Varsity

Varsity figure skating is currently offered only by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in partnership with Skate Canada, and is not part of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).  Eleven Ontario Conference universities: Brock, Carleton, Guelph, McGill, Queen's, Ryerson, Toronto, Trent, Waterloo, Western, and Wilfred Laurier compete annually for the top spot at the invitational competitions and the OUA Figure Skating Championships.

University of Toronto Varsity Blues

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues attracts skaters who choose to continue the sport while pursuing undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and professional degrees.  Our team is a great place to stay in the sport in a supportive environment and make new friends to balance an exceptional university career.  For more information about the UofT Varsity Blues, visit our website at www.varsityblues.ca/sports/figureskating or email us at uoftfigureskating@gmail.com

McGill Martlets

2005-2006 McGill Figure Skating Team
Top row (L-R): Kelly Harris, Chanel Kwok, Nina Foot, Kate McCall, Lee Freiburger, Airina Rodrigues, Magali Charpentier, Aurore Fauret, Ciara Ball
Bottom row (L-R): Meghan Grant, Stephanie Gielau, Audrey Tousignant, Amy Low, Hannah McDonald, Shizuka Shiono, Mallory Toner, Emily Harris
Website: www.mcgillfigureskating.spaces.live.com

It's an exciting time to be a Martlet Figure Skater.  Last year we made team history with our strongest season ever, earning silver medals at both the Queens Invitational in November and the OUA Championships in February, earning top three placings in nearly every event.  With a roster of dedicated and talented skaters for the 06-07 season, this year promises to be just as great!  Just as promising is our synchro event, now in its third year, as we welcome Ali Cornford and Kat Black as our new coaches.  Josee Picard, Valerie LeTensorer, and Hitomi Tatsuno will also be joining us again for the season.  We look forward to another year in our red dresses!

The McGill Figure Skating Team practices three mornings a week from September to March and travels to OUA competitions throughout the season.  We also have off-ice practices, team fundraisers, rookie night, and an end of the year show.  In addition to our competitive team, we offer a club option to skaters who do not make the team, or cannot make the full committment, but still wish to be involved.  Either way, we have a lot of fun!

Wilfred Laurier University Lady Hawks Varsity Team

2003-2004 team with WLU mascot, the Golden Hawk
Back row (L-R): Erica Armstrong, Lindsay Maloney, Brittany Wright, Kaiti Colville, Meaghan Davidson, Meghan Tallevi, Lindsey Maddick, Laura Mitchell, Missy Lloyd
Front row (L-R): Marissa Mcllmoyl, April Detzler, Kristen Baxter, Kimberly Edwards, Meghan Sidler, April Shaw, Natalie Palichuk, Tara Sampson-Kavelman
Website: www.laurierathletics.com/varsityathletics/createteam.asp?sport=WFIGU

University of Western Ontario Mustangs Varsity Team

The 2002-03 season was a very successful one for our team.  After placing 2nd at the Queen's Invitational in November, we improved to take the gold medal at the Waterloo Invitational.  At the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships held in March, we had strong performances in every event, and team members picked up medals in 11 of the 15 events.  Our success earned us the gold medal and our second consecutive OUA title.  Eight team members were OUA all-stars - Laura Boehmer, Nancy Ford, Diana Hyde, Liz Love, Leanne Moir, Rachel Smith, Julie South and Stacey Taylor.

The Western team, coached by Alma Moir and Amanda Graydon practices three morning a week.  We have limited ice time, so the entire team takes responsibility for our progress by helping each other out with technique, choreography and motivation.  In addition to our on-ice training, we do one off-ice synchro practice and a couple of conditioning sessions each week.  Conditioning sessions include a core body strength program and several different cardio workouts, ranging from boxfit to hip-hop classes.  These are great tem-building exercises.

Away from the rink, the team is a very cohesive group.  "Being a member of the Varsity Figure Skating Team is like nothing else" states Stacey Taylor, co-captain.  "The spirit, the team work and the thrill of doing something you love is what makes university skating so much fun."  Our off-ice comraderie ranges from Rookie night, pub nights and a couple of team dinners to impromptu gaterings, such as after-practice breakfasts.  At the beginning of the year, we draw names and throughout the year, we exchange gifts with our "Secret Buddies".  It's amazing how great your day is after discovering a "Secret Buddy" gift in your skate bag!!

Varsity skating is a great way to continue skating, while participating in the culture of the University of Western Ontario.  It's a lot of fun, and you get to meet a wide range of people in different faculties that all share a common bond.  Come join us!