The two month countdown is officially underway for Connaught Skating after a busier than usual summer.
The Richmond club has launched its fall schedule that ranges from roughly 200 skaters particiating in its CanSkate program to a select group of athletes on the ice frequently at the high performance level.
On this sunny and warm Thursday at the Richmond Olympic Oval, Connaught Director of Programs Keegan Murphy is taking a break outside after just wrapping up an afternoon session with his top skaters before the next session starts.
“CanSkate is our foundation,” explained Murphy of the club’s structure. “We do four sessions per week with roughly 50 skaters in each. “Skaters are then identified for the junior academy program which is a maximim 36 skaters and is a additional two more ice times a week.
“We know everyone in the junior academy is pretty committed at that point. The coordinator then reccommends names at the end of the season and I will go watch. It’s up to me to determine if they are ready private lessons or not.”
The club’s summer schedule included bringing skaters to a competition in Detroit for the first time. The provincial training group competed in Edmonton and a large contingent entered the annual Super Series Summer Skate in Burnaby. Murphy also headed to Anaheim with a couple of his athletes.
The events allowed skaters to test new elements in a competitive environment then head back to their home base to continue training, leading up to B.C./Yukon Sections in early November.
“In the skating world, we have saying that the work you need to get done, gets done in the summer,” said Murphy. “Take what you got done and push it by trying to get it out in competitions. You are only going to be about 70 or 75 percent in the summer and you want to work your way up in September and October.
“The kids did extremely well in Burnaby with lots of medals and podium finishes. We are very proud of them.”
Murphy added September is always a transition month for his skaters as they get use to their new classes and how it combines with their training. Some have flexible schedules and are receiving credits for their skating.
“We always make sure the academic goals are met at the highest of standards when they are training,” added Murphy. “What’s nice is once you reach the provincial team level and are competing at nationals, your training counts towards PE or maybe other electives.”
Mitchell Gordon, Larkym Austman, Danielle Gordon, Danica Vangsgaard, Jessica McHugh, Beres Clements and Elvie Carroll are some of the skaters who could be presenting B.C. at the 2016 Nationals in Halifax.
“They all are at various degress of progress,” said Murphy. “Some will be competing at a new level for the first time and will have to fight their way out of B.C. Somone like Mitchell is looking for a top five finish (in senior men’s) and making the national team.”
For more about Connaught Skating and its programs visit www.connaughtsc.com
