STARSkate Parent Handbook

Last Updated: October 20, 2021

Cochrane Skating Club (CSC) STARSkate Programs & Information

Advanced Canskate

Advanced CanSkate program is designed to transition skaters from CanSkate into the Junior StarSkate program. All CanSkaters who have achieved Stage 3 and are interested in figure skating, are eligible. Skaters will be invited by the coaching team to register in Advanced CanSkate.

Advanced CanSkate shares ice time with our Junior STARSkate program and skaters are encouraged to skate both Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as participate in off-ice training (Tuesdays 5:15-5:45 pm) with the Junior skaters. 

Skaters will continue to focus on CanSkate stages 4 through 6, along with being introduced to figure skating specific skills including; edges and turns, jumps, spins and performance. As this is a continuation of the CanSkate program, skaters are required to wear helmets.

Once your skater has completed the necessary requirements, you will be notified of their move into the Junior STARSkate program.

Junior STARSkate

The Junior STARSkate program is a group instructed program. Focus will be to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of; free skating, pattern dance, dance elements and skating skills. Coaches will introduce and develop the skills and requirements for STAR 1 tests. Skaters will be assessed by the coaching team throughout the season as the tests are ready. 

Skaters may also have the opportunity to enter competitions throughout the season at the STAR 1 level. Coaches will provide information regarding these opportunities if applicable to your skater. Junior members should skate a minimum of two days per week (including Tuesday off-ice) and are encouraged to skate a third. 

Junior members will advance to the Intermediate program upon successful completion of all STAR 1 tests or by unanimous coach invitation.

Intermediate STARSkate

Intermediate STARSkaters will continue developing and testing STAR 2 and 3 tests. Coaches will continue to focus on teaching strong fundamentals in all disciplines. Depending on the sessions chosen, skaters at this level will receive a combination of group lessons (included in your registration fee), or open sessions where private, semi-private (2 skaters) and small group (3+ skaters) lessons are given. Lessons given on open sessions will be charged by coaches and invoiced to you monthly. Lesson fees for each coach vary, so please contact the coaches directly for an outline of fees. Skaters will be eligible and encouraged to enter applicable competitions throughout the season. A program with music and required elements will be given once the skater is ready. Intermediate skaters will compete at the STAR 2 or STAR 3 level in competition.

Off-Ice programming is mandatory at this level and we recommend Intermediate skaters train a minimum of three days per week. Tuesday and Wednesday are the core Intermediate days and skaters should choose at least one other day from available Ice sessions.

To advance to Senior STARSkate, skaters must have passed all STAR 2 and STAR 3 tests, be landing an axel, or be invited by the coaching team.

Senior STARSkate

The Senior STARSkate program provides the most flexibility and ice time availability. Skaters should train a minimum of three on-ice sessions per week, and will be working from STAR 4 through the Gold test and competition levels in all disciplines. There are seven on ice training sessions per week available to seniors. Skaters entering competitive skating will also train on these sessions.

Skaters are team coached in a private or semi-private lesson format and will choose a primary coach for their season. All off-ice programming and a minimum of one stroking/edge class per week is mandatory at this level.  All coaching fees are billed directly by the coaches at the end of the month.

Off-Ice Training

Off-ice is a key component of skater development. Commitment and attendance will benefit long-term athlete growth and performance.

There are two off-ice programs offered at CSC. A coach-led off-ice program is run on Tuesdays for all STARSkate levels. These sessions are figure skating focused and will primarily train conditioning, agility, plyometrics, and off-ice jump and flexibility.

In addition, we offer a Wednesday off-ice program for junior, intermediate and senior where contracted instructors teach Pilates, Cross-Fit Kids and yoga and dance. These additional programs are very beneficial for figure skaters and promote well rounded athlete development.

Team Coaching 

CSC believes in a team coaching philosophy. All coaches will work with skaters in group lessons, semi-private (2 skaters) or private lessons until required to choose a primary coach at the senior starskate level. At that time, your primary coach will be your skater’s manager and will schedule lessons with other coaches as they see fit. Coaches will invoice parents directly at the end of each month. Lesson fees for each coach vary, so please contact the coaches directly for an outline of fees.

Team coaching allows skaters to get to know all coaches and ensures a positive and collaborative working environment. It also ensures each skater receives the best from each coach. Your Cochrane Skating Club Coaching Team:

Karen Allison - Director of STARSkate Programs coachkaren@cochraneskatingclub.ca
Lynanne Bjerke - CanSkate Coordinator coachlynanne@cochraneskatingclub.ca
Beth Allison - Club Coach coachbeth@cochraneskatingclub.ca
Sheryl Ozirny - Club Coach coachsheryl@cochraneskatingclub.ca

STARSkate Competitions

Each season, the Alberta Skating Section schedules competitions for STARSkaters from STAR 1-Gold. There will be at least one competition in your skating region each season. This season our Calgary Region STARSkate Invitational competition is scheduled for November 19-21 and will be hosted by the Calalta Skating Club. More information will be communicated once the announcement is posted. Other competition opportunities may be available and will be communicated.

Once the registration deadline has passed, the host club will post the competition schedule about two weeks prior to the event. When registering, it is important that you are available all three days of the competition as you will not know what day you skate until the schedule is posted.

Parents should expect to pay a registration fee (paid to the host club), and an invoiced coaching fee from your attending coach. If you have questions about fees, please ask as coaching fees may range depending on the location and number of attending skaters. 

Competition Attire

Female skaters will need a skating dress, tights, a warm-up sweater (team wear or solid black preferred), and mini-gloves (no hoodies or jackets please). Skate guards are a must for competition and please bring running shoes for their off-ice warm-up. Hair should be tied back neatly off the face. Buns, braids and tidy pony tails are all acceptable. 

For male skaters, you will also need a warm-up jacket/sweater along with some black mini gloves and your solo program attire. At a minimum you will have black or dark colored pants and a long sleeved shirt.

STAR 1 Competition - Junior STARSkate Level

This is a required element event. Elements are individually executed with your flight of skaters, typically using half of the ice surface. Skaters are assessed to a standard by a panel of officials. For each element, officials award a bronze, silver or gold rating. At the conclusion of the event, skaters will receive a report card and ribbon. This event is not ranked. 

STAR 2 Competition - Intermediate STARSkate Level

This event consists of a two minute free-skate solo with music (given by the coaching team), including required elements. Skaters perform their program individually on full ice assessed by a panel of officials. For each element, officials award a bronze, silver or gold rating. STAR 2 will also include two program components: Skating Skills and Performance. At the conclusion of the event, skaters will receive a report card and ribbon. This event is not ranked.  

STAR 3 Competition - Intermediate STARSkate Level

This event consists of a two minute free-skate solo with music (given by the coaching team), including required elements. Skaters perform their program individually on full ice assessed by a panel of officials. For each element, officials award a bronze, silver or gold rating. STAR 2 will  include three program components: Skating Skills, Performance and Interpretation. At the conclusion of the event, skaters will receive a report card and ribbon. This event is not ranked. 

STAR 4 Level - Intermediate/Senior

This event consists of a two minute free-skate solo with music (given by the coaching team), including required elements. Skaters perform their program individually on full ice assessed by a panel of officials. For each element, officials award a bronze, silver or gold rating. STAR 2 will also include three program components: Skating Skills, Performance and Interpretation. Within the criteria, evaluators will rate these components as bronze, silver or gold. STAR 4 is the first STAR event where skaters are ranked and medals will be given to the top three skaters.

STAR 5- Gold/Competitive - Senior

Skaters competing at the STAR 5 level or higher will have a skating program (free program, short program or both) depending on the skater’s level. Skaters will submit a planned program sheet prior to competition (assisted by the coach), and will be ranked and scored based on an element and program component scoring system. Chat with your coach for more detailed information.

Program Music

For STAR 2 & STAR 3 programs, coaches will select the skater’s music. At the STAR 2 and STAR 3 levels, coaches will provide a selection of recycled music for skaters to choose from. It is ok if skaters choose the same piece (STAR 2 only). Coaches will invoice the cost of 2 CD’s ($10.00 per skater) and will be given to each skater prior to competition and are yours to keep. 

Equipment & Maintenance 

Proper equipment and maintenance is crucial to your skater’s success in the sport. All skaters in Junior STARSkate and higher are encouraged to purchase good condition figure skates.

CSC has a selection of consigned skates that can be purchased – please speak to your coach about checking these out prior to purchasing new skates. Should you not be able to find an appropriate used skate at CSC, we recommend Professional Skate Service in Calgary - their  staff specialize in new and used equipment. 

Professional Skate is the ONLY place in the Calgary area where skaters should be sharpening skates. Spray Lakes and other local sharpeners do not have the correct equipment and expertise to sharpen figure skates. 

To protect the skate blades, hard skate guards should be worn in areas that are not protected by rubber mats. At the end of every skating session, the blades should be wiped with a dry cloth to prevent rusting. Please ensure that skates are sharpened regularly depending on the number of training hours per week and blade care. If you don’t know if the blade is sharp or not, please speak to a coach.  

Professional Skate Service
3515 18th St SW Calgary, AB
(403) 243-3663

Drop-In Sessions

Skaters may wish to drop-into an additional skating session from time to time. Please let a member of the coaching team know in advance if you wish to drop-in or purchase an additional training session. Coaches will take attendance and you will be billed according to the Advanced CanSkate and STARSkate Fees, Refunds and Commitments Policy. Our current drop in fees for CSC members is $20 per session during the regular season and $30 in the spring season. Please also note that coaching fees will also be applicable and will be invoiced directly to you.

The outlined sessions below would also be applicable should you wish to purchase an additional training session each week for the season. 

Available drop-in sessions for:

Junior STARSkate

Monday 4:45-5:45 pm
Wednesday 5-5:45 pm
Saturday 10:00-11:00 am

Intermediate STARSkate

Monday 7:00-8:00 am
Monday 4:45-5:45 pm
Wednesday 5-5:45 pm

Coach Assessed Tests STAR 1-5

All of our coaching team are eligible to assess skater tests from STAR 1-5 in each discipline. This covers tests into the Senior STARSkate program. We believe in a “test when ready” philosophy and usually give a day or two notice to the skater. Tests will be taken on regular practice sessions and no preparation is required.  

Skaters will have a few minutes to warm up and chat with the coach and then the test will be executed. Although coaches are assessing tests, sometimes skaters still become nervous and are unable to complete the test successfully. Should the skater not meet the requirements of the test at that moment, we would still be required to mark the test as a re-try. Although this does not happen often, this experience prepares the skater for the future when tests are taken at an official test day in front of an evaluator.  

Coaches will complete the test paper and comments, submit the test stub to our assessment coordinator for mailing to Skate Canada’s National office for record keeping. Once the test is complete and submitted $12 will be billed to your open invoice in your Uplifter account. 

Team Wear

Our club organizes team wear (club jackets and other items) at the beginning of each season. Please watch your emails for information! If you missed it, check our club consignment. Team wear promotes team spirit and a professional and consistent appearance at competitions and test days.

Giving Back to CSC -- Volunteering 2021-2022

To support Cochrane Skating Club in running successful programs, we need parent volunteers!

Volunteer Commitments:

Advanced CanSkate 8 hours
Junior STARSkate 10 hours
Intermediate STARSkate  15 hours
Senior STARSkate  20 hours

1 hour  = $25 paid to the Club at the end of the season, if hours are not fulfilled.

Please refer to the Advanced CanSkate and STARSkate Fees, Refunds and Commitments Policy for details regarding volunteer commitments and how unfilled volunteer hours will be invoiced by the club.

Some volunteer opportunities for this season include: 

• Membership Chair (board position, volunteer commitment waived)
• Test Chair Assistant 
• Bulletin Board (update 6 times per year)
• Photographer
• Financial Audit (approx 2 to 3 hours in January - 2 people needed)
• Clean Up Tasks (music room etc.)
• Advanced CanSkate / Junior STARSkate Liaison - 1 to 2 people 
• PR Assistant(s):
• School handouts - 3 times per season
• CanSkate Greeter - 3 times per season
• Fundraising Assistants
• Policy Development 
• Home Test Day Assistants - Date TBD
• Spring Carnival - all aspects

If you are interested in any of the above opportunities or have questions about volunteer commitments, please contact Mike Iwanyshyn, Vice President at: vicepresident@cochraneskatingclub.ca

STARSkaters make the BEST Program Assistants for CanSkate

To meet the needs of our CanSkate program is it mandatory for skaters aged 10 plus to become a Program Assistant. Our CanSkateprogram runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This is a great opportunity for your skater to gain valuable and fun work experience and support our learn to skate program. Our CanSkate Coordinator runs a MANDATORY PA clinic every September. 

Trained program assistants are also paid for their time as a credit in your Uplifter accounts as follows:

1st Year - $5.00 per hour
2nd Year - $7.50 per hour
3rd & Subsequent - $10.00 per hour


Check out the Program Assistant Policy here.

CSC Board of Directors 2021-2022

Important Documents for Review

Parent Code of Conduct
Skater Code of Conduct (Dress Code included)
Advanced CanSkate and STARSkate Fees, Refunds and Commitments Policy