Rumors continue to circulate but, the writing appears to be on the wall that Skate Canada has made the decision to make its lesser seniors do a Challenge event to qualify for Canadians. This appears to be a done deal even before the issue gets discussed and voted on at the Skate Canada Annual General Meeting.
Press releases for 2008 in Vancouver announce that 150 athletes will compete over 5 days as compared to 250 over 7 days in Halifax. Greg Guy, reporter for Skate Canada at Canadians in Halifax is quoted in the Halifax Chronicle Herald as saying “Word is Skate Canada will most likely follow suit next year, with the full field of skaters being decided from the previous national championships and the Eastern and Western Challenges leading up to Canadians.”
How unfortunate that we will prop up and protect some skaters for years giving them funding and development. Yet, we deny those who are our grass roots talents, potential coaches, judges and volunteer base of a single chance of competing at the big one.
The decision always seemed inevitable but, the way in which it is slowly being unveiled will leave a lasting mark on sport. Halifax under the current format seemed to deliver some new possibilities; the crowd held its breath and lifted up the new comers. It also voiced its displeasure when the system seemed to fail. Such voices are the grass roots of skating that pay the bucks and who will be watching to see what the result of the new changes will be.
These voices wonder how in a world where other countries grow new talent regularly and crown new national champions every year or so, we chose to make certain ours reign for several years.
It will be interesting to monitor the longevity of participants from the Junior Nationals events as they go forward. For many, giving it their all, is worth it to pass their Senior Competitive Test and get a chance after years of dedication to skate at Canadians. Knowing that half of the available senior spots in any give year are blocked and that there is now an additional hurdle in the way may take its toll.
Press releases for 2008 in Vancouver announce that 150 athletes will compete over 5 days as compared to 250 over 7 days in Halifax. Greg Guy, reporter for Skate Canada at Canadians in Halifax is quoted in the Halifax Chronicle Herald as saying “Word is Skate Canada will most likely follow suit next year, with the full field of skaters being decided from the previous national championships and the Eastern and Western Challenges leading up to Canadians.”
How unfortunate that we will prop up and protect some skaters for years giving them funding and development. Yet, we deny those who are our grass roots talents, potential coaches, judges and volunteer base of a single chance of competing at the big one.
The decision always seemed inevitable but, the way in which it is slowly being unveiled will leave a lasting mark on sport. Halifax under the current format seemed to deliver some new possibilities; the crowd held its breath and lifted up the new comers. It also voiced its displeasure when the system seemed to fail. Such voices are the grass roots of skating that pay the bucks and who will be watching to see what the result of the new changes will be.
These voices wonder how in a world where other countries grow new talent regularly and crown new national champions every year or so, we chose to make certain ours reign for several years.
It will be interesting to monitor the longevity of participants from the Junior Nationals events as they go forward. For many, giving it their all, is worth it to pass their Senior Competitive Test and get a chance after years of dedication to skate at Canadians. Knowing that half of the available senior spots in any give year are blocked and that there is now an additional hurdle in the way may take its toll.