2016 – 17Year-end Report
Athlete Development & Coaching DevelopmentCommittee
The season was another busy one with Atlantic Canadian meets, Quebec competitions, and several National events that our skaters attended in increasing numbers. It was encouraging to see our skater numbers growing at Quebec short track as well as good representation from NB at Canada East, National Qualifier, Juniors and Seniors. Congratulations to Brendan, Courtney, and Rikki for their ongoing progression at the SSC level with training at the Montreal center.
NB senta diverse team to Canada East hosted in Ottawa with 23 skaters from 6 of our 7 clubs. Congratulations to Anny Kang on a gold medal in the 2000m points and Melanie Boulerice on a bronze medal in the 1500 m. There were also 2 new Relay records (3000M 12/13 Boys and 3000M 11/12 Girls).NB waswell represented at Juniors and Seniors with 4 skaters at each event. These events are key opportunities for NB skaters to compete at the National level and we need to focus on maximizing our teams at these events every year.
Our skater funding for registration and per diems increased with increasing numbers. Our expenses totaled $22,500 for the season with $7700 for coaching expenses and $14,800 for skater costs.
Modified track movement standards were implemented at the start of the season from 100 to 111 m to be consistent with entry standards for Quebec East meets.
I want to thank our ADCD committee members for the season; Ed Wasson – Codiac, Andy MaGee – Saint John, Jeremy Martin – Restigouche, Sarah Groom – St. Croix, Devin Patterson – Fredericton, Charles MacNeil – Hampton, and Renaud Gionet – Caraquet. The Committee was responsive to the items we needed to approve this season.
Many thanks to Peter Steele who retired in September after developing so many skaters. We welcomed Scott Beamish to SSNB on January 1 and Scott was active with club visits and meet attendance in the second half of our season. Many thanks to Derrick MacLeod for covering our away meets in the fall.
The CWG guide has been updated and the camp cycle has been approved as we are at the start of our 2 year CWG preparation cycle in preparation for Red Deer 2019. There are some final details to complete on the Selection A points process. Thanks to Scott Beamish for taking a lead role in gathering input and making the edits to the guide as well as the input from the Committee members, Derrick MacLeod and several former CWG skaters.
We need to continue to build coaching depth at all our clubs as our current coaches (and in some cases their kids) get older and they think about life after skating. Some good progress this season with younger skater / coaches helping in several clubs. This will be an area Scott can help us with next season.
We had a quieter season at long track with the exception of Danielle Dumouchel who represented NB out west this season. I expect our participation to ramp up as we head in the CWG cycle.
Thanks again to all the skaters, coaches, parents, and volunteers for helping SSNB have a great season and making NB proud. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as your Chair of ADCD since September 2012 and look forward to passing the role onto a fresh set of eyes.
Kevin Scott, Chair - ADCD Committee