Contents SSC President’s Report ......................................................................................................... 2 National Office Report .......................................................................................................... 5 Committee Reports ............................................................................................................ 13 High Performance Committee - Short Track .................................................................. 13 High Performance Committee – Long Track .................................................................. 17 Competition Development Committee .......................................................................... 20 Official’s Development Committee Report .................................................................... 23 Coaching Development Committee ............................................................................... 26 Sport Injury and Medical Emergency Committee (SIMEC)............................................. 30 Long Term Participant and Athlete Development Working Group ................................ 33 Club and Membership Development Committee .......................................................... 36 Branch Reports ................................................................................................................... 39 Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association .................................................................. 39 British Columbia Speed Skating Association ................................................................. 41 Manitoba Speed Skating Association ............................................................................. 43 Speed Skate New Brunswick .......................................................................................... 45 Newfoundland Speed Skating Association ..................................................................... 47 Speed Skate Nova Scotia ................................................................................................ 50 Speed Skating Nunavut ................................................................................................... 51 Ontario Speed Skating Association ................................................................................. 52 Speed Skate PEI .............................................................................................................. 53 Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec ............................................................... 54 Saskatchewan Amateur Speed Skating Association ....................................................... 69 Yukon Amateur Speed Skating Association .................................................................... 71 Organizing Committee Calgary Report ............................................................................... 72 Sport Canada Report .......................................................................................................... 75 1 SSC President’s Report June 2012 It is my great pleasure to share with you, members of Speed Skating Canada, the report of the Board of Directors and a few thoughts on the past year. I feel that this report is an important and vital step, and gives me an opportunity to share the Board’s various initiatives, decisions and areas of reflection. The contents of this report should not surprise you, because we have communicated regularly with the provinces and territories and with the Speed Skating Canada committees throughout the year. We have informed you of the status of our projects, shared our thoughts, and sought advice and guidance. I believe that the 2011–2012 season has been a pivotal year for our organization—we have done some rebalancing, yet the year has also been marked by upheaval and serious reflection. The main topics regularly on our meeting agenda were as follows: our association’s financial status 2011–2012 budget monitoring review of our association’s governance and structure SSC’s future strategic planning the new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, the Executive Director’s staff and all of the committees SSC’s place and its needs in the national and international sports scene risk management and safety in our sport progress made by the BOD subcommittees follow-up on implementation of the Long Term Participant and Athlete Development model etc. The 2011–2012 season has been a busy one. Although we’re experienced and clear-sighted enough to anticipate and plan for the work involved in our various projects and activities, as in any other season, we have invariably been faced with some surprises and have had to deal with a few problems. This has forced us to do better, work more closely together and communicate more effectively. Understandably, these problems have prompted us to take a fresh look at our association, hold discussions, specify our choices, review our priorities, and change our work plan where needed. As usual, our clubs welcomed a number of skaters this season. We hope that they were won over by the passion of the many generous trainers and volunteers who supported and shaped them. We hope that our clubs and provinces hold onto these new enthusiasts and increase their client base. We also hope that the achievements of our most seasoned athletes inspired them and made them feel as proud as they made us feel. The talent of our skaters never ceases to amaze me. I must highlight the 63 World Cup medals and 12 World Championship medals received by our short track and long track teams. 2 I have to point out that this has been an exceptional year for Christine Nesbitt, a consistent, hard- working athlete and top international performer, that the passionate, talented and highly promising Laurent Dubreuil's season has included a world junior 500-metre championship and 500-metre world record, that Denny Morrison earned a world championship title in the 1500 metres, that Olivier Jean earned the title of World Champion and won the World Cup in the 500 metres, and that Valérie Maltais skated to a world championship in the 3000 metres. In addition, the women’s pursuit team won a World Cup and the men’s relay team became World Champion and World Cup recipient. I would be remiss not to mention the full Canadian podium sweep at the World Cup in Saguenay. Thanks go to Charles Hamelin (gold), Michael Gilday (silver) and Olivier Jean (bronze), who thrilled us with their 1000-metre feat on October 30. This medal sweep was repeated in the 500- metre event at the World Cup in Moscow on February 5 by Oliver Jean (gold), Liam McFarlane (silver) and Charles Hamelin (bronze). So much talent! So much emotion! So much pride! This year, we hosted two international competitions, and as usual, held a number of competitions across the country. Thanks to our provincial partners, our organizing committees, and the outstanding officials and volunteers, we were able to offer our athletes and skaters from around the world unique experiences where they could showcase their talent in a healthy, safe and welcoming environment. I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Saguenay, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Sylvan Lake (Alberta), Richmond, and Fort John (BC). Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I know that the amount of work that was required by each of the provinces to manage a wide variety of competitions was just phenomenal and I especially appreciate the tireless effort that went into preparing and holding the national and international competitions. As with every year, our Executive Director, and the staff from the national office and national centres have supported the organization with their energy and talent. The years between Olympic Games may appear quieter but they are far from it. They have their share of challenges because the funding from partners and sponsors has decreased and planning is all the more sensitive and crucial. I believe that the SSC staff deserves our appreciation and recognition. I truly hope our financial status allows us to be more independent and creative in the near future and that we can spend time and money on projects and activities that will further strengthen the future of our sport. We are actively pursuing this goal and appreciate the contribution of the special committee set up to review our rate structure. We also appreciate the understanding and support of the provinces and territories. Some of the initiatives undertaken this year have a bright outlook and are greatly appreciated, including the Halifax oval, the Richmond competition, the online auction, and the ongoing Quebec City oval project. The structure of our sport is based on the work of our employees and the contribution of experienced volunteers, and I must highlight the unique contribution made by all of our committees. Thanks go out to the committee members and to the support staff for their 3 generosity, creativity, commitment and exceptional contribution. On behalf of the sport, and of athletes at all levels, thank you. This year, the Board of Directors welcomed three new members, and despite the disappointment of losing members whose efforts have been appreciated, I feel that renewal benefits an association and know that the Board of Directors has been enhanced by the quality and novelty of the questions and comments from the new members. Obviously, the personal assets of the individuals serving in this capacity make