Figure Skating in Northern Ontario
National Teams
How do athletes get selected to compete at different competitions and how do you become a member of the national team? These are questions that are often asked. Read on to find out how to qualify for the different levels of competitions and teams.
The National Team
To be named to the National Team a skater must finish in the top five at the "Canadians: in Senior Singles, Pair and Dance disciplines. If a skater in the top five retires the space is left open. These skaters may be considered to represent Canada at one or more international competitions.
Junior National Team
The Junior National Team is made up of athletes that placed in the top five in Singles, Pair and Dance at the BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships.
Some of these skaters will take part in international competitions throughout the season, most notably the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series and the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Development Team
Created in 2003 this team is comprised of athletes who finish in the top three in Novice and top three in Pre-Novice in each discipline at the BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals and who are age eligible for Junior international events for two more years.
BMO Financial Group Sectional Skating Championships
These are the qualifying competitions for BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Eastern and Western Challenge competitions that are held annually in each of the 13 Sections (Ontario is divided into four Sections). Skaters from the Juvenile to Senior levels may compete. Single skaters must be members of the Section in which they compete but Pair, Fours and Ice Dance teams may represent the Section of one of the team members.
Novice and Junior
The top four placements (top eight in Quebec) in Pre-Novice, Novice and Junior advance to one of the two BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Challenge competitions.
Senior
The top four placements (top eight in Quebec) in Senior advance to the BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships.
BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Challenge Competitions
These competitions qualify athletes for the BM Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals and BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships. These competitions are held annually in each of the two Skate Canada Divisions: Eastern and Western.
Novice
The top third or top eight (whichever is greater) and any athlete granted a bye in Pre-Novice and Novice advance to the BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals. Should there be eight or fewer entries at either of the BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Eastern or Western Challenge, skaters/teams in these competitions advance automatically to the BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals..
Junior
The top half or top 10 (whichever is greater) and any athletes granted a bye advance to the BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships. Should there be 10 or fewer entries at either of the the BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Eastern or Western Challenge, skaters/teams in these competitions advance automatically to the BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships.
BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals
Held each year in a different Canadian city, this competition concludes the qualifying process for Juvenile, Pre-Novice and Novice skaters/teams competing in Singles, Pair and Ice Dance. Many skaters/teams are considered for international assignments based on their performance at this event. It is also following this event that Novice and Pre-Novice athletes are selected for the National Development Team.
BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships
Canada's national championships or "Canadians" are also held each year in a different Canadian city. Competition takes place in Singles, Pair, and Ice Dance at the Junior and Senior levels and Fours at the Senior level only. The previous year's top three finishers at Canadians in the Senior category are eligible for automatic entry into the Bank of Montreal Canadian Championships. At the conclusion of "Canadians", the teams that will represent Canada at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the ISU Four Continents and the ISU World Junior Championships are selected.
Byes
The granting of a bye permits a skater to pass to the next level of competition without competing at a prerequisite level. Byes may be granted through Sectional or Challenge level of competition. Byes are classified as: (1) Automatic when granted to all skaters or teams in a given situation (e.g. the competitors who placed first, second and third in a particular event), (2) Individual when granted to a particular skater for medical or international assignment reasons.
