LATEST NEWS

Waterloo, Ontario, September 14^th, 2023 — National Coaches Week is a week-long public awareness campaign that encourages people in Canada to say thanks and to celebrate the tremendous positive impact coaches have on athletes and their communities. This week puts a spotlight on coaches and gives this integral part of Canadian sport a thanks. With events held across the province and country to celebrate coaching, National Coaches Week provides coaches with the recognition they deserve for the time they devote to ensuring people in Canada live an active, healthy lifestyle. This week, encourage yourself to say thanks to the more than 70 coaches who call Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club home.

“At KWSC, we are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated coaching staff committed to the development of skaters of all ages and abilities,” said KWSC Technical Director, Anabelle Langlois-Hay. "We have experts in various fields, including CanSkate, figure skating, and assisting hockey and ringette players in honing their skills for a competitive edge. Each coach on our team brings something special to the Club. Whether it's years of experience teaching the fundamentals while instilling a passion for skating to start skaters on their figure skating journey, focusing on promoting lifelong physical activity through skating, specializing in comprehensive skater development, coaching competitive figure skaters, helping adults learn to skate, or refining skating techniques for hockey or ringette players, our coaches are both passionate and dedicated. We are so lucky to have them alongside our skating journey. Please join me in expressing our appreciation for our exceptional coaches!"

During the 8th annual National Coaches Week, KWSC will be honouring our amazing team of Coaches through numerous activities and events. Please consider stopping by the National Coaches Week table in the CFSC rink and write a note of gratitude for our #THANKSCOACH display.
 

If you would like more information about National Coaches Week, please visit https://coach.ca/national-coaches-week.

KITCHENER WATERLOO, [September 1, 2023] – The Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club (KWSC) is proud to announce that two of its outstanding Junior Ice Dance Teams have been selected to represent Canada at the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix Series. In addition to this remarkable achievement, both teams have also earned coveted spots in the Skate Canada NextGen Program, reaffirming their talent and dedication to the sport.

Caroline Kravets and Jacob Stark, coached by the seasoned duo of Paul MacIntosh and Tyler Morris, will be taking the ice in Budapest, Hungary from September 20-23, 2023. Alisa Korneva and Kieran MacDonald, under the guidance of coaches Carleigh MacDonald and Paul MacIntosh, will showcase their talents in Yerevan, Armenia from October 4-7, 2023.

Each year, the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series features approximately 300 talented young Figure Skaters aged 13 to 19 from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Oceania as well as Africa and provides them with the possibility to compete at the international level. 

“We are excited to be going on our first Junior Grand Prix together”, said Kieran MacDonald. “We have been working very hard towards this goal, and we are looking forward to competing together internationally for Canada.”

“Over the next few weeks, we are going to keep training hard in preparation for this competition”, shared Alisa Korneva. “Our goal is to put out two strong skates just like we did at the August competition in Waterloo. We are grateful to Skate Canada for this opportunity.”

Joining them in Armenia and with equal excitement is Coach Carliegh MacDonald. “Alisa and Kieran are very hard working, dedicated athletes […] I am continuously impressed with their passion and dedication to the sport. They always approach their training with their goals at the forefront of their minds.”

I'm incredibly proud to be representing Canada, Kitchener Waterloo and KWSC, at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Budapest. This marks Caroline's and my first time showcasing our talents on the international stage representing Canada”, said Jacob Stark. “I want to extend my gratitude to our coaches, choreographers, teammates, and club staff for their unwavering support and help in preparation.”

“It is an incredible feeling to see students that you’ve worked with since they were very young, entering into the International field of Competitive Figure Skating”, said Coach Tyler Morris. “I know personally how enjoyable the experience of a JGP can be. I hope they are able to take in every moment and enjoy the experience”. 

KWSC Technical Director, Anabelle Langlois-Hay also conveyed her enthusiasm, stating, "The selection of both Ice Dance Teams for the Skate Canada NextGen Program demonstrates their consistent excellence and potential. Our club has a legacy of nurturing talent, and we are thrilled to see these athletes progressing to the next level”.

Skate Canada's NextGen Program supports athletes and coaches through development and training opportunities, aiming for success in World and Olympic Games. This program is delivered in partnerships with Skate Ontario, Own The Podium, and Canadian Sport Institutes.

KWSC strives to support all athletes in their personal development, offering opportunities for coaching, assisting with programs, and administration. Kieran, Caroline and Jacob are qualified CanSkate Coaches and a true example of the Club’s mission to inspire a lifelong passion for excellence through skating.

The Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club extends its heartfelt support and best wishes to Caroline Kravets and Jacob Stark, as well as Alisa Korneva and Kieran MacDonald, as they embark on this exciting international adventure. The club is eager to witness their stunning performances on the world stage as they make their community and nation proud.

  

The Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club (KWSC) is thrilled to introduce Laszlo Sarkany as the new president of the Board of Directors. Bringing a diverse range of experiences to his new role, Sarkany is ready to lead the club into an exciting new chapter: the post-COVID era.

Sarkany's impressive background includes a prominent presence in academia. He currently holds teaching positions at Huron and King’s University Colleges at Western, as well as at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo. He attained a Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at the University of Weatern Ontario, where his focus centered on the work of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). His expertise lies in the realm of international criminal justice, exploring the relationship between justice and politics within the framework of the Court's institutional design.

Furthermore, Sarkany's commitment to continuous learning is evident through his participation in professional development courses. He engaged in courses on mass atrocity prevention at Concordia University in Montreal, and further enhanced his skills in social science methodology at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and the University of Vienna in Austria.

Sarkany's dedication extends beyond his academic pursuits. He played an active role as a member of the delegation representing 'No Peace without Justice', a non-governmental organization registered with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations during the annual Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court, held in The Hague and New York.

Outside academia, Sarkany is deeply engaged in his community. He contributes his time and expertise at the YMCA of Three Rivers as an outdoor services outreach staff member and adult program instructor. In addition, his passion for soccer shines through as he manages conflicts on the soccer field as a match official and Ontario Soccer accredited assessor.

The Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club expresses our enthusiasm for the new chapter under Laszlo Sarkany's leadership. His unique blend of academic accomplishments, commitment to justice, and community involvement is set to inspire and drive the club's growth and success.

Welcome, Laszlo!

The Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club

The Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club is pleased to announce our new two-year partnership with Blueprint Nutrition.

Blueprint Nutrition is a nutrition practice based in Waterloo, ON. Their team of dietitians specialize in sport and performance nutrition, as well as child and family feeding dynamics. Together, with Blueprint Nutrition, our goal is to educate, empower, and support young athletes and their families to fuel their bodies to feel and perform their best; while developing a deeply positive relationship with food and body. We want our athletes to have a lifelong positive relationship with food - to fuel them for their sport and beyond.  Blueprint Nutrition’s Dietitians, Cara and Jenny, will be working with KWSC skaters, and are excited to be part of our team!

To kick off the summer skating season, all Dance, Comp, STAR 5-10, STAR 1-5 and Adult skaters have been invited to a virtual Summer Intensives nutrition session hosted by Blueprint Nutrition. This initial session will introduce parents and skaters to the foundational concepts of nutrition for skating. Topics will include:

• How to eat enough for performance, training, and growth (including strategies for picky eaters for the parents session)
• What to eat and drink before and after practice
• What to eat and drink during long training days
• How to recover properly after training
• Practical strategies for meal prep and planning

When:
Wednesday, June 28^th from 7-8pm (Skaters)
Wednesday, June 28^th from 8-9pm (Parents)

Where:
Online (via Zoom – link will be sent before the session)

Stay tuned for more resources throughout the year!

• Fueling Guide for Figure Skaters (PDF) – available online in July
  This comprehensive fuelling guide for skaters will cover topics such as:
  • How to build balanced meals that will help with performance and energy levels
  • High performance snack ideas for athletes
  • What to eat before and after practices and on competition days
  • Practical ideas for meals, meal planning, and prepping
• Virtual Winter Session #2 for Skaters and Parents
  We will build on the above topics and focus on what to eat/drink on competition days, recovery nutrition, and nutrition for injury prevention and immunity.
• Coaches Session
  An annual session for Coaches that will provide practical tools and strategies
• Follow Blueprint Nutrition on social media – @blueprintnutritionsport

Cara Kasdorf, Lead Sport Registered Dietitian & Co-Owner
Cara Kasdorf is the Lead Sport RD and co-owner of Blueprint Nutrition.  Cara holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutritional Sciences degree from the University of Manitoba, and a Masters of Applied Nutrition from the University of Guelph, and has completed numerous training in the area of sport nutrition, eating disorders, and body image.  Cara has been working as a sport Dietitian for 16 years, and has helped hundreds of athletes achieve their goals.  Cara truly believes that eating as an athlete means understanding how to fuel your body for what it needs, listening to and respecting what your body is telling you, truly enjoying delicious and nourishing food, and most of all, appreciating all that your body does for you!
 

Jenny Accettura, Sport Registered Dietitian
Jenny Accettura is a sport RD with Blueprint Nutrition.  Jenny holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Ryerson University, a Masters of Science degree from the University of Toronto, and has 11 years of experience working as a Dietitian.  Jenny brings energy and passion to her work as a sport dietitian. Her experience as an athlete and dancer allows for a deep understanding of the rigors of sport and the importance of proper fueling. Jenny supports youth and teen athletes to learn about proper fueling, as well as athletes struggling with eating disorders and poor body image. She compassionately guides her clients toward nurturing a healthy and positive relationship with food and their bodies.

Waterloo, Ontario - The Rotation Room (TRR) in Kitchener Waterloo is thrilled to announce its grand opening seminar and ribbon cutting ceremony, taking place this Saturday, June 3rd at Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club Manulife Financial Sportsplex and Healthy Living Centre (RIM Park), 2001 University Ave, Waterloo, ON N2K 4K4

• OPENING CEREMONIES/RIBBON CUTTING: 9:00AM – 9:15AM
• SEMINARS: 9:30AM – 5:15PM
• ADDITIONAL HARNESS/ELECTRIC SPINNER LESSONS: 5:30PM – 7:00PM

Opening ceremonies will take place inside The Rotation Room in KW (fitness centre beside CFSC Rink in RIM Park).

Seminars will take place in various rooms in RIM Park (see attached schedule) including the Waterloo Public Library, Eastbridge Branch

ABOUT THE ROTATION ROOM IN KITCHENER WATERLOO GRAND OPENING SEMINAR
Over the past few months, the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club staff have collaborated with Jonathan Mills and The Rotation Room team to bring a one-of-a-kind, skating specific off-ice training facility called The Rotation Room to Kitchener-Waterloo. ‘We are excited to be the second training center in the country to implement this advanced training technology for figure skaters,’ said Anabelle Langlois-Hay, Technical Director of the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club. For a glimpse of the equipment in action, please watch this video: The Rotation Room Equipment Video.

‘This new addition to our facility will significantly benefit skaters from the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club and the surrounding skating clubs. Our primary objective is to support the skill development and performance of skaters by offering harness lessons and spinners as innovative elements within our skater training models’, said Debra Brown, Execitive Director of the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club.

To celebrate the grand opening of The Rotation Room in Kitchener Waterloo, KWSC will be hosting a full-day seminar featuring renowned special guests and presenters!

JONATHAN MILLS, International Coach & The Rotation Room Founder

BRIAN ORSER, World Champion & Olympic Medalist, Coach of Olympic & World Champions

TRACY WILSON, World & Olympic Medalist, Coach of Olympic & World Champions

DR. JUDY GOSS, Skate Canada Mental Coach Advisor

JOSÉE BOURDON, Skate Canada Senior Manager, Coaching

CODY HAY, Olympian and Jump Technician

ADAM SCHUMACHER, Jackson Ultima Sales Representative

SABRINA WONG, ISU Official

Participants of the seminar include skaters, coaches and parents who have registered for the seminar. These registrants are from KWSC and surrounding skating Clubs.

Media Contact:
Debra Brown, KWSC Executive Director  
Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club
P: 519-886-5972 ext. 229  E: kwsc@kwsc.org 

KWSC President, Mary Ann Winterhalt, Carolyn Moss, and Lisa Collins 

Kitchener, May 16, 2023 – On Tuesday night, Carolyn Moss was presented with the prestigious 2023 Kitchener Sports Association (KSA) Volunteer of the Year Award for her exceptional dedication to the Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club (KWSC). The accolade was bestowed upon Carolyn during the KSA Banquet held in recognition of outstanding contributions to sports in the community.

For over eighteen years, Carolyn has been an integral part of KWSC, actively involved in various capacities. Notably, she served as a Board Member for six years, contributing her time and expertise to the organization's governance. Additionally, Carolyn's support extended to behind-the-scenes for shows, skating programs and competitions, as well as personally participating in the Adult Skating Program.

Carolyn's remarkable talent lies in her mastery of costume design and sewing. Over the past decade, she has led the KWSC Costume Committee as Chair, showcasing her creativity and resourcefulness. Carolyn's ability to craft unique costumes and her recent initiative in forming a team of skilled sewers allowed for the production of costumes for over 250 skaters in the KWSC Ice Show. Her commitment to excellence extends beyond the club, as she has generously loaned KWSC's costumes to clubs across the province and as far as Newfoundland. Carolyn's efforts have amplified the skaters' performances, ensuring they look and feel incredible.

Aside from her creative flair, Carolyn's exceptional organizational skills have proven invaluable to KWSC. As the Secretary of the KWSC Board of Directors, she meticulously maintained accurate records and willingly assumed additional responsibilities when needed. Carolyn actively participated in the development of a multi-year strategic plan for the Club and contributed to a comprehensive recovery plan following the challenges of the pandemic.

A devoted enthusiast of synchronized skating, Carolyn's involvement has spanned various roles, including her own participation on the adult synchronized skating team and supporting her own children in skating. As the Manager of the synchronized skating teams, she skillfully managed finances, organized fundraisers, coordinated activities, arranged choreography, and ensured everyone was well-informed and entertained.

Moreover, Carolyn assumed the role of Chair of the Awards Committee, consistently exhibiting integrity and fairness in her execution of the awards process. Whether formally or informally, she readily offers her assistance at almost every KWSC event. Carolyn's remarkable dedication to the Club was previously acknowledged when she received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2018 and the Mark Psutka award, which recognizes volunteers who embody a passion for figure skating and serve as role models.

Carolyn's unwavering commitment to KWSC has been truly remarkable, sometimes surpassing the demands of her full-time job. Her relentless pursuit of excellence, paired with her humble recognition of others' achievements, makes her an invaluable member of any team.

KWSC extends its deepest gratitude to Carolyn Moss for her exceptional volunteerism and congratulates her on receiving the 2023 KSA Volunteer of the Year Award for KWSC. Her remarkable contributions and unwavering support have enriched the KWSC community for years, and she serves as an inspiration to all.


All Award Recipients