September 4, 2014, Charlottetown – With the Canada Winter Games only five months away, the coming season holds special significance for a number of P.E.I. speed skaters. Up to ten P.E.I. skaters could be taking to the ice for Team PEI in Prince George, B.C. in February. The group has been training and preparing for months leading up to the 2015 edition of the Canada Winter Games.
“The time and dedication it takes to compete at this level is significant,” says Sarah Taylor, who will coach P.E.I.’s short track contingent in Prince George. “These kids are learning about commitment, discipline and time management – all of which will serve them well throughout their lives, not only in sport.”
Speed Skate PEI officials say that the Canada Games are a big focus for their senior athletes, but the club is about much more than competitive opportunities like the Canada Games or the various meets throughout the region. “The keys for all of our skaters are fun and personal development,” said Rob Binns, club President. “Learning to skate and learning speed skating is about improving individual skills, building confidence and improving the performance of each skater, not just race outcomes.”
It is a message that seems to be resonating on the Island. The club says it has had record new skater enrolments every year since the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and it expects the growth trend to continue this year.
Along with its growing club in Charlottetown, the speed skating body says that a new club in eastern P.E.I. is a real possibility for the coming season. A group of parents looking to start a speed skating club based out of the Eastern Kings Sportsplex in Souris has the backing of the provincial association. “We’ve had a core group of parents from Souris and surrounding areas interested for some time,” said Binns. “Now, it looks like the pieces are coming together and it’s just a matter of enough skater interest. We’re very excited for the group there and the potential.” Interested families should contact Jean MacDonald at 902-687-1550 for more information, or visit the Eastern Kings Sport Fair this Saturday, from 10 am to 1:00 pm at the Eastern Kings Sportsplex.
New skaters interested in the Charlottetown programs can learn more and register online at www.speedskatepei.com, or in person at the Eastlink Centre on Saturday mornings, September 6 and September 20 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.. The season gets underway in Charlottetown in late September.
– 30 –
Photo caption: P.E.I.’s Michael Rogers (foreground) leads a group of New Brunswick skaters around a corner at a Maritime meet. Rogers is one of up to ten Island skaters working toward a berth on P.E.I.’s speed skating teams for the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Photo courtesy of Kevin Scott.
For more Information contact:
Dawn Binns
Volunteer Communications Coordinator, Speed Skate PEI
dawn@insightmarketingpei.com
902-393-2050
