The Skate Ontario Awards & Recognition Program 2025

Nominate someone today at the links below!

At Skate Ontario, we are proud to recognize those who embody our core values of leadership, accountability, collaboration and excellence. The Skate Ontario Awards and Recognition Program program shines a spotlight on the remarkable talent, hard work and creativity that drives our success and strengthens the joy of skating.

Important Dates:

  • January 21 – Nominations Open
  • March 15 – Nomination Deadline
  • April 14-18 – Awards and Recognition Week

Skate Ontario Awards & Recognition List for 2024-2025:

  1. Adaptive Skater Award
  2. Adult Skater or Team Award
  3. Podium Pathway Athlete Award
  4. Podium Pathway Synchronized Skating Team Award
  5. Synchronized Skating STAR Award
  6. STAR Athlete Award
  7. Club and Skating School Coach Award
  8. Club/School of the Year Award, presented by Uplifter (This winner will also be recognized nationally as the National Club/School Award for Ontario)
  9. Club/Skating School Volunteer of the year Award (This winner will also be recognized nationally as the National Volunteer Award for Ontario)
  10. Elizabeth Swan Memorial Award
  11. Official Award
  12. Data Specialist Award
  13. Outstanding LOC Award
  14. Officials Recognition (Honouring Years of Service)

Awards Criteria

Adaptive Skater Award

Criteria:

  • Participates as an adaptive skater and/or Special Olympics skater.
  • Demonstrates a joy for the sport.
  • Contributes to a welcoming and positive skating environment.
  • Strives for personal growth and new goals.
  • Inspires the skating community.

Adult Skater or Team Award

The Section Adult Skater Award is to recognize adult skaters who have demonstrated a commitment and joy for the sport. Recipients of this award have displayed passion for the sport and have achieved success throughout the season in relation to their personal skill development, growth, and goals.

Criteria:

  • Be 18 years of age or older and must not have registered or competed in a Podium Pathway (Pre-Novice or higher) category at a Sectional qualifying competition in the current skating season.
  • Reflect the essence of the Active for Life/Competitive for Life pathways:

-Active participation

-Personal success

-Displaying spirit and passion for the sport

-Striving for new goals

-Achieving balance within skating and in other areas of life

-Giving back to the sport

  • Be an exemplary role model and inspiration for other volunteers, skaters and/or coaches, officials.
  • Show great interest in making the sports’ future direction better.

Podium Pathway Athlete Award

*Note: This will be awarded by Skate Ontario Podium Pathway Manager*

Criteria:

  • An individual, pairs, or ice dance team who exhibits spirit, dedication, determination or other favorable qualities
  • A positive role model for other athletes
  • An individual, pairs or ice dance team who combines off-ice and on-ice training in order to meet his/her/their competitive goals

Podium Pathway Synchronized Skating Team Award

*Note: This will be awarded by Skate Ontario Podium Pathway Manager*

Criteria:

  • A synchronized skating team of the current competitive season qualified for the Canadian National Skating Championships or the Skate Canada Cup
  • A synchronized skating team who exhibits spirit, dedication, determination, or other favorable qualities
  • The team will be positive role models for other athletes and teams
  • A team who combines off-ice and on-ice training to meet their competitive goals

Synchronized Skating STAR Award

Criteria:

  • A synchronized skating team of the current competitive season entered in the Skate Ontario Synchro Series events
  • A synchronized skating team who exhibits spirit, dedication, determination or other favorable qualities
  • The team will be positive role models committed to the betterment of their community and skating club/school
  • A team who combines off-ice and on-ice training to meet their season goals

STAR Athlete Award

The purpose of the Section STAR Athlete Award is to recognize skaters who have demonstrated determination and commitment to the STAR program. Recipients of this award have displayed joy for the sport and have achieved success throughout the season with personal skill development and growth.

Criteria:

  • Participation
  • Achievement
  • Personal Success
  • Displaying spirit and joy for the sport
  • Striving for new goals
  • Achieving balance within skating and in other areas of life
  • Giving back to the sport by assisting at club level (Program assistant, volunteering for club events, etc)

Club and Skating School Coach Award

Criteria:

  • Active in Skate Ontario Excellence Programs (CanSkate Excellence, STAR 1-5 Excellence)
  • An individual who contributes in a positive manner to their club or skating school
  • A coach who inspires others to embrace the joy of skating
  • A coach who has demonstrated commitment to the development of the sport of skating
  • A registered Skate Canada coach in good standing with a minimum NCCP status of CanSkate Coach Certified or Regional Coach (STAR) Certified

Club/Skating School of the Year Award

*Note: This winner will also be recognized nationally as the National Club/School Award for Ontario. The link to nominate can be found through Skate Canada.*

Criteria:

  • An active and operational, registered club or school in good standing
  • Demonstrates that it supports, and meets or exceeds all program delivery standards
  • Demonstrates strong collaboration among its volunteers, coaches, and administrators
  • Demonstrates effective and innovative marketing and social media strategies
  • Cultivates and maintains a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment
  • Embodies and exemplifies Skate Canada’s values of safety, integrity, collaboration, excellence and innovation
  • Embodies and exemplifies Skate Ontario’s values of leadership, accountability, collaboration, and excellence

Elizabeth Swan Memorial Award

Criteria:

Active and currently registered adult volunteer whose club and/or region efforts have produced specific, positive results in his/her/their section

Official Award

Criteria:

  • A Skate Canada technical representative, evaluator, judge, referee, technical controller or technical specialist who is currently registered with Skate Canada and active at the Section level or lower
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of Skate Canada rules, policies, philosophies and programs Is keen to share accurate information with other officials, athletes, coaches, parents and administrators with the interest/intent of developing figure skating and figure skaters in Canada
  • An individual who has given quality service to the Section and the organization in general

Data Specialist Award

Criteria:

  • A Skate Canada data specialist who is currently registered with Skate Canada and active at the Section level or lower
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of Skate Canada rules, policies, philosophies and programs Is keen to share accurate information with other officials, athletes, coaches, parents and administrators with the interest/intent of developing figure skating and figure skaters in Canada
  • An individual who has given quality service to the Section and the organization in general

Outstanding LOC Award

Criteria:

  • Must have hosted an event in partnership with Skate Ontario in the 2023-2024 season from any series including Sectional, Synchro, Provincial, STAR 1-4 or Bring on the Fun
  • Demonstrates the main objective of events in Ontario: staging an athlete-focused, meaningful competitive experience in a fun, fair and safe environment
  • Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders during the planning and execution of their event including with Skate Ontario Event staff, the Technical Representative, the Lead and Computer Data Specialists and other Local Organizing Committee members
  • Meets all deadlines as outlined in the Event Hosting Agreement, established work plan and work back schedule
  • Keeps a positive attitude throughout the planning process and during the event

Be part of the Celebration! Nominate someone today!