January 2004 (revised Sept 10/07)
| Skater Criteria Policy: Skaters working on the following tests, will skate in the appropriate programs for that discipline: Pre-Junior: CanSkate Stages 5 and 6 (Completed Canskate Stage 4) Jr. Skills: Preliminary & Jr. Bronze Sr. Skills: Sr. Bronze – Gold skills Jr. Dance: Preliminary & Jr. Bronze Sr. Dance: Sr. Bronze - Diamond Dances Jr. Freeskate: Preliminary Sr. Freeskate: Jr. Bronze - Gold Freeskate All Stroking and Technique sessions criteria will be based on Freeskate level |
1) Exceptions to the Skater Criteria Policy that will be considered include:
- Skaters that have not reached their 10th birthday and have passed the senior qualifying test for that discipline (i.e. Junior Bronze Skills, Junior Bronze Dance, Preliminary Freeskate), may request to remain in the junior program for the current skating season (Sept 1 to April 15).
- When skaters reach their 12th birthday, they may request to skate at the senior level, even though they have not yet passed the senior qualifying test for that discipline.
- Skaters that pass the senior qualifying test during the current skating season, may request to remain in the junior program for the rest of that season (Sept 1 to April 15).
- All exceptions not fitting these criteria will only be considered if submitted with written reasons.
- Skaters having completed CanSkate Stage 4 can apply to the SCE subcommittee to be allowed to skate with a coach during Jr. ice time provided that there is availability on the ice time asked for and the request will not pose a safety threat to any skater
2) Before a request that a skater be granted an exception will be considered by the Fergus Skating Club - Skater Criteria Exception subcommittee (afterwards called the SCE - subcommittee), all Pro Coaches under contract to the Fergus Skating Club and coaching in the Star Skate programs, must indicate in writing to the board that they are in unanimous agreement that this exception be granted in this case. This is to assure the FSC board that all Pro Coaches are in agreement that this skater be allowed to skate on the requested program.
3) All requests will only be considered if they are jointly forwarded to the SCE - subcommittee in writing by the skater (or parent or guardian if the skater is less than 18 years of age) and the Pro Coach primarily responsible for the instruction of the skater to be considered. This is to assure the FSC board that all parties are in agreement with the requested exception. Email communication will be considered as a written request if both parties forward the email to the president and the vice-president of the FSC board.
4) While considering an exception request to remain in the junior program, no skater will be required to move to the senior program before the SCE - subcommittee rules on the request.
5) Once the SCE - subcommittee has ruled on a requested exception, no appeal of this decision will be considered for 6 months.
6) The Fergus Skating Club - Skater Criteria Exception subcommittee of the FSC board consisting of the President, Vice President, Test Chair, Competition Chair and Pro Coach Liaison. In event of one member missing, the Secretary will be the substitute member of the subcommittee. This subcommittee will only meet as necessary and provide a written decision to the skater / parent and Pro Coach within 14 days of receiving the complete written submission - which must include the Pro Coaches recommendation.
