Youth hockey and figure skaters ages 9-16 that show extraordinary speed on ice could earn themselves an invite to the Richmond Olympic Oval's new Short Track Speed Skating Development programs.
The second of six recruitment sessions takes place on Thursday night (8-10 p.m.) and will continue until June 7.
"Short Track Speed Skating is a fast, furious, thrill a minute race on hockey ice," says David Morrison, Head Coach of the Short Track Speed Skating Development Program. "Within six to 12 months, we can get those with good skating fundamentals up to a competitive level with their peers."
Successful skaters will be invited to join the Oval's summer and fall development programs to build the skater's technical speed skating abilities. From there, the Oval would apply its 'Centres of Excellence' athlete development model, providing further professional coaching and flexible school scheduling.
"Our long term goal will be to create high performance athletes capable of pushing for provincial and national team spots," added Morrison. "Short track speed skating is a sport in which late entry athletes can be quite successful. Just take Kristina Groves as a great example. She did not start speed skating until she was 12 years old."
The four remaining sessions are slated for May 5 (noon-2 p.m.), May 11 (6: 158: 15 p.m.) June 1 (6: 15-8: 15 p.m.) and June 7 (8: 30-10: 30 p.m.).
Recruitment sessions will cost $25 for non-Oval Members and $20 for Oval Members. Registration is required at www. richmondoval.ca/register.
