Junior Academy
What is Junior Academy? Junior Academy is a learn-to-figure skate program. The curriculum for this program has been developed by our own coaches for skaters to build a solid foundation for long term success in the sport of figure skating. Skaters will work on basic skating skills, turns and transitions, performance/presentation, jumps, spins, field movements and much more! Typically a skater will come on the ice and warm-up for several minutes, performing basic skating skills, after that they will begin their instruction time with the coach(es) followed by a creative skating or free time. Note: at the end of every session, skaters are asked to bow / curtsy to their audience. We invite you to cheer and applaud their hard work.
Communication:
- EMAIL is our main form of communication. Please keep an eye on your email for important information from the PGFSC or the coaches.
- Website: www.pgfsc.ca
- Facebook – search Prince George Figure Skating Club and like us
- Instagram – @pgskating Find us and like us!
- Bulletin Board & Handouts – we will send letters and notices home from time to time and then they will get posted on the bulletin board(s). Currently our bulletin board is set up just inside Kin 2 near the PGFSC office.
Off Ice training is a vital part of the Junior Academy curriculum. Skaters will train flexibility, learn and strengthen positions that they will use on the ice, perform exercises that will further develop their motor/movement skills and patterns. The off ice portion of the program is not meant to be optional so please be sure your skater attends.
Clothing & Equipment
- Skaters should be dressed in tight fitting, athletic clothing or skating dresses.
- Bulky, baggy clothing, hooded jackets or sweatshirts, jeans, etc are not acceptable skating attire.
- Coaches need to be able to see the skater’s body as they move to make corrections.
- Hair and bangs should be tied back off of the face.
- Skates should have strong ankle support, good toe picks and should be purchased through a proper skate shop like Koops Bike & Skate Shop or North Edge Ice Sports – both of which are located in Prince George. Please do not tie laces around the ankle.
Viewing the session: We invite parents to view the sessions from the bleachers. The arena staff has asked that parents refrain from viewing from the player’s benches/box. At this time parents/caregivers are not welcome to view off ice training sessions – the space does not allow for it and it can be very distracting for the instructor and skaters.
Behaviour: It is expected for all skaters to listen and follow instructions, participate in all activities and to adhere to all coaches and program assistants on the ice. If a skater is not doing this, they may be asked to leave the ice for the rest of the session.
Off Season Skating: PGFSC offers skating programs for the Star program in “Fall” September, “Winter” Oct-Mar, “Spring” April-May and “Summer” July/Aug. Each of these seasons has a different schedule – days, times and arenas are different – subject to the city ice allocation. PGFSC encourages participation in all seasons for the best possible development of your child’s skating and overall progress.
Competitions & Jamboree Events: Your skater is eligible to compete in figure skating competitions and jamboree events. If you do attend, you will be privately billed fees for our coaches to "coach" your skater at the event, and in the case of out of town events, a portion of coaches expense fees. For more information on this, please ask!
Coaches: Our programs are taught by a team of coaches. For more information about our coaching team please check out the "About Us" tab.
Private Lessons: We may offer sessions from time to time that will only have instruction via privately billed lessons. You will receive an invoice from a coach or coaches for any private lessons given to your skater on those sessions. Those invoices are payable to the coach directly. At the next level, Star 1/2, private lessons become a regular part of the curriculum. For more information on this, please ask!
