It is well-known that sport events can create a positive impact on participants, spectators, and the communities they are hosted in. From September 12-15th, 2018 Richmond BC experienced the benefits of hosting the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Championships. For an event of this calibre, the exceptional skating takes centre stage. The opportunity for young skaters to compete on a world-stage is invaluable. However, Richmond Sport Hosting has identified a few other impacts that this event brought to our community.
The Skating Community Comes Together
Sometimes nothing galvanizes a team like a challenging project and a tight deadline. The Connaught Skating Club, local volunteers, and facility staff came together to produce an exceptional event in just 90-days. The pace of execution for this event was remarkable. It revealed the character of Richmond’s skating community – passionate, hard-working, and dedicated. Not to be forgotten is the Skate Canada and International Skating Union staff who had amazing people onsite and who were fully invested in lending a helping hand where needed.
Inspiring Young Skaters
Research tells us that 68% of spectators at a sporting event feel inspired to participate. However, there was something special of have the JR Grand Prix event in Richmond. For the first time, Richmond skaters saw world-class athletes skate on their ice. What’s better? Many of the top skaters were 14, 15, and 16 years old. Close in age to the next generation of skaters watching, which made the inspiration that much stronger.
“The athletes competing were relatable”, said Keegan Murphy, Head Coach of Connaught Skating Club, “Not only because they were in Richmond, but also because these individuals were teenagers just like them. That made it easier to see how they could do that too.”
NextGen Program
As part of the event, Skate Canada’s NextGen Program came to Richmond. Skate Canada’s NextGen team is an identified group of young novice athletes who are achieving international skill targets and are between the ages of 12 – 14 years old. Each year these athletes are invited to an annual training camp to be mentored by many of Skate Canada’s world-famous judges and specialists. This additional component helps ensure sustainable performances from the next generation of athletes.
“All participating coaches and athletes were inspired and proud to be skating under the Olympic Rings at the Richmond Oval. For this young generation – the Olympic dream burns bright within each day of training! There is no greater gift than having such a visual inspiration during this critical developmental stage”, Keegan Murphy, Head Coach of Connaught Skating Club.
For complete ISU Jr Grand Prix of Figure Skating Championships event results click here.
