Skate Canada - Central Ontario
Skaters' Trust Fund

MEMBERS

Paul Cotter (Chairman)
Marion Dyke
Susanne Morgan
Gary Oswald
Jo-Anne Phelps
Barbara Roger
Mark Scott

Originally known as the Athlete's Trust Fund, the Skaters' Trust Fund emerged under the current name in November, 1988. Over the past 22 years, Skate Canada - Central Ontario has provided over $635,000 in athlete funding, primarily in the form of bursaries and athlete-related expenses.

Through contributions to this Fund and through the support by Skate Canada - Central Ontario, recreational and competitive skaters at all our member clubs have an opportunity to be their very best.

We are particularly proud this year to introduce the Standing Ovation Award in recognition of Margaret Garrison. Margaret was a long time Section Vice President and an ultimate volunteer who lost her courageous battle with cancer in 2009. In this introductory year, two skaters who share Margaret's passion for figure skating, will each receive an award of $1,000. On an ongoing basis a skater will receive an annual award of $1,000.

Also in 2009, COS introduced the Future CHAMPIONS Program, designed to recognize and financially reward the combined success of designated section competitors at Summer Skate, Octoberfest and BMO Sectional Championships.

In 2000, Skate Canada - Central Ontario reaffirmed its commitment to the Skaters' Trust Fund by donating 50 percent of the revenue generated from our annual Fun Competition with Team COS skaters being asked to donate their time and energy at this event. Since that decision, the Fun Competition has contributed more than $150,000 to the Fund. In recent years, this amount has also been complemented by the net proceeds of the Skate Canada - Central Ontario golf tournament and various hosting grants for national events, ice shows and donations from the organization's general fund.

Commencing in 2007, Skate Canada - Central Ontario participated in the Ontario Promotional Contest. This fundraiser/lottery has been a wonderful success, with net proceeds in excess of $103,000 to date, including approximately $35,000 raised for the Skaters' Trust Fund in 2009-2010.

The John Ritter Memorial Fund was established in 2002 to honour the memory of Tom Ritter. Tom was passionate about skating and was a very personable and popular young man who was taken from us much too soon. In his memory, the Ritter family entrusted the section to create a memorial fund. Each year, one skater who possesses Tom's passion for the sport is awarded a $500 bursary.

In 2006, the Executive Committee of the Skaters' Trust Fund examined how the funds were to be disbursed. Adhering to our motto that "excellence will be rewarded," the Skate Canada - Central Ontario Board of Directors approved a refinement of the disbursement policy by ensuring that the mandate provides only for direct athlete funding while any additional financial support, should it be the payment of entry fees, the purchase of team outfits or travel allowances, be allocated from the organization's general fund. Moreover, the Board of Directors again approved bursaries for gold, silver and bronze medallists at various Olympic, International Skating Union, Skate Canada and Skate Ontario events such as, but not limited to, the Canadian Championships, Junior Nationals and the Canadian Synchronized Championships. Consequently, skaters who reach the podium will be financially rewarded for their success. For our skaters who accept ISU international assignments, Skate Canada - Central Ontario is pleased to provide varying degrees of financial support for their participation and placement.

Skate Canada - Central Ontario continues to annually present the Elvis Stojko Awards and the Ruth Phillips Memorial Awards, the latter named after a former President of the Section. We are proud to honour these two individuals who contributed so much to our Section and athletes.

We wish to also thank the Scarboro and Georgina Skating Clubs for their generous contributions to this fund through the Scarboro Skate Awards and the Georgina Skate Awards. These clubs have generously supported athlete development in our section for many years through events that they hold annually.

In an age where government funding for amateur sport is constantly redefined and, in many instances reduced, it is important for all skating stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring the strong continuity of our sport. The future of our sport and our athletes continue to be significantly enhanced through the Skaters' Trust Fund.

Respectfully submitted,