OSSA Competitive Season Cancellation

OSSA Notice of Cancellation

December 7, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the remainder of the 2020-2021 Short Track season including the Ontario Provincial Circuit and the Ontario Elite Circuit have been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns and limitations.

This is a decision that was not made lightly but with an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and all other stakeholders. In making this decision we considered the clubs’ ability to secure ice for competitions, the number of skaters allowed, the commitment to travel to competitions and determined with so many uncertainties that cancellation was the most appropriate and prudent action to undertake.

We are continuing to offer virtual competitions and virtual dryland training, which started again on November 28. We are also delighted to have just shared our NextGEN Provincial Training Program with the skating community.

The Ontario Speed Skating Association is proud of its membership and the ongoing commitment to providing innovative solutions to the challenges posed by COVID-19. Rest assured that as new developments happen, we will keep you informed every step of the way. We all look forward to getting back into the arenas for competitions when it is safe for us to do so.

OSSA NextGEN Program 2020-2021

December 7, 2020

In order to continue to develop speed skaters who are prepared to yield performance results at future Youth and Junior National Championships in both Short Track and Long Track, Ontario Speed Skating is excited to name a NextGEN Team for the 2020-2021 season.

This year’s NextGEN program will include virtual training sessions that focus on Support Team services, including nutrition, mental preparation and functional movement training. Sessions will be conducted either in a virtual group setting or through virtual individual sessions.

More information about the 2020-2021 NextGEN Program, including program details and identified skaters, can be viewed on the OSSA website HERE.

Special Olympics Canada Coach of the Year!

December 7, 2020

After being named the Special Olympics Ontario Coach of the Year in the fall, we would like to congratulate Laura Woodall for receiving the same honour with Special Olympics Canada! Laura has been a Special Olympics speed skating coach for 22 years. She coaches in Belleville, but her expertise and technical knowledge have improved the sport across the province. She is a mentor to many coaches and helped bring the quality of speed skating in Ontario to new levels. She helped integrate Special Olympics racing into our Ontario Speed Skating meets, which has created positive experiences for all skaters – with and without an intellectual disability. Laura has a very special place in our hearts as an entire Province. Her dedication and enthusiasm to everyone at the rink is exemplary. Well done. Well deserved. And, we can’t wait to thank Laura in person!