CanSkate Excellence Recognition Program

CanSkate Excellence Recognition Program

Skate Canada is recognized as having the best grassroots program in the country. CanSkate, Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program, emphasizes teaching quality fundamental movements and basic skills.

The Skate Ontario CanSkate Excellence Recognition Program is designed to reward Ontario Clubs/Skating Schools that are implementing best practices in the delivery of their CanSkate programs. This three-tiered recognition program acknowledges clubs working to meet the Skate Canada delivery standard, identifies clubs who meet the standards and highlights those who exceed them.  

Skate Ontario has identified the need to adapt our CanSkate Excellence recognition program given the challenges Clubs/Skating Schools are facing to access ice time and adopt new protocols. For the 2021/22 season (or until further notice), Clubs/Skating Schools will be expected to adopt the revised CanSkate COVID delivery standards. 

Effective  April 23, 2021 the “CanSkate Excellence – Engaged” tier has been integrated into the program to give all Clubs/Skating Schools the opportunity to be part of the CanSkate Excellence club this season. 

The three tiers of the CanSkate Excellence Recognition Club now include: 

  • Engaged 🔵 
  • Achieved ✅ 
  • Exceeded⭐ 

CanSkate Excellence Club Recognition Levels 

Engaged 🔵 

Clubs/Skating Schools who are actively engaged in earning their CanSkate Excellence status will be recognized with a 🔵 beside their club’s name in the club directory and “Find a Club” tool on the Skate Ontario website.

To earn this recognition, Clubs/Skating Schools must complete the CanSkate Excellence Trainer Program (see details below). They must also commit to run their CanSkate programs at the Skate Canada delivery standard and be prepared for a club CanSkate session assessment within 15 calendar months from completion of the CanSkate Excellence Trainer Program. 

This 🔵 indicates the Club/Skating School is actively engaged in the CanSkate Excellence recognition application process and has committed to the standard. Prospective skaters and parents will be able to identify clubs who are engaged and committed to the standard for the CanSkate program.

Achieved ✅ 

Clubs/Skating Schools who complete the CanSkate Excellence application and review process to reach the Achieved CanSkate standard will be identified by a ✅ beside their club’s name in the club directory and “Find a Club” tool on the Skate Ontario website. 

The ✅ clearly indicates the club/skating school has met the CanSkate programming standards. Prospective skaters and parents will be able to easily identify clubs who have proven standard for the CanSkate program.

⭐Exceeded

Clubs/Skating Schools  who complete the CanSkate Excellence application and review process to achieve Exceeded CanSkate standard will be highlighted with a ⭐ on the website. Starred clubs/skating schools will have priority listing on the website. These clubs/skating schools are listed in priority on the “Find a Club” tool for prospective skaters/parents.

In an effort to highlight the exceptional programs across our province, we will continue to highlight CanSkate Excellence – Exceeded clubs/skating schools by featuring them on our social media. The feature could be in the form of a picture, story or shout-out on one or more of our social media platforms.

Note:  All clubs/skating schools who have already achieved the CanSkate Excellence – Exceeded standard will be included within the updated CanSkate Excellence – Exceeded recognition status.

How does our Club/School receive the CanSkate Excellence – Engaged status? 

  1. Complete the CanSkate Excellence – Engaged program Intent form. 
  2. Completion of the “CanSkate Excellence Trainer Program”:
      • Send a minimum of (1) coach from your club/skating school to the CanSkate Excellence Trainer Webinar*. Registration can be found HERE. 
      • Commit to running your programming within (or exceeding) the Skate Canada Delivery standards and to be assessed for the CanSkate Excellence Recognition Program within 15 months of completing the CanSkate Excellence Trainer Program. 
      • Pay the $60 + HST fee for application and evaluation. To submit payment, CLICK HERE.  
      • Clubs/Skating Schools will receive access to one-on-one program planning and implementation support while engaged in the program.

*The ‘CanSkate Excellence Trainer Webinar’ consists of a 1.5-hour interactive webinar to review the CanSkate program delivery standards. There will be material to review prior to the session. A minimum of (1) coach per club/school must attend. Clubs/Skating Schools are encouraged to register multiple coaches. The coach(es) in attendance will be responsible to ensure their club/skating school CanSkate sessions are executed in accordance with the Skate Canada delivery standards. 

How does our Club/Skating School earn the CanSkate Excellence – Achieved or CanSkate Excellence – Exceeded recognition? 

Option 1 – CanSkate Excellence – Engaged pathway 

  1. Achieve CanSkate Excellence – Engaged status – within 15 months of achieving the CanSkate Excellence – Engaged status, complete the following: 
  2. Review the CanSkate Excellence Resource Chart (updated July 30th, 2019) to see if your club/skating school meets the program delivery standards for Achieved or Exceeded. Detailed explanations, tutorials and examples are referenced for each standard. 

For the 2021/22 season (or until further notice), Clubs/Skating Schools will be expected to adopt the revised CanSkate COVID-19 delivery standards.  

3. Fill out the checklist and application at Application Survey. You will need to include a detailed session plan including the following items: 

  • Session format/layout – Include the number of stations and the format on the ice for lesson time. 
  • Session timing – Include a schedule of the session breakdown (Warm-up (5 min), Fast track (30 sec), Lesson time #1 (10 min), Fast track (30 sec), Lesson #2 (10 min), etc.) 
  • Lesson set-up and Schedule – Show how groups rotate to the different stations on the ice. Identify how coaches organize lesson time to ensure that all skills are taught. 
  • Session evaluation: Skate Ontario will determine the method of evaluation. 
    • CanSkate Specialist visit – A CanSkate Specialist (CSS) will travel to your club to watch a session live. The CSS will evaluate your session based on the same criteria listed in the CanSkate Excellence Resource Chart (updated July 30th, 2019). 
    • Submit a video – The video includes an entire CanSkate session (with sound), including all session parts (Warm-up, Lesson time, Group activity, Cool-Down). 
  • Upon completion of the session evaluation, clubs/skating schools will receive written feedback and results of the evaluation. 

Option 2 – Direct CanSkate Excellence – Achieved/Exceeded pathway 

  1. Review the CanSkate Excellence Resource Chart (updated July 30th, 2019) to see if your club/skating school meets the program delivery standards for Achieved or Exceeded. Detailed explanations, tutorials and examples are referenced for each standard. 

For the 2021/22 season (or until further notice), Clubs/Skating Schools will be expected to adopt the revised CanSkate COVID delivery standards.  

2. Fill out the checklist and application at Application Survey. You will need to include a detailed session plan including the following items: 

  • Session format/layout – Include the number of stations and the format on the ice for lesson time. 
  • Session timing – Include a schedule of the session breakdown (Warm-up (5 min), Fast track (30 sec), Lesson time #1 (10 min), Fast track (30 sec), Lesson #2 (10 min), etc.) 
  • Lesson set-up and Schedule – Show how groups rotate to the different stations on the ice. Identify how coaches organize lesson time to ensure that all skills are taught. 
  • Session evaluation: Skate Ontario will determine the method of evaluation. 
    • CanSkate Specialist visit – A CanSkate Specialist (CSS) will travel to your club to watch a session live. The CSS will evaluate your session based on the same criteria listed in the CanSkate Excellence Resource Chart (updated July 30th, 2019). 
    • Submit a video – The video includes an entire CanSkate session (with sound), including all session parts (Warm-up, Lesson time, Group activity, Cool-Down). 
  • Upon completion of the session evaluation, clubs/skating schools will receive written feedback and results of the evaluation. 

3. Payment – There is a $60 + HST fee for application and evaluation. To submit payment, CLICK HERE.  

CanSkate Excellence Highlights

Skating ClubCanSkate Excellence Highlight
Collingwood Skating Club"I like to Move it" with the Collingwood SC CanSkate!
Drayton Skating ClubCanSkate at Drayton SC offers Creative Dance Classes!
East Gwillimbury Skating ClubEast Gwillimbury SC CanSkate: Off Ice Training
Elite Edges Skating SchoolElite Edges uses innovative techniques to maximize ice usage
Gananoque Skating ClubTeam Work Makes the Dream Work
Gloucester Skating ClubWinter Wonderlude with Gloucester CanSkate Fun Zone!
Huntsville Skating ClubFun isn't only on the ice in Huntsville!
Kenora Skating AcademyCanSkate Element Event Days at the Kenora Skating Club
Kingston Skating AcademyKingston Skating Academy Puts Skaters First
Mississauga Figure Skating ClubCool-Down with the Mississauga Figure Skating Club
Nickel Blades Skating ClubJunior PA Captains and PAs Inspire at the Nickel Blades Skating Club
ON Russell SCON Russell SC CanSkate Excels at Skater Engagement
Oshawa Skating ClubProgram Assistants in Oshawa are Absolutely amazing!
Rideau Skating ClubSkate Ontario Asks: What makes your CanSkate program great?
Skate Canada Brampton-Chinguacousy Skating ClubWhat makes the Brampton-Chinguacousy CanSkate Great!
Stirling Skating ClubOutstanding and Dedicated Program Assistants at the Stirling Skating Club!
Thunder Bay Skating Academy#CanSkate incentive=Great Idea!
Trenton Skating ClubKeeping Parents Informed at the Trenton Skating Club

Please note: As part of the CanSkate Excellence program, Skate Ontario will be conducting random visits to affirm standards are being met.