminar on the Sunday afternoon the skaters 

gave feedback on what went well and what 

didn't go so well for them and were then given 

guidance on changing their routine if they felt 

the need. Once again the coaches were 

impressed with the hard work and enthusiasm 

that the skaters put into the camp. 

Feedback sheets were again distributed to all of 

the skaters at lunch on Sunday, again the skaters 

commented on the enjoyment that they got out 

of the camp and that they felt that they were 

learning a lot from the seminars and training 

sessions. the change in the lunch menu was a 

success, but the early start times were not their 

favourite part of the camp. 

The lunch menu for the September camp will be 

along the same lines as this camp. We cannot 

change the ice times so unfortunately we cannot 

start later. 

So far these camps are proving very successful 

and so we look forward to the next camp in 

September, which is already full with 41 skaters 

attending. Very few places remain on the 

November and April camps. 

Roger searches for his roots 

Ice LInk has received an appeal (via Paul Iveson thanks) 

from Roger Walker, now living in Spain, for any Mohawks 

members who may know of a 'Mayfield' who might have 

been in the club at some time between 1936 - 1940. 

It appears that Roger's mother was Olive Mayfield and 

there were family connections to Mohawks Ice Racing 

Club. 

If you have any information Roger asks if you could e-mail 

care of: Renee Fortuin on fincab@mercuryin.es 

This photo accompanied the appeal - any ideas?

The World Ice Challenge The World Ice Challenge 

Saturday 31st March & Sunday 

1st April 2007 

Leukerbad Ski Resort 

Switzerland 

Yorkshire Winter Wonderland project 

chooses Ice Magic for 'ice' rink 

The owners of Stockeld Farm Ltd in Wetherby, Yorkshire (one of the UK's largest Christmas 

tree Growers) have purchased a 352m2 'Ice Magic' synthetic ice rink as the focal point of 

their Winter Wonderland attraction for Christmas 2006 which will include a restaurant 

facility adjacent to the 'ice' rink as well as a Santa's Grotto. 

Set within the picturesque grounds of Stockeld Park, Wetherby, the rink will open early November 

and be operational through December with further information available by contacting Peter Emmett 

at Promo Concepts UK Ltd on 01477 533620 or by email to peter@promoconcepts.co.uk. 

Peter Grant, Managing Director of Stockeld Farms Ltd said, "This is one of the largest projects that we 

have committed to and the decision to purchase from 'Ice Magic' followed a visit to their factory 

premises, visits to existing 'Ice Magic˙ installations and a belief that their product and level of service 

coupled with their reputation made them the best choice as the supplier of our synthetic ice rink 

attraction. We intend to provide a truly memorable festive treat for our visitors and extend a warm 

welcome to all NISA members and their families". 

The footnote to this good news story is that a donation will be made by the directors of Promo 

Concepts to the NISA Skaters Development Fund at the official opening of the Stockeld Park 'ice' rink 

and continuing the support that NISA has nurtured with Peter and Elizabeth Emmett, Directors of 

Promo Concepts UK Ltd in recent years. 

Gary Allweis passes away 

Well known Manchester judge Gary Allweis 

( 85 ) passed away on August Bank 

holiday after a short stay in hospital. A 

former committee member of Manchester Ice 

Skating Club and one time NISA Area 

representative in the North West, Gary judged 

and refereed for nearly 30years at 

championships, club and open events, league 

matches, tests, Skate Electric competitions etc. 

until the early1980's. A keen skier and an 

enthusiastic supporter of Manchester United, 

Gary ran the family bakery business in Prestwich, 

North Manchester and began skating at the 

The rink for the main skating events is a Swiss 

Olympic training rink in an idyllic mountain 

village location in the Valais. 

The dances for both couples and soloists range from the Rhythm Blues to 

the Viennese Waltz. The current schedule of events will be available online 

nearer the date of the competition. 

The competition will be preceded by a weeklong ice dance seminar run 

by Skateaway with David Lunn & Katie Bennett. This seminar will include 

dances from the competition and the opportunity to pick up top 

techniques and artistic detail. 

You will also be able to take advantage of the beautiful 4 star hotel with 

its very own outdoor thermal baths. You may want to try the skiing, 

husky racing, beautiful walks and ballroom dancing! 

If you need further information on the dances and rules contact 

Elizabeth Gibbs and visit our website www.worldicechallenge.org for 

full details. 

Closing date for competition entries: 15th December 2006 

Contact: elizabeth@gibbs.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1395 567887 

29 King Alfred Way, Newton Poppleford, Devon EX10 0DG 

Manchester Ice Palace in the 1940's - then the 

oldest rink in Britain. 

His no-nonsense approach plus his expertise 

and perhaps above all his integrity was 

appreciated by all who had the privilege of his 

acquaintance. Together with his partner Rita 

Carr he always had time to give expert advice 

and encouragement to young dancers and 

probationary judges and made a valuable 

contribution to our sport during the golden age 

of British ice dancing. We send our condolences 

to his family and to Rita. 

(by Noel Grimshaw) 


Sian-Marie battles illness but is 

determined to skate Sián-Marie Edkins writes to us 

with her story 

As October is officially Lupus Awareness Month, I thought I would write to tell you about 

my constant battle with this debilitating illness. I've been skating since I was 6 and 

enjoyed success at competitions from the age of 9. I was on the verge of being 

considered for British Novice; I was 13 at the time when I contracted this illness. 

For nearly a year, I was very ill: At one point I nearly lost my life, but I battled back. My biggest 

desire was to get back on to the ice. When I finally got there, I had lost every thing, spins, jumps, the 

lot! 

Steroids had blown my body weight and the constant tiredness that Lupus gives made it impossible 

to get through a program. Utter determination drove me on. I passed (then) my Inter Silver Field 

Moves, competed in the local competitions, and took part in Christmas Shows and the NTC 

Challenges. 

I have to be realistic, my jumps are a distant longing, but boy can I spin!!!!!!!!!! 

Lupus is with me for life, but so is my love and longing to skate. Skating has kept me as fit as I can 

expect to be, and proves you can overcome even the worst. 

So, if you think you can't do it - just think of me! 

Below two photos of me aged 9 (Lion King) and aged 20 (Mulan) with Systemic Lupus 

Erythematosus. 

Linx skaters remember George 

On Wednesday 6th September 2006 a tribute to George McLaughlin MBE was unveiled by 

his daughter Brenda Gow at the Aberdeen Beachfront Linx Ice Arena watched by a large 

number of club skaters who had interupted their training session to be a part of this 

emotional tribute to a fond friend. 

George sadly passed away in 

December 2005. The unveiled 

memorial was George's Linx Club 

sweater, adorned with many badges, 

and framed with a photograph in 

recognition of him collecting his MBE 

for services to Aberdeen University. 

He was known to many generations 

of skaters not only in his last 13 years 

at the Linx Ice Arena but many years 

before that at the long closed Spring 

Garden rink in the City. For many 

years George was an Honorary Club 

Instructor for "The City Of Aberdeen 

Linx Skating Club", and over the years 

he had taught many to skate from 

toddler, mum/dad and even 

grandma... 

George was a dedicated club 

member, never missing a session and 

was always early and always first to 

volunteer at party and fund raising 

events. 

Also attending the unveiling, was 

popular club coach Sheila Neish, a 

lifelong friend of George's and herself 

recovering from major surgery 

We are all happy now that George's 

tribute has pride of place at the Linx 

Ice Arena - welcome back home 

George..... 

right: Sheila Neish with Brenda Gow 

Pat is new NISA Finance Officer 

F ollowing 

the departure of Kathreen France to pastures new, 

we are delighted to welcome Pat Richardson to the NISA 

Head Office Team as our new Finance Officer. 

A Nottingham born and bred lass, (she will only admit to being 

over 21... again)! Before joining NISA, she worked in various 

accounting / finance roles, mainly within industry for over 20 

years, latterly as part of the finance team with the UK subsidiary 

of a group of Shopfitters, dealing with many High Street 

Companies as well as reporting to the Head Office in Sweden. 

Away from work she enjoys a quiet life. She loves to be in the 

fresh air, walking, cycling or occasionally a round of golf with her 

son (although he says her game is more like hockey!) Pat Richardson


Nottingham Arena rocks with 'Iced Energy' 

Rhiannon Morris sends us a personal review from the NIC 

On Saturday 9th of September, the National Ice Centre, Nottingham, premiered 'Iced 

Energy', a star-studded line-up of World Class and Olympic skaters. Produced by 

Skate World's Adam Coombes and directed and choreographed by Steven Cousins, 

'Iced Energy' is the show with the 'wow' factor and power-packed performances. It is also a 

tribute to the very 'Best of British' music. 

Opening with an extravaganza of light, sound and colour, pair skaters Jason Dungjen and 

Yuka Sato thrilled the audience with an impressive throw double axel which brought a roar of 

approval. 

Olympic Gold medallist, Ilia Kulik, strutted his stuff, peppering his routines with a number of 

flawless triples and intricate, flamboyant step sequences. 

Six-time Canadian Champion and former World and Olympic contender, Jennifer Robinson, 

performed to 'It's Got to be Perfect' - and for Jennifer it was! With artistry and athleticism 

combined, the audience clapped along and wanted more! 

World and Olympic gold medallist, Ekaterina Gordeeva was stunning in an aquamarine and 

diamante chiffon dress. She held the audience spellbound with her grace and fluidity of 

movement as she skated to Sting's 'Fragile.' 

Brian Boitano, former World and Olympic champion, delighted the onlookers with his 

signature move the Tano Triple Lutz in which he raises his left arm above his head whilst 

performing this formidable jump. His performance throughout was dynamic and agile. With 

each jump he demonstrated exactly why he has achieved legendary status. 

Violetta Afansieva and Pete Dack, former winners of the American Open Championships, gave 

a fiery and passionate performance. Violetta's skating and gymnastic ability on the ice 

revealed a Bielmann Spin of which even Denise Bielmann may well be envious! Her acrobatic 

skills using hoola-hoops left the audience mesmerised as she whirled the hoops around every 

part of her body in every direction. It has to be seen it to be believed! 

Canadian Olympic Gold medallists, Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, skated an emotional and 

powerful programme to Queen's 'Who wants to live forever?' With gravity-defying lifts and 

artistry to match, the audience became immersed in both the skaters and the music. 

British Ice Dance Champions, John and Sinead Kerr gave exhilarating performances. Quite how 

Sinead lifted and carried John upside-down is a mystery, but it was a definite crowd pleaser! 

The Kerrs were also central to a hilarious comedy routine, skating to Madness' 'It Must Be 

Love', in which John is pursued by an 'amorous' David Pelletier and Sinead is chased around 

the ice by three other male suitors. 

Former eight -time British Champion and World and Olympic contender, Steven Cousins, 

delivered a funky and energetic performance. His routine included triple jumps, double axels 

and an impressive combination spin. He was every inch the entertainer and gave the audience 

exactly what they had come to see. There were plenty of cheers and whistles from admiring 

fans! 

The entire show was dazzling from start to finish. It was "Iced energy," and unmissable. If you 

missed it, you've missed out! 

Britain's top dance couple - Sinead & John Kerr 

Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen 

Photographs courtesy 

NIC Press Office 

Steven Cousins - shakin that a......! 

The legendary Brian Boitano 

Jennifer Robinson - 'Got to be Perfect!' 

Learning from the best 

The National Ice Centre’s Academy skaters have been getting top tips from World and 

Olympic skating champions. In a special two day seminar at the NIC, 38 skaters were 

coached by Steven Cousins and Jennifer Robinson. 

Eight times British Ice Skating Champion Steven Cousins, was the first Briton to land a triple 

axel in competition and Jennifer has won the Canadian Championships six times and taken 

part in eight World Championships – so they really were learning from the best. 

The two day workshop included on and off ice classes learning everything from edge work, 

jumps and spins to artistry and theatre. 

And Jennifer said some of the youngsters showed real promise: “They seemed to catch on 

really well and were very keen to hear everything we had to tell them. It gave us a chance 

to really delve into figure skating and concentrate on things like jumps and spins in 

detail.” 

Jennifer and Steven were both in Nottingham after starring in the ‘Iced Energy’ skating gala 

on Saturday 9th September. And as Jennifer explained, many of the Academy skaters had 

seen them in action in the show: “That’s how I started out, watching skaters in shows when I 

was little and thinking I want to do that – it’s a great way to learn.” 

The skaters taking part in the seminar ranged from group two skaters to our elite athletes 

so each class was tailored to their specific needs. 

Geoff Huckstep, Chief Executive at the National Ice Centre said: “We thought this would 

provide our skaters with the opportunity to be coached and inspired by two World and 

Olympic skaters and learn from their skill, energy and experience. We felt that Steven and 

Jennifer could make a significant contribution to the development of our skaters and 

would be a positive influence through their professionalism, discipline and commitment to 

the sport.” 

Ice Link Issue 68 page 7


iceSheffield is home 

from home for aspiring 

ice dance couple 

Atransatlantic skating partnership is going for Great British gold thanks to iceSheffield. 

16-year-old Christina Chitwood has left her Colorado home in the USA to move to the city 

and skate at Sheffield's state-of-the-art ice arena with her new ice dance partner, Mark 

Hanretty. Mark, 21, from Glasgow, has also uprooted to adopt the Sheffield International 

Venues (SIV) facility as his home in a bid for the couple to make the Great Britain team for the 

2010 Olympic Winter Games, in Vancouver. 

The pair met through iceSheffield's Olympic level 

coach, Jimmy Young, and say the facilities at 

iceSheffield were a major draw in deciding to 

move to the city. 

Christina explains: "Jimmy knows my old coach 

back in Denver and introduced Mark and I to 

each other last December when Mark was 

searching for a new ice dance partner. 

"It was a huge decision for me to 

leave Colorado Springs and move 

across the Atlantic to England, 

especially at 16 years old, but 

the facilities at iceSheffield are 

some of the best around and 

beat any North American rinks. 

"It is rare that you find two 

Olympic sized ice pads in one 

venue and so we both 

decided that this was the best 

place to progress our careers. 

"The move was quite hard for 

me at first but having spent a few 

months here with my mum, who 

has also moved to Sheffield, I'm really 

getting used to city life. 

"Sheffield has lots of similarities to Colorado 

Springs and there is so much going on with all 

the shops, galleries and cinemas, and having the 

Peak District right on our doorstep is just 

fantastic." 

Despite Christina's American roots, the ice cool 

couple are now training to make the Great 

Britain team for the 2007 European Figure 

Skating Championships, in Poland. 

Mark, who also coaches young skaters in his 

spare time at iceSheffield, said: "Although 

Christina could compete for the USA, having 

made the switch to iceSheffield for the facilities 

we both feel like this is our home now and we 

are totally focused on achieving our international 

ambitions. 

"We're targeting the European Championships 

next January and in order to be selected for the 

national set up we will need to gain the top two 

scores out of all ice dance couples in the 

country this year. We are currently 

training four hours a day and we are 

confident of catching the eye of 

the national selectors." 

However, despite being able to 

represent Great Britain at a 

European level, making the GB 

team for the 2010 Winter 

Olympic Games could be more 

of a challenge. 

Christina added: "At the 

moment I don't have British 

citizenship so although this isn't 

an issue when it comes to 

European competitions I wouldn't 

be able to represent the country at 

the Olympics. 

"To help fast track the process we are lobbying 

MPs and I'm completing a course in performing 

arts at Rotherham College. We are also searching 

for any local sponsors in the city to help cover 

the cost of my education and our training and 

competition expenses. 

"Moving to a new country can be quite a culture 

shock for some people but Sheffield is such a 

wonderful place. I feel I have totally embraced 

the city and can't wait to fulfil my dream of 

representing the city and Great Britain in major 

skating competitions." 

Telford skaters enjoy Wild 

Rose summer camp 

Vacancy for Professional 

Ice Skating Coach 

We are seeking applications for a committed, 

professional ice skating coaches to develop and 

enhance our coaching team at Aberdeen's modern 

beachfront ice arena 

Ice Dance coach preferred however all applicants will be 

considered 

Minimum NCCP 2 qualified 

Closing Date Monday 16th October with CV to: 

Ice Figure 

Ice Dance 

Duty Manager 

Linx Ice Arena 

Beach Esplanade 

ABERDEEN AB24 5NR 

For further information call 01224 655455 

Writes Mal Travis Telford 

rink duty manager 

Telford Ice Rink held their first summer skating school this week.It hosted 40 pup ils ages ranging 

from 5 to 40 years of age. Making guest appearances from the Wild Rose Productions company 

were Russian championship skaters Olga Deplidge and Dmitri Naomkine. Pictured with the 

skaters are Ice Rink coaches Tony Rice, Ann Marie Jones, Natalie Weston,Cheryl Rushton Jaquie Lloyd 

and assistant Louise Allington. The school was a great success and will be repeated next year. 

Wild Rose will be performing at the rink in November with the production of Peter Pan. 

Ice Arena 

Synchro 

Adults

Home Countries Focus 

A roundup of news from the Home Countries 

Paisley closes after 'heave' 

Skaters at Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre ice rink were shocked to find on 

5th September that their facility had been closed with immediate effect 

on Health & Safety concerns, and could be closed for up to a year. 

Apparently water is permeating underneath the concrete pad, which then freezes, expands and 

pushes the pad upwards in what is known as "heaving." Over the past few weeks this 'heaving' has 

become considerably worse and has led to fears that this could become a safety hazard. 

The closure comes at a difficult time for Paisley skaters, where there are many talented up-andcoming 

young athletes, just as they are preparing for the Sk8scotland Open Championships in 

Dumfries in only three weeks time. NISA tests scheduled for mid September had to be transferred 

to Murrayfield where a generally high standard resulted in 24 successful passes out of 26 tests. 

Sk8scotland will be writing to Renfrewshire Council highlighting the quality of skating talent they have 

at Paisley and urging them to address the technical problems as a high priority. 

Building work starts on 

temporary Cardiff ice rink 

Following news in August issue of Ice Link that Cardiff ice rink had 

closed its doors, we hear that work is well underway on building a temporary ice rink at the 

International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay. 

The new rink will replace the Wales National Ice 

Rink, which will be demolished later this year to 

make way for the St David's 2 development in 

Cardiff city centre. 

The temporary ice rink at the site in Cardiff Bay, 

which is due to be completed in September 

2006, will have 2,000 seats, changing facilities, 

offices and cafeterias. 

Piling has been carried out with the installation 

of cast concrete piles, followed by reinforced 

concrete pile caps and foundations and finally 

the laminated timber frame shipped from 

Finland. 

The temporary rink will be in place for between 

three to five years. Although the provision of a 

new permanent facility is not exclusively 

dependent on Government approval for a new 

regional casino at the International Sports Village 

site, should that approval be granted then this 

will ensure that funding for a permanent 

replacement rink is available within a shorter 

timescale. The permanent facility will be a new 

Thousands of Sheffield school children are 

hitting the ice at iceSheffield's Olympic 

size ice pad, in Attercliffe, as part of their 

PE curriculum in a bid to keep fit and healthy. 

During the summer term, from April to July 

2006, more than 4,700 primary and secondary 

school children used the Sheffield 

International Venues (SIV) facility, an increase 

of 22 per cent from the same period last year. 

Record numbers of city schools are also signing 

up to take their pupils to iceSheffield when the 

new term starts in September. Already 

registered for next term are the pupils from 

Birley Community College, who will enjoy a 30 

minute coaching session followed by a 

recreational skate. 

Dawn Small, a teacher at Birley Community 

state-of-the-art multi purpose arena which will 

provide world class facilities for sport and 

entertainment alike and have a minimum seating 

capacity for ice hockey of 4000. 

The temporary rink will have full vehicle access, 

car parking provision, with major improvements 

to public transport facilities, including regular 

bus services between the city centre and the 

Sports Village. 

Cardiff Councillor Rodney Berman said: "I am 

delighted that work on the new temporary rink 

is now underway. Providing high quality ice 

facilities for skaters in the city was always a 

priority for this council and it is very good to see 

the new structure going up. This marks another 

exciting chapter for the International Sports 

Village which, when completed, will be one of 

most impressive sports and leisure destinations 

in the UK." 

Not too much longer for Cardiff skaters who are 

currently having to travel to Bristol and Swindon 

for training. 

Meanwhile Irish eyes are smiling 

as well! 

D undalk in the Irish Republic is to be the home of a new full-size Ice Dome, and the country's 

only indoor rink. Situated just over the border from Northern Ireland, this new facility will be a 

major benefit to skaters throughout the Emerald Isle as Dundalk lies within easy reach of both 

Dublin and Belfast. 

The new rink is scheduled to open and be ready for use on 4th December 2006, just in time for a 

Christmas ice bonanza. The developers have already indicated they are looking at up to five other 

sites for Ice Domes in Eire, including Cork, Waterford, Derry, Limerick and of course Dublin. 

The Irish Figure Skating Association is not yet a member of the ISU, but is affiliated to NISA. 

Back to school is cool for kids at 

iceSheffield 

College, said: "iceSheffield is a fantastic venue 

and we have used it as part of our PE curriculum 

for the past two years. Ice skating is a really fun 

activity that helps keep the kids fit and active 

during term time - and they absolutely love it!" 

Mandy Janes, general manager at iceSheffield, 

said: "It is fantastic to see so many school 

children having fun on the ice. Ice skating has 

become really popular over the past twelve 

months and the increase in television coverage 

has certainly helped to raise the profile of the 

sport." 

iceSheffield has dedicated slots for school 

groups throughout the week. For more 

information call 0114 223 3900 or visit 

www.icesheffield.com 


Learning to 

skate with 

When you can skate 

backwards confidently, 

you can progress to 

backward crossovers. You 

should learn to do these on a 

circle, or part of a circle, and 

in BOTH directions! 

1 

Face into the 

circle. Push off 

backwards on 

to an outside 

back edge 

3 

Start to cross 

your extended 

right leg over in 

front of your left 

leg. Make sure 

you keep your 

body weight 

leaning into the 

circle 

Start to 

cross this 

leg over 

your other 

leg 

5 

Start to extend 

your left leg. 

Hold your body 

in the same 

position 

throughout the 

movement 

Bend the new 

skating leg 

Face into 

the circle 

Keep you arms 

outstretched to help you 

balance 

Continuing our repeat of this 

popular series 

In this issue 

Backwards 

Crossovers 

"Backward Crossovers" adapted 

courtesy of Peter Morrissey and Dorling 

Kindersley Publishing 

2 

Keep moving along 

on the outside 

edge. The left side 

of your body should 

be rotated back 

and the free leg is 

out in front 

Bend your 

knees 

strongly as 

you push off 

Keep all your 

body weight on 

your skating leg 

6 

Free leg 

Your feet should 

be crossed 

Keep your upper 

body towards the 

centre of the circle 

Bend your right leg 

and extend the 

left leg to 

complete the 

crossover. Close 

your feet and 

repeat the steps 

Bend the knee of 

your skating leg 

very deeply 

Although now out of print, The 

Young Ice Skater by Peter 

Morrissey may be available from 

good book shops or from the 

website www.amazon.co.uk, 

and not from the NISA office - 

amazon.co.uk is an excellent 

site providing information and 

details on many hundreds of 

books on ice skating. 

To help in your search it may 

be useful to quote the ISBN 

number of the book which is 0 

7513 5808 8 

Your arms are level and 

outstretched 

"First Steps" adapted courtesy of Peter 

Morrissey and Dorling Kindersley 

Publishing 

4 

Transfer your 

body weight 

onto your front 

(right) leg. The 

right skate 

should be on an 

inside back 

edge 

Inside edge 

Keep looking in the 

direction you are 

travelling


NJS training swings into action 

Following the adoption of the New Judging 

System by the ISU in 2004, Britain and the 

National Ice Skating Association has been 

one of the first ISU member countries to fully 

embrace the system and implement it for 

domestic competition and championships. 

In 2005, the NISA first trialled the system the UK 

in what were termed NJS Assessment events 

held at iceSheffield, followed by the 

Sk8scotland Championships in Dumfries in 

October last year, where the new system was 

used in actual competition for the first time in 

the UK. Following this successful test, the NJS 

was then used at the 2005 British Championships 

in iceSheffield last December. 

Although the concept of the system is relatively 

straightforward, as the saying goes, "the devil is 

in the detail". 

Skaters build their programs incorporating a 

series of technical elements (jumps, spins, steps 

etc) each of which can vary in terms of Level of 

Difficulty. Depending on the basic difficulty of an 

element, skaters can add/incorporate features 

which can take it to a higher Level of Difficulty. 

Each element attracts a certain number of points 

(as prescribed by the ISU). As a skater performs 

an element in a competition, Technical 

Specialists "call" the element (eg Double Loop) 

and this is entered into the computer by a Data 

Entry official. Simultaneously, a panel of judges 

evaluate the actual performance of the element 

and award it a Grade of Execution or GOE, 

which can increase or decrease the value of the 

basic element. As the program continues, the 

skater accumulates points according to the 

technical content of his/her program and the 

quality with which he/she performs it. Additional 

points are awarded by the judges in what is 

Smile - now you can relax, you've passed the NJS course! 

We are pleased to say that the 

following qualified as: 

NISA Figure Technical Specialists: 

Kevin Marshall 

Stuart Bell 

Tara Fehilly 

Ann Findlay 

Jacqui Martin 

NISA Data Inputters 

Amanda Knight 

Olga Efremova 

Melilssa Maczka 

Jade Poulton 

NISA Video Cutters 

Amanda Knight 

Olga Efremova 

Melissa Maczka 

Jade Poulton 

NISA NJS Results 

Gwyn Davies 

David Wiles 

Darryl Jones 

John Donnelly 

termed the Program Components scores, and 

the end result is an absolute score for each 

skater. The highst scoring skater wins. 

Having summarised the system in a paragraph, 

we turn now to the IT equipment needed to run 

the NJS - a veritable PC World storeful of 

computer hardware and software! Laptops with 

swivelling touch screens, microphones, 

headphones, video cameras, editing equipment, 

Liz Littler instructs trainees amid a tangle of 

wires! 

Photos - delegates at the 

seminar needed all their 

concentration 

John Donnelly contemplates 

his next move! 

printers and miles and miles of wires!! 

One of the major problems facing the 

development of the NJS in the UK is however the 

availability of suitably trained UK individuals to 

officiate at UK events. During 2005 into 2006 a 

huge effort was put into training Britain's coaches 

to understand the NJS, while NISA judges and 

numerous British coaches underwent ISU training 

to qualify as International NJS judges and 

Technical Panellists. 

As part of NISA's ongoing commitment to 

training and development at all levels within our 

sport, a training seminar was recently held in 

iceSheffield for UK based Technical Specialists 

(singles and pairs), Data Inputters, Video 

Operators, Video Cutters, and Results, and on 

this page we have tried to give you a flavour of 

everything that seminar entailed. 

Well done to everyone who participated, and 

congratulations to all who qualified. 

NISA is always looking for volunteers to support 

our work and if you would like to become 

involved at any level working at national NISA 

events, please contact Keith Horton at 

keith.horton@iceskating.org.uk or 

tel 0115 988 8080. 

Keyboard skills are no 

problem for Gwyn Davies


British Championships advance information 

Now in 

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Book early to 

avoid 

diappointment


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Ice Link issue 68 (Page 3) - National Ice Skating Association

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