BCSSA ODC final committee report for the 2014-2015 season

Budget: we were under budget this year: approx. 2700

We purchased a computer, laser printer and router for the recorders (trial lower mainland). Most of the printers are coming from the club with the cost of the cartridge sometimes comes from the recorders pocket. The printers have been inconsistent at the clubs. This should lessen the burden at the club level for the recorders and for the recorders themselves.

Official Upgrades 2014- 2015 season:

38 people for level 2 (this year 4 level 2e designations for electronic work on finish lynx place judge and timers)

95 people for level 1

4 persons for level 3 upgrading

ODC has been driving what is needed across the province. We are still short on recorders and referees but we are improving. We will have new referees in Kelowna, Kamloops and Vernon 2015-2016 season (level 1).

20+ clinics throughout the province

Ear plugs purchased for all starters

Almost paperless meet PG and at the CWG

Ariadne secured Finish lynx system but this can be used across the province for select meets. There is however a cost involved.

Over +15% increase in officials and volunteers at meets. We have made it easier for people to get their official levels. This has been loosely based on the fact that the officials will be tied to events at their level. You don’t need level 4’s doing mini meets and you don’t want level 1 doing national meets. We need mentors to balance this. BCSSA ODC has made it easier to upgrade from level 1 to 2 and we need to appreciate people who want to volunteer so BCSSA ODC needed to recognize their efforts more than ever. The criteria for Referees, starters and recorders is still tough and ODC will not sacrifice these positions for the sake of advancement.

This year 20-14-2015 we noticed a significant shortage and lack of training across the province for recorders. There was no mentorship or lack thereof. So we are moving ahead with plans for the coming season.

This year 2015-2016 season we are introducing mentors for the recorders at the meets. This will be cost supported by ODC and the clubs (the same criteria as referees and starters). The clubs will pay for the room and ODC will pay for the travel (cost sharing) and food/per diem. Over the last 2 years BCSSA ODC has absorbed this cost to lessen the burden on the clubs (this is of course based on the budget each year and could vary).

We are having a recorder clinic at the AGM that will work closely with the coaches to align the protocol for meets with the recorders. This should help meets, recorders, coaches and the skaters to have more meaningful meets across the province. This was very noticeable at most meets across the province over the last few seasons.

Yellow card policy:

A committee was struck with two meetings and many e-mails were exchanged on formulating the policy.

Yellow card committee consisted of: Coaching committee, Executive director, technical director, Barb Beck, Richard Stickel, Nancy Goplan, BCSSA ODC committee. The yellow card policy was put in place for a year trial as per last year’s AGM. The final policy would be brought forward to the BCSSSA Board before the 2014-2015 AGM. Coaches and BCSSA membership were asked to submit suggestions on the new proposed policy. One person submitted suggestions and changes to the yellow card policy. Several words were changed to reflect suggestions within the policy. Overall the yellow card committee felt that this was a fair policy making up where there is a lack of follow-up in the red book and the green ISU book. More than likely this policy will go to SSC for use across Canada.

Concussion policy:

Began discussions last year after the AGM. Chris Ted and I had early discussions on what was needed and ideas were tossed around. At the BC CWG trials there was discussion with Chris, Jason, Chris and Ted in regards to the concussion policy and what that would look like for: coaches, skaters, officials and cost to the province.

What risk assessment to BCSSA that would entail?

The concussion policy was drawn up in February. The policy was also forwarded to Sport med BC who were very impressed with the policy and gave it the unmitigated go ahead. Gymnastics BC also “borrowed” our medical policy for their use.

1.  Concussion protocol

2.  BCSSA suspected concussion form

3.  Pocket concussion recognition tool

4.  Return to play (SSC protocol and the skaters doctor)

Medical policy and the EAP were changed to reflect the new concussion protocol and were redesigned to fit as individual modules that could be taken out and used.

Next year 2015-2016:

·  Video replay system $1200

·  Clock for rinkside to get the skaters to the line in 10 seconds. (Computer and monitor)

·  Mentorship for the recorders and categorization of the meets level 1 and level 2

·  Protocols for the meets standardized between coaches and recorders (?4-5 meets to choose from)

·  Moving towards electronics more e-designations

·  Recorder mentorship

Respectfully submitted

Stuart Gibbs

BCSSA ODC