STARSkate
Prerequisite*
Program Summary
Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters may take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. Skaters who have mastered figure skating skills in STARSkate may also choose to synchronized skating or pairs skating.
Skills
Tests
Achievement
Recognition
(What STARSkate is all about!)
Announcement: Fall/Winter Registration Is Now Open
StarSkate Legacy
STARSkate has been the mainstay of skating in Canada for more than four decades. When you register your skater for a STARSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to:
STARSkate Membership Includes:
- opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills
- complimentary Gold Test pins
- invitational and inter-club competitions, including the STARSkate championship stream
- specifically designed awards and incentives such as badges, tattoos and stickers
- STARSkate Skater of the Year awards program
- Special STARSkate events and club functions
- Opportunity to be talent-scouted
- Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, healthy lifestyle and coping strategies to deal with success and failure.
STARSkate with Newmarket Skating Club:
There are 3 STARSkate levels at NSC: Bronze, Silver and Gold For information about testing, competitions and moving up to higher levels, your best resource is your child’s coach or you can email: skatingprograms@newmarketskatingclub.com
How STARSkate Assessment Works:
STARSkate program assessment consists of skating skills in four areas – Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate and Interpretive. The following are Skate Canada videos that illustrate the new STAR 1-5 system.
Basic
Information:
Prerequisite::
The STARSkate program is for skaters who have completed Canskate (Stage 5) and covers four distinct elements: ice dancing, freeskating, skating skills and stroking.
Lesson Format:
When skaters have graduated from the Learn to skate program, you will need to arrange Coaching (Bronze/Silver/Gold)
Private Coaching:
When choosing a coach for your skater, there are a few things to consider including their rates, availability and qualifications. Rates are affected by the coach’s qualifications and experience; whether the lesson is private, semi private or a group lesson; as well as the length of the lesson.
Skate Canada:
All STARSkate Coaches are Skate Canada Certified! To learn more about coaches, visit the Skate Canada Website.
What Options are Available for a STARSkate Athlete?
Once a skater is in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program, there are several of options. Skaters may choose to remain in the STARSkate Program, taking tests (although not mandatory) at organized test sessions and honing learned skills. Skaters may also choose to enter competitions, while still trying Skate Canada tests. Other skaters may feel that they have progressed to a point where they may wish to enter the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program or become involved in synchronized skating, evaluating or judging, or participate as an adult or varsity member.
Skate Canada is in the process of implementing a new testing structure. More information about this will be posted when it is available.
STARSkate Coaches
Information for Parents – How to Choose a Private Skating Coach
Many of our CanSkate coaches are current or former NSC skaters who learned to skate in the same environment as your child during these sessions. When skaters have graduated from the Learn to skate (CANSkate level 5) program, you will need to arrange Coaching in one of the STARSkate Program levels (Bronze/Silver/Gold). When choosing a coach for your skater, there are a few things to consider including their rates, availability and qualifications. Rates are affected by the coach’s qualifications and experience; whether the lesson is private, semi private or a group lesson; as well as the length of the lesson. Contact a coach to find out if he or she is accepting additional skaters. If you have a question about this – please reach out and contact us for more information.
All of our CanSkate Coaches are Skate Canada Certified!
Competitions & Testing
STARSkate participants love to compete!
Our feedback indicates that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this. If you want more information about STARSkate assessments/testing and more, your best resource is your skater’s coach.
Invitational Competitions:
Invitational Competitions are offered, generally, to STARSkaters and competitive skaters. Most events fall within Skate Canada’s specifications regarding program length and eligibility to compete.
Skate Ontario hosts/co-hosts a number of competitions during the season for skaters to compete against their peers. For a list of this year’s opportunities, please visit Skate Ontario’s website and Event Calendar. Skate Canada continues to revamp and re-evaluate how your skaters progression should be measured. In 2019-2020 significant changes were introduced. Be sure to discuss these changes with your skater and coach(es) to ensure you create the right learning plan for your skaters.
(To learn more about Skate Ontario’s Competition Events and how to register)
“It takes a lot of patience and a lot of time to create something worthwhile.”
-Elvis Stojko (Canadian Olympic Figure Skater & 2-Time Olympic Medallist)
More Newmarket Skating Club Programs
CanSkate is designed for all ages (although age 5yrs+ is a guideline), with the focus is on fun, participation and basic skill development that can be used for figure skating, hockey, ringette and synchronized skating.
Did you know, we also have a Summer Skating Program? Learn More
Have A Question?
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