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Quesnel Figure Skating Club receives grant to provide equipment to less fortunate

United Way grant helps club purchase 23 pairs of skates and helmets to loan out to those in need
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Quesnel Figure Skating Club members pose in front of the Rink 2 mural. Submitted photo

The Quesnel Figure Skating Club (QFSC) has secured a grant to purchase helmets and skates, which they will loan to families who otherwise could not afford to take part in the sport.

“Last winter, I applied for a grant through the United Way of Northern BC Early Years initiative,” says the club’s head coach, Carly Dinicol.

“The purpose of the project is to allocate initiative funds to engage hard-to-reach families and improve communication to the public.

“The Quesnel Figure Skating Club is hoping to network beyond our current service scope and promote Skate Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Program and ‘Sport for Life.’”

Dinicol says the grant will service their learn-to-skate programs by supplying top quality skates and helmets to skaters who may otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in the sport due to financial barriers.

“As a club, we have purchased 23 pairs of skates and helmets that are available for loan to skaters participating in our programs,” she says.

“Families who qualify for KIDSPORT may also access funds to cover the registration costs for our programs.”

The goal for the project is to improve early childhood development opportunities through safe, affordable and accessible recreation.

The QFSC programs promote skill development, confidence building, teamwork, and physical literacy.

“Having top-quality skates will allow for young athletes to put their best foot forward and participate in a sport that is essentially part of the fabric of growing up in Canada,” says Dinicol.

The club’s free Try It Out session will take place on Sept. 26 from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rink 2, where skaters can try out the Learn to Skate program.

“At this session, skaters can be assessed by a Professional Skate Canada coach to determine which of our programs best suits their needs” Dinicol says.

“Our Learn to Skate program is a nationally acclaimed program called CANSkate. It is a dynamic learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. CANSkate is for beginners of all ages who wish to improve their basic skating skills; whether their focus be for figure skating, hockey, speed skating or just fun.”

The program begins Oct. 1 and runs until March 12. Participants have the option to skate one or two days a week and do a full season or a half season.

Questions can be directed to quesnelfsc@hotmail.com. This year the club will offer online registration at quesnelfigureskatingclub.com.