Figure out how to skate it at competition time

Aug 13 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

IT’S an exciting time for members of the North Lanarkshire Figure Skating Club.

For, this Saturday, some of their top talents will aim to dazzle on the ice at the Ayr Open.

The competition will be the first entered by the fledgling NLFSC since they formed in May.

And chairman, John MacInnes, told the Advertiser he is “hopeful” members won’t be coming home empty-handed.

“We are looking forward to this event,” he said. “The juniors are all very excited about it.

“We are hopeful of getting some sort of success and winning medals. Some of our skaters have done well in competitions in the past.

“We are then sending a team to the Dundee Open on the weekend of September 27/28.

“And between October 21-26, we will be competing in Dumfries at the Scottish Junior Open championships.”

Three months ago, an open meeting was held to see if there was a demand for a skating club in the area. The committee have never looked back after a huge turnout backed the idea.

NLFSC, run from the Time Capsule in Coatbridge, now has 105 members – including some adults – with a small group of 12-15 regularly taking part in competitions.

“There were skaters using the Time Capsule where four resident coaches are based,” added John. “But it was a wee bit fragmented and a number of parents wondered if a club could be set up so everyone could skate under the one banner.

“To take part in competitions, you need to be a member of a club and since we held the open meeting, the progression has been rapid.

“There has been a great response from kids in the Monklands as well as from other places such as Falkirk, West Lothian, Glasgow and the general North Lanarkshire area.

“The uptake has been beyond our wildest dreams and we have a number of things in the pipeline.”

The first ‘Club Ice’ evening was held last week and John revealed the committee are already considering hiring the venue two nights a week.

“We have purchased the ice for Wednesday nights between 5pm and 9pm – so that means members of the club are the only ones who can skate on it,” said the 44 year old.

“But we are looking at maybe having another night of ‘Club Ice’ because it is proving extremely popular.”

The club takes on anyone from beginners to those at competition standard. The age range is from as young as three up to 18.

Four coaches – Gemma Stark, Fiona McKenzie, Fiona McGiss and Andrew Smith – will work with the skaters to help enhance their ability.

“Someone new to the sport would be introduced to the ‘learn to skate’ programme which is accredited by the National Ice Skating Association, the sport’s governing body,” adds John.

“It has levels from one to 10. This allows kids to have a go to see if they like it.

“Then the skaters would be encouraged to try and reach bronze, silver and gold standard.

“We have got skaters at competition level who practice once a week yet have only been skating for a year.

“But we also have some very dedicated members who work hard every day off the ice by doing exercise routines and gymnastics to help their on-ice performance.”

The club welcome male skaters as well as girls with the sport relatively inexpensive to try out.

“You can basically try the sport for a couple of pounds by hiring a set of skates and skating in your tracksuit bottoms and a fleece.

“Starter boots can be bought for as little as £30 but we always encourage people in the beginning to hire a set of skates from the rink.”

A fundraising evening is being held at Glenmavis Social Club on Saturday, August 23, to help fund brand new NLFSC tracksuits and fleeces with all members invited to attend.

And for anyone wanting to know the difference between an axel and a spiral, log onto www.nlfsc.com for further information.