Hello CSSA,
The IceReg registration portal is live as of July 1st, and we are ready to accept your registration for the 2023/2024 Fall and Winter Season. Please take the time to read the following information carefully so you understand what to expect for this season and how to have a smooth registration process.
WHAT’S NEW
Safe Sport:
CSSA continues to move towards providing a safer training environment for every skater and adopting best practices. Every adult in the family will be required to take the two Safe Sport training courses prior to the start of the season in September. It is free online training and each course takes about 1.5 hours. The courses will be valid for four (4) years. More information can be found at:
1) Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) Safe Sport Training; and
2) CAC Rule of Two
3) National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Making Headway in Speed Skating (concussions) – Optional
Changes to Adult Short Track Program:
The Thursday late evening Adult Short Track ice time has been cancelled due to lack of attendance. Monday evenings have been maintained and adult skaters have the option of doing 1-2 additional practices with the A or B group. Also, there is an option of doing a mixed ST & LT program, i.e., 2 days of LT with 1 day of ST or vice versa.
Registration Window from July 1 – August 15:
With the large increase in requests to join the club, we are asking all skaters to register by August 15. Groups will be reviewed and may need to be re-balanced after that date.
Saturday Short Track (ST) Optional Competitive Program:
A new short track competitive program will be offered on 10 Saturdays when there are no competitions. Minimum requirements are: 10 years of age and over, being comfortable with relays, having 2 years of speed skating experience and time standards of 54 seconds in 400m (100m track) or 58 seconds in 500m (111m track). Skaters targeted would be preparing for Youth Championships (11-13 years), Western Elites (14 yrs+) and Neo-Juniors (14-15 years). More details to come at a later date.
No Fee Increases from CSSA, Fee Increases from SSA & SSC:
CSSA will not be increasing its fees this year, even though ice fees and other costs have increased. Speed Skating Alberta (SSA) and Speed Skating Canada (SSC) have increased prices in most categories. See attached document for a summary of program costs.
Skate Rentals and Parking Passes:
Will be available in IceReg in August. Skate rentals are INCLUDED in program costs for all Youth Groups (C, D, E & F). Skate rentals are only required for those in Groups A and B that wish to rent short track skates.
Skaters new to CSSA:
New Youth Skaters to CSSA wishing to skate 3x weekly should register in Youth Group F if they are under 10 years old. If they are 10 and over, they should register in Youth Group E. New skaters can also choose to skate 1x weekly (register for Learn to Speed Skate or L2SS) or 2x weekly (register for Intro to Speed Skate or I2SS). Skaters in L2SS and I2SS will be grouped with Youth E & F groups and can choose any of the ice times for those groups (we are flexible). During the first two weeks, skaters will be evaluated and may be moved based on age and ability. New Adult skaters without any speed skating background are encouraged to try long track first.
WHAT REMAINS THE SAME AS LAST YEAR?
The Ice Schedule remains essentially the same as last year – see attached.
Installment Payments:
All Oval year-long programs will have CSSA fees payable 50% upon registration and 50% October 31, 2023.
Three Payments will appear on your credit card: one from CSSA, one from SSA and one from SSC.
Volunteers, Coaches & Officials:
In addition to registering your skater(s) for club programs, two parents/guardians must also be registered as volunteers (or coaches or officials) by selecting “Add a Participant” for all skaters under 18 years. A common mistake last year was registering the skater as a volunteer instead of the parent or guardian. This is required for insurance purposes as parents volunteer at competitions, casinos, on-ice, placing and removing mats, etc. If a parent/guardian is an accredited coach or official, the parent/guardian will register as such and not as a volunteer. An official or coach will be a little more than a volunteer membership. If you are a single parent/guardian family, then just register one volunteer (or coach or official). Individuals who no longer have skaters in the club may also register as volunteers, officials, and coaches in IceReg. Adult skaters (18+) do not need to register any volunteers.
Membership Categories
Club Membership:
Included in the fees of CSSA programs is a Club Membership from SSC & SSA for membership and insurance purposes. It is mandatory and will automatically be added to your Cart in IceReg. The Club Membership is for skaters participating in recreational, introductory and club programming and/or participating in regional and club level competitions.
Provincial Athlete Membership:
This membership is required to participate in Canadian Youth Championships. Athletes who qualify for those events will have this membership added on later in the season by Speed Skate Alberta and will be required to pay the supplement at that time.
National Athlete Membership:
This membership is required for skaters participating in Senior, Junior or Neo-Junior Canadian Championships, Canada Cups, Oval Classics, etc. Athletes training with Oval Elite Speed Skating programs must purchase a National Athlete Membership.
Waivers and Code of Conduct are also included from Speed Skating Alberta and Speed Skating Canada.
SETON YMCA LOCATION
The Seton YMCA will continue to host short track training and mini-meets on Tuesdays between 5:00 – 6:15 PM. The season will be as follows:
– Fall Session: Tuesday Sept. 11, 2023, to Tuesday Dec. 19, 2023, with a mini-meet to be held on Thursday December 7, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM.
– There is a two week break at Christmas, so no classes on December 26 & January 2.
– Winter Session: Tuesday January 9, 2024, to Tuesday March 12, 2024, with a mini-meet to be held on Thursday March 7, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM.
– The Full Season session would include both the Fall & Winter sessions.
New this year: There is the option of adding a 2nd or 3rd session at the Oval on another day of the week.
****REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR 2023-24 SEASON****
Registration is now live on IceReg. Please use this link to register:
https://icereg.ca/#!/events/calgary-speed-skating-association-20232024
Step 1:
Registration will be open July 1st – August 15. Click on the Link above and register your skater (s) in IceReg in the desired program based on the program recommendation you received from the CSSA just recently. If you are new to CSSA, please register in Youth Groups E or F (3x weekly), Intro to Speed Skate (2x weekly) or Learn to Speed Skate (1x weekly).
Step 2:
Register two parents/guardians as volunteers (or coaches or officials) by selecting “Add a Participant” for all skaters under 18 years.
Step 3:
Review your registration receipt to ensure your skater (s) is registered in the correct program and that parents are also registered as volunteers, officials, or coaches. Please contact us if you have any issues.
Step 4:
If you have not already done so through another sport, each adult in the family must complete two online safe sport training prior to the season start in September on the following website: https://safesport.coach.ca
4) Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) Safe Sport Training; and
5) CAC Rule of Two
6) National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Making Headway in Speed Skating (concussions) – Optional
Instructions on how to create an account are attached.
Step 5: For new skaters only. Create an Oval account so an Oval access card may be created. See attached instructions.
Step 6: For Group A & B Athletes needing to rent short track skates: Purchase skate rental of $180 at:
https://icereg.ca/#!/events/parking-passes-skate-rental-other-2023-24