Skate Ontario is pleased to introduce our September Member Spotlight, Skate Brockville. Skate Brockville has been teaching and promoting skating in their community since 1966 – almost 60 years! SkateBSC’s mission is to “foster a love for skating but also nurture the confidence and accomplishment that learning something new brings to us all.”

Photo: Courtesy of Brockville SC

Due to their exceptional reputation and community outreach strategies – including social media campaigns and locally-targeted advertisements – Skate Brockville saw significant growth last season. This club reported a more than 100 per cent increase in the number of registrants for their PreCan program and a 50 per cent increase in registrants for their CanSkate programs. In addition, their Rising Stars program (for skaters stages 4-6) increased from two skaters to 15 skaters in only a year and a half! In order to draw adult skaters to the club, Skate Brockville also added in both an Adult and Teen Learn to Skate program to their calendar this season.

Photo: Courtesy of Brockville SC

SkateBSC’s CanSkate program is run by several coaches and a very large and engaged group of Program Assistants. This group of PAs is made up of StarSkaters, high school and college-aged volunteers and adult skaters. As a result, CanSkaters receive plenty of one-on-one help and the club has seen these skaters progress onto StarSkate very quickly. These accomplishments are always celebrated, and skaters are always encouraged to move up when ready. This creates a safe, fun and engaging learning environment at the club.

Skate Brockville’s board, coaches and a PA’s all prioritize fostering collaboration, community and a supportive work environment. As a result there is a wonderful sense of unity at the club. SkateBSC coaches and the club president are in touch daily, either in person or online, to keep the lines of communication open and positive. Monthly executive meetings are held to to collaborate and brain storm ideas, and members of this community often work together outside of the rink to benefit the club and strengthen collaboration and friendships.

Last season Skate Brockville received an “Achieved Status” designation in the Skate Ontario CanSkate Excellence Program. This season, they are working to review the feedback they received and and implement changes that will boost their status to “Exceeded Standard” at the time of their next evaluation.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, Skate Ontario is absolutely pleased to have Skate Brockville as one of the very first clubs to achieve an “Engaged Status” in the brand new STAR 1-5 Excellence Program! This means that the club delivers their STAR 1-5 program at or above the National Delivery Standards set by Skate Canada.

Skate Ontario is incredibly proud to spotlight Skate Brockville this month. Best of luck to this exceptional club, and all it’s skaters, in the upcoming season!

#SkateOntarioProud