Update on nasty rink

Now there is talk about skaters boycotting the State Championships due to be held in October at that rink because of the way that rink management and coach has behaved. We are also thinking of lobbying the state organising body to have the championships moved to another rink.

In fact last Wednesday a group of skaters went to skate at the nasty rink (this is before our nice rink had reopened) and were locked out. When they did manage to get into the rink, the coach there went ballistic, swearing and abusing the skaters and coach who had arrived. Now they have put a blanket ban on any skaters who are not from that rink skating in any of the figure sessions.

Basically this coach was totally unprofessional and unethical in the way he behaved and should be banned from coaching. However the problem is who is going to enforce it. We will wait and see what happens.

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I can't believe that a bunch of intelligent adults with a common passion (ice-skating) have got themselves into this ridiculous situation of rivalry and antagonism. Forget about escalating it. You need to resolve it double-quick, so that you can help each other. How can the sport grow strong, if factions are fighting amongst themselves?

Rinks local to me all help each other out. For example, this time of year, they have to close for a few days to repaint the hockey lines, so they negotiate with each other to close at different periods, so that skaters and coaches can continue to practise at the other rink. The engineers are all friends, so if a Zamboni breaks down, they help each other with parts and know-how.

You need to rebuild relationships with the other rink. By the sound of it, there is just one coach there who is a complete idiot. You don't necessarily have to liaise with him. Why don't you arrange an inter-club friendly competition at a weekend, which has sections open to all levels and types of skater, and to which friends and family are invited to watch? You can lay on some food and drink at your rink, and run it like a proper competition with a panel of outside judges, and it will be very good experience for the skaters. Suggest you could run it as a a special event to celebrate the re-opening of your rink. Invite over all the skaters from the other rink to enter/spectate, and also from any other rinks in the area. If you can arrange it before the hockey season re-starts there will be plenty of free ice time. You could even advertise it to the general public, as spectators.

Friendship and cooperation is the best way forwards. There are bound to be a few sane coaches/managers/parents/skaters at the other rink who will realise this.

Another thing that can often help is to find some people from your rink that have friends that skate at the other rink. Start spreading the word that this antagonism is doing neither rink any good and that your rink would be very open to any of their members to skate.

I belong to a USFSA club, but only to take advantage of a lesson session. Everyone knows I don't test or compete, so I'm no threat to any of the other clubs or rinks. Consequently, I'm friendly with coaches and skaters from numerous clubs. I've been able to bring a few of skaters, rinks, and clubs closer together by dispelling the "bad" parts of the rivalries. I've invited rival skaters to do free-style sessions together.

One skater commeneted to me recently, "I can't believe that their (a rival) synchro team would let me watch them practice. Our synchro coach would never allow someone from another team to see what we were working on." This opened a channel that has allowed both teams to get to know each other rather than keeping their distance. Several members of both teams now enjoy skating together during free-style.

Also, the "snob" skater/coach rumors can often be dispelled with some proper introductions and friendly words.

[b:8d910e1c96]garyc254:[/b:8d910e1c96] I didn't say "a skaters ability isn't what is important, it's the certification that counts. Qualification in performance vs. qualification on paper."

What I said was that there are guidelines to participate in certain USFSA activities & skaters can choose for themselves whether or not they want to meet those requirements. But that it's important to offer the choices to all skaters, which isn't happening when rink directors don't offer the programming.

IMHO regarding your example, if a skater is so great that they can perform every MIF pattern or skating manuveur with such ease & "outskate" every other skater at the tryout, & wants to be on the team, yet isn't willing to meet the minimum specified requirements (which often does happen to be a test level & you understand the USFSA administrative fee for a test is $3 so it's not they're getting rich from it), then it says something about that skater's teamwork & level of cooperation so they may not necessarily be the best person for the team no matter how terrific their skating is. The USFSA & ISI are supposed to offer programs that 10,000 or more skaters can CHOOSE to participate in or not, but not 10,000 different programs because every skater demands special treatment or wants one for their own specific individual circumstances. That's where the sportsmanship of skating comes into play for individuals.

A quad is not a determining factor in making a good team skater. I have 5 friends that have skated on the Miami U teams (both the collegiate & elite). Doubles, triples & quads are not the important skating factors for this kind of team, & they do have to work on their MIF if they haven't completed them all by the time they join.

I'm sorry to hear you are in such a bad area that these programs can't be implemented without significant disharmony. As I indicated earlier, that is not the case for most of us. We have one rink in my area where a lot of nonsense goes on with their coaches & club. Their actions are not reflective to me of USFSA skating, but a negative reflection on that group at that particular rink & I don't let it affect my objectivity about the worth of the overall programs there or anywhere else.

[b:8d910e1c96]Aussie Willy:[/b:8d910e1c96] the skaters at that other rink would probably be pleased to hear that people will boycott their event. After all, it would mean less competition for them. The skaters who are considering the boycott should realize it would hurt them in the long run because they will miss out that year especially if it's a qualifying competition. Wouldn't it be better for them to file a written grievance instead to put their concerns on the record & then proceed with their original competition plans which might lead to a more positive outcome for them?

For all of you who have suggested that we just make friends with the other rink, this is just not possible. The management have condoned this coaches behaviour and support him. Even the management kicked people out when they arrived at the rink to skate. So there is really nothing you can do when it is a privately run facility who can set there own rules.

All us skaters are extremely disappointed that this happened. With the closure of our rink we would have thought that we would have gotten some understanding from the other rink. However they made things worse. And can I say that this whole problem happened because of ONE coach. Basically people who were affected by this will never skate at the nasty rink again because even as customers they do not deserve to be treated that way.

All the skaters who were affected by this will be writing to our state skating body to ask for their support and to have the State Championships taken away from this rink so we are doing something. We will also be encouraging people to write to the National skating body too.

The nicest thing that has come out of this is as a skating community we are much closer and more supportive of each other. One the other hand I am a great believer in karma and something will happen to this rink and the coach in particular. If not today or tomorrow then sometime in the future.

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Aussie Willy,
If you all belong to your state organisation, then can they really ban you? Joiin VISA (whatever the new name is) and then bring it up with them. I've heard of rink rivalry (but moreso state rivalry, since I sometimes skate at Penrtith and don't belong to NSWISA) but this is ridiculous. We have so few skaters here you'd think people would want to give the best chances possible, especially if you are paying good money! You guys are willing to pay to go to the figure sessions right? I don't understand the problem unless it means the figure session is too crowded?
Hope it sorts itself out. Don't know if VISA or ISA can do anything about this nasty rink since it is private.
Glad to hear you have your own happy ice back.
Anita

It is alarming how just one coach can spoil a rink; I do hope the skaters there are sensible enough not to follow his example! I have met at least three skaters from that rink, and they are extremely nice and sensible people. But it's miserable when the coaches make you feel unwelcome.

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[quote:31a3753aa6="Mazurka Girl"]What I said was that there are guidelines to participate in certain USFSA activities & skaters can choose for themselves whether or not they want to meet those requirements. But that it's important to offer the choices to all skaters, which isn't happening when rink directors don't offer the programming. [/quote:31a3753aa6]

I'll qualify the above statement by saying that we have at least nine USFSA clubs/rinks in our area, so we are not lacking for club availability. The skating director/coach from the rink that does not offer clubs is a USFSA member, tests her students USFSA at another rink, sets aside freestyle sessions in her program where all coaches and figure skaters are welcome, and enjoys not having to deal with the demands of "club" people. She's a firm advocate for figure skating and literally has to fight city hall to keep hockey clubs (read: more money for the city) from taking all of the ice time.


[quote:31a3753aa6="Mazurka Girl"]which often does happen to be a test level & you understand the USFSA administrative fee for a test is $3 so it's not they're getting rich from it)[/quote:31a3753aa6]

Although the USFSA may not be getting rich with their $3, the actual price of testing, particularly if you have to hire a partner for dance, is much higher than that ($30 - $150 per test). I've talked with adults that were more worried about failing a test because the money would be wasted than because of the fear of not performing well.


[quote:31a3753aa6="Mazurka Girl"]A quad is not a determining factor in making a good team skater. [/quote:31a3753aa6]

Sorry, my fingers didn't convey my thoughts well. When I spoke of the quad, I was speaking as an individual skater, not a synchro team person. The teams I was referring to were the national/international figure skating teams.


[quote:31a3753aa6="Mazurka Girl"]I'm sorry to hear you are in such a bad area that these programs can't be implemented without significant disharmony. As I indicated earlier, that is not the case for most of us. We have one rink in my area where a lot of nonsense goes on with their coaches & club. Their actions are not reflective to me of USFSA skating [/quote:31a3753aa6]

I agree it doesn't reflect the type of program the USFSA promotes, however it is a problem in many rinks throughout the country. Anytime you have "people" involved, you have a high potentiality for problems and conflicts. Of the four "club" rinks I skate at, all are constantly dealing with club conflicts of one sort or another.


AUSSIE WILLY, it sounds like working through your main organization might be your only choice. I agree that boycotting the Championships (particularly if you've already paid) might be doing the other rink a favor. That's going to be a judgement call on your part. If it will help the main organization take notice, then the boycott could be good.

Anital - thanks for your support and of course it is ridiculous. ISV basically have wiped their hands of the issue, saying they are just a technical committee. However now all the skaters are writing letters about the way this rink and coach have behaved. I have also sent my letter to ISA and encouraging others to do the same to make them aware of the issue. Their next meeting will be in August and we can't wait to see what their reaction will be when most of the skating community have written to them. It will be extremely funny. I will try and forward on a copy of the letters to you privately.

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[quote:c686ab1b5e="garyc254"]Sorry, my fingers didn't convey my thoughts well. When I spoke of the quad, I was speaking as an individual skater, not a synchro team person. The teams I was referring to were the national/international figure skating teams.[/quote:c686ab1b5e]
They would have to test up too, even if they all have quads & are the best skaters since sliced bread. That's how the game is played.

It's a fallacy that clubs or the federation are breaking the bank with the test sessions & that's why they want them. Most clubs only break even & many times the sessions must even be subsidized by other club funds. Implying that they do it to fill the coffers is inaccurate. Saying members worry about the high costs of tests is a valid concern & true, but so do the majority of clubs & that's not what was implied on the previous page.

[quote:2cbaae9a76="Aussie Willy"]However now all the skaters are writing letters about the way this rink and coach have behaved. I have also sent my letter to ISA and encouraging others to do the same to make them aware of the issue.[/quote:2cbaae9a76]
Good luck with your complaint!

BTW - if anyone is interested in copies of the letters written by one of the mothers which explains how this rink and coach behaved, PM with your email address and I can send you the documents. They are in Word format but I can put them in any other format you like.

I have no hesitation in saying that I want this rink's name to be mud in the Australian skating community.

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[quote:be3c4c5936="Aussie Willy"]I have no hesitation in saying that I want this rink's name to be mud in the Australian skating community.[/quote:be3c4c5936]

What would be better, though, is if you could instigate a solution to the problem so that ALL skaters in your area have access to BOTH rinks when necessary, within reason.

Good luck!

I understand what you are saying Lee and thanks for your support.

However we know what the solution is and the nasty rink could have avoided all the unpleasantness by just being nice and welcoming to all skaters, no matter which rink they skated at. It is not such a difficult thing to do and then we would not feel the need to write letters to our representative body complaining about they way the behaved. In the process of being nice they might have earnt some good PR along the way.

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[quote:f0d306dde7="Artistic Skaters"] They would have to test up too, even if they all have quads & are the best skaters since sliced bread. That's how the game is played.[/quote:f0d306dde7]

Not a game I prefer to play. Expensive with the possibility of human (judges) errors.

I'm thinking of a local 14 year old boy that quit testing because his family couldn't afford the cost.

[quote:f0d306dde7="Artistic Skaters"]It's a fallacy that clubs or the federation are breaking the bank with the test sessions & that's why they want them. Most clubs only break even & many times the sessions must even be subsidized by other club funds. Implying that they do it to fill the coffers is inaccurate. Saying members worry about the high costs of tests is a valid concern & true, but so do the majority of clubs & that's not what was implied on the previous page.[/quote:f0d306dde7]

If I conveyed that the clubs, etc were getting rich from running tests, I'm sorry. I know it's far from the truth. I'm just saying that it is horribly expensive. Too expensive for some, particularly with the judging irregularities that occur.

That's a whole other thread that I won't get into, but suffice it to say that there are far too many judging irregularities.