Junior & Development

 Investment in our juniors is a key priority for ISSNZ as it looks to create a legacy of world- class skaters and national   participation. 

 Our CAISSC Primary skaters had their most successful year on the ice breaking an incredible  14 New Zealand records. This was achieved by CAISSC's youngest skaters in both the girls and boys grades  and is very encouraging for the future of the sport. 

 We also had record number of skaters competing at all events hosted in New Zealand throughout the year.  Unfortunately the senior CAISSC members of our National team were unable to compete at either the Australian or New Zealand Championships due to their final training build up overseas prior to International competitions

 We continue to seek international experience for our junior skaters, in line with our long-term development programme. In October, eleven New Zealand skaters crossed the Tasman to represent their clubs at the 2008 Australian Open Short Track Championships in Sydney.  Several skaters placed in the top 4 of their grade, with all those competing gaining critical experience on an international stage.

 In January, New Zealand    selected a team of juniors to compete at the Junior World Championships in Canada.  Given his solid performance CAISSC representative Tom Pearce continued on to compete for New Zealand at the last two World Cup meets for the 2008/09 season in Europe. We are very proud of Tom stepping up to compete at an international level and the experience has been vital for him.  

 Additional Achievements

 Our sport has once again been recognised at the 2008 Canterbury Winter Sports Awards held at the Convention Centre in Christchurch, There were 600 people present with 18 sports being represented.  Both Keith de Dulin and Ethan de Rose were recognised for their sporting contribution and achievements respectively.  Ethan has broken 9 NZ records this season and Keith is a competition announcer and also the current  ISSNZ President.  Keith has also served as a long standing ISSNZ Board member.  

Julie Lane received the Administrator of Year Trophy for her outstanding contribution to Speed Skating in the Canterbury region at a grassroots, club and National level.  Francesca Jackson was the recipient of the H.A Allchurch Memorial Trophy (Speed Skater of the Year).  This was for her outstanding achievements nationally and internationally during the 2007/2008 year.