Welcome to the Figure Skating Section of the Milton Skating Club
Once your child has completed Level 4 of the CanSkate program, they will be invited to move up to Pre STAR sessions. As your child’s skills increase they will gradually move up in the STARskate program. There are 5 levels of STARskate. With each step forward, the level of commitment from both the skater and the family increase.
Programs and Levels
STARSkate stands for Skills, Tests, Achievement and Recognition.
STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate and interpretive skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.
Program Details
- Skaters must have completed CANSKATE Stage 4
- 2 day/wk commitment
- All lessons are all included in the fee
Equipment Requirements
- Figure skates
- Helmet is optional
The Milton Skating Club realizes that the transition from the Canskate program to the STAR 1 figure skating program is a very big change both in terms of the time commitment and the financial commitment. The Pre STAR program was developed to help ease this transition. The goal of the program is to help skaters at a specific skill level develop the necessary skills for figure skating in a timely manner, as well as be
prepared and familiar with the STAR 1 Figure Skating program when they are ready to enter it fully.
This program is a two day per week commitment which is similar to all other figure skating programs within our club however it allows skaters to remain in group lessons. The goal in the group lessons is to focus on skills that are specific to figure skating with the intent of developing a strong set of basics needed for future success. The groups are small and the skaters are evaluated on an ongoing basis as well as receive a progress report at the end of the program. Skaters will be introduced to dance, spins, jumps and power.
Family Commitment:
While your skater is enrolled in Pre-STAR sessions, you will not be asked to participate in the Family Commitment Program. If your skater moves to the STAR 1 by [Dec. 15th/19], you will be put on the schedule for CanSkate Table Duty (1 shift as needed). After Dec. 31/19, you are exempt from the program for the remainder of the current skating season.
PROFESSIONAL COACHES
Every skater must retain a professional coach. During the first two weeks of the season and any time a new junior joins the session we will have Program Assistants or experienced skaters on the ice to help your child become comfortable with the program. During this time you should be observing and talking to the members of our coaching staff to determine whom will best suit your child. It is expected that after the two-week orientation period you will have chosen a coach. The skater’s coach will give them private lessons in freeskate and dance and at the end of the month you will be billed for these lessons. A list of our coaching staff including credentials, experience and contact information is available on-line or on the bulletin board located by the club office at the Milton Sports Centre, Rink A.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons are a service provided by the professional coaching staff. As a parent you should discuss this directly with your child’s coach. A fee is charged by the coach for this service, and is agreed upon between parent and coach. Sometimes, a coach may teach groups of two or more of her/his student if they are working at similar levels thus reducing the cost. It is important to keep an open dialogue with your coach, as this is the best source of information. As a New STAR 1 it will take some time to adjust to the format of a Figure skating session. You will be spending more time working independently and although there is a structure to the session, young skaters sometimes find it difficult to make the transition from CanSkate to STAR 1. All arrangements are made between the parent and the coach – schedules and payment do not go through the main office.
The STAR 1 Session format is as follows:
| POWER | This group lesson is included in your session fee. During these lessons the skaters are learning and practicing proper technique of basic skating and crossovers both forward and backward. As you will see, all of the skaters practice these techniques every time they come on the ice. These skills are the basis for all future elements the skaters will learn. |
| FREESKATE | During this time the skaters practice their jumps, spins and other freeskate elements. Eventually, the skater’s coach will choreograph a freeskate solo to music and they may practice their solos during the freeskate time. Skaters may request their freeskate music from the music room. It is very important to pay attention to the other skaters on the ice as they skate forward, backward, jump and spin. The right of way should be given to a skater whose music is being played. |
| DANCE | The skaters will learn the components of the first compulsory dance; the roll, the progressive and the edge. They will then put these skills together to create the first compulsory dance of Skate Canada-The Dutch Waltz. Once the skater learns the steps, they will perform them with a partner. There are three preliminary dances; The Dutch Waltz, The Canasta Tango and The Baby Blues. During the dance session the skaters are only permitted to practice freeskate if they are in a private lesson with their coach. |
TESTS
When a skater is ready to try a test their coach will let them know. The skaters will be initially testing at low test days and will test The Dutch Waltz first. They will be evaluated by a Skate Canada official. There is a fee of $22 for the initial test and a additional tests are $12/test. ALL Star 1-3 test fees are now INCLUDED in your membership fees as of 2019-20 season. Star 4 and up, will be invoiced at $12/test.
COMPETITIONS
Competing is optional but most coaches feel it is important to compete even if you don’t have “Competitive Stream” aspirations. The process of preparing for competition focuses’ skaters efforts and the performance experience can improve performance under pressure both at competitions and test days. Besides, skaters enjoy competitions outside their club – they are exciting and skaters feel proud to represent their club. Our annual area competition is Skates Alive. This competition caters to all levels of skaters and is a good place to get your first taste of a skating competition. This is held in early December.
Please see our Finding a Coach page as well as Our Coaches for contact information and qualifications of our coaching staff.
STAR 1-5
Are you wanting to understand more about how the new STAR 1-5 system works?
Here are links to Skate Canada’s site about STAR 1-5.
Member Registration Package & Schedule
Follow the links below for information on Ice Schedule, Registration and Figure Skating Policies and Procedures.
- 2020-2021 Figure Skating Registration Package
- Skate Ontario Concussion Policy
- MSC Skater Code of Conduct
Pre STAR registration – to be confirmed
More Information
When you first start skating, your priority is to be warm and comfortable. You may wear skating dresses, skirts or sweat suit bottoms or stretch pants. These may be worn with warm tights, sweatshirts, sweaters or jackets. Gloves or mittens are important and the skater should always have a spare pair with them. It is important that the clothing be comfortable and not restricts movement. Hair should be kept neatly away from the face.
The most important piece of skating equipment is your ice skates. The skates consist of a boot, which is usually leather, and a blade. Your boots must fit properly, which means that they should be snug yet relatively comfortable, and provide good support for your ankles. A good pair of used skates will always be better than a pair of poor quality new ones. Your coach is the best source of information on which skates are best for your child.
The blades are made of steel and must be kept dry and well protected or they will rust. You should wear skate guards at all times off the ice. After you finish skating thoroughly dry your blades and boots with an absorbent cloth. The skates should not be stored with the guards on.
Skates should be sharpened after approximately 20 hours of skating. Your coach will be able to recommend where to have your skates sharpened and what type of grind should be done. Milton Skating Club offers in house sharpening bi weekly, usually on Fridays, emails are sent to notify our skaters.
Skates should not be sharpened just before a test or competition so allow the child to skate on them two or three times first.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact your base coach.
Family Commitment Program
The 2020-21 Family Commitment Program selections will be made available for ONLINE registration at a later date.
The 2020-21 Program Assistant shift selections will be made available for ONLINE registration at a later date.
- All Milton Home and Non-Home Club Members
- 11 years of age or older as of December 31st/20 and,
- STAR 2 level or higher are required to become a Program Assistant for Pre-Canskate and Canskate
- ALL PA’S are required to attend the mandatory training clinic.
- TWO PA shifts are required (optional for the 2020-21 season due to Covid-19)
Skaters will be scheduled for their training session at the start of the season
The Program Assistant Bursary
Program Assistants begin to receive a bursary after a one-time commitment of 20 mandatory sessions. Your bursary is added to your account at the end of Quickstart, Fall, Winter and Spring Sessions cumulatively, and may only be used for Milton Skating Club merchandise or club fees such as test and registration fees. The bursary cannot be exchanged for cash value at any time. As a Program Assistant you will receive $4.00 (elementary student) or $5.00 (high school student) per session.
High School Community Hours
You may choose to use your all or a portion of your sessions to complete the required Community Hours, instead of receiving the bursary. The club will give you a letter at the year-end banquet indicating the number of hours that you have volunteered for the Milton Skating Club as a Program Assistant.
Program Assistant Fleece Jackets
Each new Program Assistant will receive a new, fleece jacket that is yours to keep. The cost of the jacket is off-set by the 20 mandatory sessions that you are required to complete. You are expected to wear your jacket each time you help with a Canskate program along with a pair of black pants.
And Finally, Subsidize Your Skating Fees
A large portion of the fees that are brought in from Canskate go directly to cover the ice costs of your sessions!! Without these Canskate programs your ice fees would be considerably higher and would limit the amount of skating time available to you.
How do I sign up?
As part of your registration process, please select two sessions from the Program Assistant programs available. There are limited spots for each session, and as they fill up, you will no longer be able to select those sessions.
Please select only two sessions.
If you wish to do more, additional sessions may be available after the start of the season. There are also many opportunities throughout the season to help out fellow skaters as well, for competitions or illness.
PROGRAM ASSISTANT SUBSIDY POLICY
As mentioned a large portion of the fees brought into the Club are from our Canskate programs. These fees help subsidize your ice time and keep the cost down.
You may choose to buy out of the subsidy for $500.00(2 sessions of PA’ing for Hone Club Members) and $300.00 (1 session of PA’ing for Home Club Members– this is only for Grade 12 students and Competitive skaters). For Non Home Club Members your Buy Out is $500.00
If you choose not to participate in this subsidy program, you will be expected to attend all scheduled sessions.
If you are unable to make your session you must find a replacement to cover you
Anyone not finding a replacement or a replacement that does not show for their session will receive an invoice for $20.00 for each session missed to offset the subsidy.