Policies

Silver Blades Skating Club Policy Statement

Silver Blades Skating Club is focused on ensuring the wellbeing and safety of all skaters, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff, and all other participants. recognizes the potential severity of a head injury and the commitment and intent behind research to manage concussions. Silver Blades Skating Club is committed to educating those involved with Silver Blades Skating Club creating awareness to help prevent injuries and appropriately managing any suspected concussions and diagnosed concussions.

Application

This policy will be enforced at all Silver Blades Skating Club events, activities and programs with Silver Blades Skating Club staff and/or volunteers or those acting as agents of Silver Blades Skating Club as instructors, facilitators or any other capacity as designated by Silver Blades Skating Club

This policy applies to:

• All skaters, officials and coaches
• All participants that includes:
  • Individuals
  • Parents/guardians
  • Persons who interact with skaters, all defined as skater support personnel, including but not limited to team leaders, referees, medical/licensed healthcare professionals, paramedical or any other person working with, treating or assisting a skater or other individual
  • Persons employed by or engaged in activities, competitions, and programs with and/or hosted by Silver Blades Skating Club including but not limited to, directors of the Board, officers, employees and event volunteers of Silver Blades Skating Club
  • Spectators

This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Skate Canada Incidents of Injury Reporting and Management Policy and supporting procedure, the Silver Blades Skating Club Removal-from-Sport Protocol and the Silver Blades Skating Club Return-to-Sport Protocol

Definitions

Concussion:

• is a brain injury that causes changes in how the brain functions, leading to symptoms that can be physical (e.g. headache, dizziness), cognitive (e.g. difficulty concentrating or remembering), emotional/behavioural (e.g. depression, irritability) and/or related to sleep (e.g. drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep)
• may be caused either by a direct blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that transmits a force to the head that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull
• can occur even if there has been no loss of consciousness
• cannot normally be seen on X-rays, standard CT scans or MRIs
• can result in symptoms that are evident immediately or may evolve and persist over the course of hours, days or even months.

Designated Person:

At each Silver Blades Skating Club event, activity, or program with Silver Blades Skating Club staff or those acting as agents of Silver Blades Skating Club Silver Blades Skating Club will name a “designated person” who will have the following responsibilities: In accordance with Rowan’s Law, under the Removal-from-Sport Protocol for Silver Blades Skating Club the designated person(s) is/are responsible for ensuring that:

• A skater is immediately removed from further training, practice or competition if the skater has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion, regardless of whether or not the concussion was sustained from a sport activity associated with Silver Blades Skating Club
• If in the opinion of the designated person(s), there is an emergency and/or any red flag signs and/or symptoms appear – including those resulting from a suspected concussion, call 911;
• Removal of the skater from further training, practice or competition; and if the skater is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian is informed of the removal;
• The skater, or the parent or guardian if the skater is under 18 years of age, is advised that the skater is required to undergo a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner before the skater will be permitted to return to training, practice or competition according to the Return-to-Sport Protocol
• A skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, the skater’s parent or guardian receives the Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport Protocols for Silver Blades Skating Club as soon as possible after the skater’s removal
• Once removed, the skater is not permitted to return to training, practice or competition, except in accordance with the Return-to-Sport Protocol;

In accordance with Rowan’s Law, under the Return-to-Sport Protocol for Silver Blades Skating Club the designated person(s) is/are responsible for ensuring that:

• A skater who has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion does not return to training, practice or competition until permitted to do so in accordance with the Return-to-Sport Protocol
• When a skater has not been diagnosed with a concussion, the skater is only permitted to return to training, practice, or competition if the skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, the skater’s parent or guardian provides confirmation to the designated person(s) about the outcome of the skater’s medical assessment, specifically that the skater:
• has undergone a medical assessment by the physician or nurse practitioner and has not been diagnosed as having a concussion, and
• has been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition by a physician or nurse practitioner
• When a skater is diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner as having a concussion, the skater is not permitted to move on to unrestricted training, practice or competition unless the skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, the skater’s parent or guardian provides a confirmation of medical clearance by the physician or nurse practitioner to the designated person(s)
• A skater is not permitted to return to training, practice or competition through the graduated Return-to-Sport steps unless the skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, the skater’s parent or guardian has shared the medical advice or recommendations they received, if any, with the designated person(s)
• When a skater is diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner as having a concussion, the skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, the skater’s parent/guardian has been informed of the importance of disclosing the diagnosis to any other sport organization with which the skater is registered or school that the skater attends
• The regulation states that a designated person(s) may rely on the information received from a skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, from the skater’s parent or guardian in carrying out their responsibilities under Return-to-Sport Protocol

REMOVAL FROM SPORT PROTOCOL

The following outlines a process for immediate removal of a skater who is suspected of having sustained a concussion:

1. Remove the Skater
   a) Designated person(s) to immediately remove the skater from further training, practice or competition if the skater has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion regardless of whether the concussion or suspected concussion was sustained from an activity associated with Silver Blades Skating Club.
2. Call 9-1-1 if Emergency
   a) Designated person(s) to call 9-1-1 if in their opinion, doing so is necessary (e.g., if there is an emergency and any red flag signs and/or symptoms appear)
3. Inform
   a) If the skater is under 18 years of age, designated person(s) to inform the skater’s parent or guardian about the removal from further training, practice or competition 
   A medical assessment determines whether the skater has a concussion. A skater will not be permitted to return to training, practice or competition until they receive medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner to do so.
   b) Designated person(s) to advise the skater, or the parent or guardian if the skater is under 18 years of age, that the skater is required to undergo a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner before the skater will be permitted to return to training, practice or competition. 
4. Give Protocols
   Designated person(s) to provide the skater or, if the skater is under 18 years of age, the skater’s parent or guardian with the Silver Blades Skating Club. Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport Protocols as soon as possible after the skater has been removed from further training, practice or competition
5. Record the Incident
   a) Make and keep a record of incidences where a skater is removed from further training, practice or competition because they are suspected of having sustained a concussion regardless of whether the skater is later diagnosed with a concussion 
   b) The incident must be reported to Skate Canada, and copied to Skate Ontario, in accordance with the Skate Canada Incidents of Injury Reporting and Management Policy and supporting procedure. This information will be kept on file by Skate Ontario in accordance with the Skate Ontario Records Retention Policy.
6. Returning to Training, Practice or Competition
   a) Once removed, the skater is not permitted to return to training, practice or competition, except in accordance with the Silver Blades Skating Club Return-to-Sport Protocol.
   The following outlines a return-to-sport process for an individual who has been removed from training, practice or competition due to a suspected or diagnosed concussion, regardless of whether or not the concussion was sustained or is suspected of having been sustained during a sport activity associated with Silver Blades Skating Club.
   1. Receive Confirmation
      Ensure that an individual who has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion does not return to training, practice or competition until the individual or, if the individual is under 18 years of age, the individual’s parent or guardian provides confirmation to the designated person(s) that the individual:
      - Has undergone a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner and has not been diagnosed as having a concussion, and
      - Has been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition by the physician or nurse practitioner. 
   2. If Diagnosed with Having A Concussion
      If an individual has been diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner as having a concussion the individual must proceed through the graduated return-to-sport steps.
   3. Graduated Return-to-Sport Steps It is important to note that typical recovery times vary from person to person, and that some individuals may require more time to progress through the graduated return-to-sport steps. The graduated return-to-sport steps may include the following activities. It is typically recommended that an athlete with concussion rest for 24 to 48 hours before beginning step 1.

An individual is typically ready to progress to the next step when they can do the activities at their current step without new or worsening symptoms. If at any step symptoms get worse, they should stop and return to the previous step before trying again. If symptoms do not improve or if the symptoms continue to worsen, the athlete should return to the physician or nurse practitioner.

4. Share Medical Advice
An individual, or the individual’s parent or guardian must share the medical advice or recommendations they receive with the designated person(s) before being permitted to return to training, practice or competition through the graduated return-to-sport steps, if any.

5. Disclosing Diagnosis
The designated person(s) must inform the individual or, if the individual is under 18 years of age, the individual s parent or guardian of the importance of disclosing the diagnosis to any other sport organization with which the individual is registered or school that the individual attends.

6. Medical Clearance
The individual, or the individual’s parent or guardian must provide the designated person(s) a confirmation of medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner before the individual is permitted to move on to unrestricted training, practice or competition.

7. Record Progression 
The club must make and keep a record of the individual’s progression through the graduated return-to-sport steps until the individual, or the individual’s parent or guardian, has provided a confirmation of medical clearance by a physician or nurse practitioner to the designated person(s). Personal information retained under this protocol shall be retained, disclosed and disposed in accordance with Silver Blades Skating Club privacy policy.

Latest Review Date: July 25, 2024 Scheduled Review Date: July 2026 Date Created: July 2020

Accountabilities

All individuals and participants are responsible for:

• Being familiar with and understanding the provisions of this policy, the Removal-from-Sport protocol, Return-to-Sport protocol, as well as other applicable Silver Blades Skating Club Skate Ontario and Skate Canada policies and protocols
• Supporting Silver Blades Skating Club vision of providing the safest possible environment for all of our participants in the skating community
• Reporting all incidents of concussion, suspected and/or actual as outlined in the Skate Canada Incidents of Injury Reporting and Management Policy and supporting procedure
• Adhering to this policy and associated protocols as a minimum standard in addressing concussion injuries and the Return-to-Sport requirements
• Taking all applicable concussion and education training, as prescribed from time to time

Through this policy, Silver Blades Skating Club is committed to the following actions regarding concussions:

1. Increasing awareness regarding what concussions are and the potential for serious complications.
2. Enforcing procedures and training that promote preventative actions to help reduce the number of concussions.
3. Providing procedures that support staff, its agents, volunteers and skaters in ensuring quick recognition and removal of any individual with a suspected concussion from Silver Blades Skating Club) activities.
4. Ensuring that following a suspected concussion there are clear steps for both the individual and Silver Blades Skating Club to follow before a Return-to-Sport occurs to ensure the focus is on the individual’s long-term health.

This policy has been written to ensure compliance with Rowan’s Law and to complement the Silver Blades Skating Club Removal-from-Sport Protocol, Silver Blades Skating Club Return-to-Sport Protocol, the Silver Blades Skating Club Codes of Conduct, the Silver Blades Skating Club Rowan’s Law acknowledgment forms, and resources made available on the Silver Blades Skating Club website.

Return to Sport Protocol

Silver Blades Skating Club has implemented this Return to Sport Protocol to comply with the minimum requirements for return-to-sport protocols for skaters who have sustained a concussion or are suspected of having sustained a concussion during training, practices or competition in accordance with Rowan’s Law and the regulation made under that Act. This Return to Sport Protocol is consistent with Skate Ontario and Skate Canada’s protocol and policy.

Application

These protocols will be enforced at all Silver Blades Skating Club events, activities and programs.

This policy applies to:

• All skaters, officials, coaches, clubs and skating schools
• All participants that include:
  • Individuals
  • Parents/guardians
  • Persons who interact with skaters, all defined as skater support personnel, including but not limited to team leaders, referees, medical/licensed healthcare professionals, paramedical or any other person working with, treating or assisting a skater or other individual
  • Persons employed by or engaged in activities, competitions, and programs with and/or hosted by Silver Blades Skating Club including but not limited to, directors of the Board, officers, employees and event volunteers of Silver Blades Skating Club
  • Spectators

Everyone involved in sports, including athletes, parents or guardians, coaches, team managers, officials, teachers and licensed health-care professionals, can play a role in helping to prevent, identify and manage concussions. For more information on concussions and concussions in sport, please visit www.Ontario.ca/concussions.

Silver Blades Skating Club adheres to the guidelines provided by Skate Canada's National Safe Sport Program. These policies and procedures can be found by clicking the links below:

1. Misconduct Reporting and Resolution Policy
2. Misconduct Reporting and Resolution Procedure 

Latest Review Date: July 7, 2025        Scheduled Review Date: July 2027        Date Created: Sept 2020.

This Policy has been developed to address the need for Silver Blades Skating Club (herein identified as “SBSC”) to avoid conflicts of interest at all levels of operation, including in the actions of the organization as a whole, in decisions of committees and the Board, and in the work of the coaching staff.

This Policy applies to:

• every member of the Board of Directors (“Board”)
• every member of any committee (which includes sub-committees and task forces)

This Policy applies regardless of whether the director or committee member is an employee, official, coach, athlete, or volunteer.

General Obligations

The organization requires that its directors and committee members, at all times:

• act honestly and in good faith, in the best interests of the organization
• exercise their powers properly, and their discretion reasonably
• exercise their powers and discretion for the purpose for which they are conferred
• avoid conflict of interest.

“Avoiding” conflict of interest does not mean that a director or committee member will never be in a conflict of interest position - it means that when the person is (or could be) in a conflict of interest position, the situation is recognized and properly handled.

It is important to remember that conflicts of interest arise naturally, and often, in ordinary circumstances. There is nothing inherently wrong or illegal about the mere existence of a conflict of interest involving a director or committee member.

Conflicts of interest only become problematic if the director, committee member or the Board or committee, fail to recognize the conflict of interest, or fail to deal with the situation properly.

Generally, conflict of interest in this narrow sense arises when the director or committee member (or a person, company, or group associated with the director or committee member) wants to obtain some benefit (financial, professional, personal, or otherwise) from the organization.

For example, a committee member who is a coaching representative is entitled - and expected - to bring the coaching perspective to the table. However, when that member is called upon to make a committee decision, he or she must give priority to the best interests of the organization as a whole, even if that means the decision being made is not in the best interests of the coaching “constituency”.

The corporate and trust laws which govern Skate Canada and other organizations impose certain disclosure obligations on a director or committee member who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in any contract or proposed contract with the organization. Those same laws require the director or committee member to abstain from any discussion, debate and vote related to the contract or proposed contract.

Any breach of this policy is a disciplinary matter to be dealt with under the SBSC’s Dispute Resolution Process.

Latest Review Date: July 2024               Scheduled Review Date: July 2026                  Date Created: July 2020

Policy Statement 

The purpose of this policy is to outline membership and registration related policies for the Silver Blades Skating Club. Silver Blades Skating Club is located within the Province of Ontario and is a member of Skate Ontario as defined by Skate Ontario By-laws and as registered with Skate Canada. The Silver Blades Skating Club is a not-for-profit organization. The Silver Blades Skating Club is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors set policy, procedure and rules that can be found here. These may be updated from time to time. 

Membership Fee 

An annual Skate Canada registrant fee is included when you register for a program. It is valid from September 1 to August 31 and includes insurance coverage, along with access to all Skate Canada programs. Please note that your skater information will be shared with Skate Canada through the registration process. The Skate Canada registrant fee is non-refundable. For more information about Skate Canada, visit www.skatecanada.ca. 

Registration

For Pre-CanSkate, CanSkate and CanPower programs, registration for the 2025/26 season opens on July 28th and remains open until programs are full. A waitlist may be established.

For StarSkate programs: A detailed email is sent out in July with each individual skaters level, general membership requirements and registration details. Registration for the 2025/26 season is scheduled to open on July 28th for current youth Silver Blades members*. Non-members (i.e. those who don’t represent Silver Blades in competition, or meet the minimum session requirements for their level), non-youth skaters and Preliminary and up skaters new to Silver Blades will be able to register on July 30th. A waitlist may be established. Registration details can be found here. 

Refunds 

The Club does not provide make-up classes for missed sessions (on ice and off ice) for any reason.

Withdrawal from sessions will be accepted until the first business day after Thanksgiving, unless otherwise communicated. In this case, a pro-rated refund based on the number of sessions remaining for the season minus a $50 administration per family fee will be provided. The Skate Canada fee and the Family Fee are non-refundable. After the deadline, no refunds will be issued unless it falls under the Medical Refund Policy below. Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to info@silverblades.ca.

Medical Refund Policy: Medical refunds are only given in cases of prolonged and/or sustained medical issues that prevent a skater from skating at all. Some examples of this are concussions, fractures, or serious illness. These refunds are not designed for short-term absences. In order to make a request, the skater must miss three full weeks of CanSkate or StarSkate sessions in one registration period. Refunds are considered on a case by case basis.

Requests for medical refunds must be made in writing to the Board of Directors (board@silverblades.ca) and must be accompanied by a note from a licensed physician that clearly indicates the following in order to be considered:

• how long the skater is required to be absent
• specific reason for absence expected 
• date for return to skate

Refunds, if approved, will be issued in the form of a credit to be used towards any Silver Blades programs or products. If the credits aren’t redeemed by the end of the skating season, they will be held until the next season and applied to the registration fees, unless the skater is graduating, then they will be refunded to the member’s credit card or EFT, minus any administrative fee.

Club credit as a result of short-term club closure or cancelled session by the Club: In the case where the Club has to be closed for a continuous period up to 14 days or if a session is cancelled by the Club, a credit equal to the full amount of the price paid for applicable sessions will be posted on the members’ online account. This includes situations where the rink may be closed for a short period as a result of COVID-19. Only Silver Blades credits will be provided in this situation (i.e. no refunds). Note: For families with skaters who are in their final year, please contact the office to inquire about a refund at info@silverblades.ca.

Refunds for long-term club closure as a result of COVID-19 or another unforeseen event: In the case where the Club has to be closed for a continuous period longer than 14 days, a refund for that period will be provided. The Board of Directors have full discretion on the determination of the amount of the refunds for scenarios that require long-term closure.

For any other situation in regard to COVID-19 or similar scenarios, if the City of Toronto or Skate Ontario implement limitations to the skating season for either short or prolonged periods, an impact assessment (which takes into account ongoing expenses) will be completed by the Board to determine what, if any, credits/refunds can be provided.

Note: The Skate Canada fee and the Family Fee are non-refundable for any refund or credit. As well, any refunds will include a $50 administrative fee per family.

Safety & Policies 

By registering for a program you accept the terms as described in this policy as well as any rules, policy and procedure as established by the Silver Blades Skating Club. By registering all skaters agree to adhere to the rules and policies of both Skate Ontario and Skate Canada. More information on Skate Canada can be found at the following sites: Skate Canada - www.skatecanada.ca Skate Ontario - www.skateontario.org 

Equipment 

CSA approved hockey helmets are required until the completion of CanSkate Stage 5, face masks (helmet cage) are not mandatory; however young skaters may benefit from the added protection. Skaters must wear proper skates and gloves in good working condition. Participants without appropriate equipment will not be permitted on the ice. 

Approved by Board of Directors: July 7, 2025            Scheduled Review Date: July 2027

The definition of program music for the purposes of this policy will encompass freeskate/artistic/creative skills solos, as well as pairs/small group showcase numbers and free dance programs.

• There will be a program music play sign-up sheet on each session with two columns - one labeled “Coach” and one labeled “Skater”. Skaters will note their own names in the Skater column, and coaches will note skaters' names in the Coaches column.
• Coaches CANNOT note their skaters’ names in the “Skater” column.
• Skaters may not have their name noted in both columns of the music play sign-up sheet at the same time.
• Program music will be played according to this repeating pattern, working down the two columns of the sign-up sheet: three Coach plays and then a Skater play.
• Coaches cannot note more than ONE skater’s name back-to-back in the “Coach” column. For example, if you are doing a private-group lesson, you must wait until your first skater has completed their turn before noting your next group lesson skater, thus providing another coach the potential opportunity to note their private lesson skater next.
• Once the program music has been played, the person who has added the skater's name to the list should strike a line through it.
• Once a skater starts their music, they may NOT stop it and begin again. They must add their name to the list again, and wait for their next music play.
• Prior to test days or competitions, the Starskate Coordinator may enforce a Priority Line for skaters testing or competing prior to large events which will be communicated to Coaches and skaters 
• If there is no music in line, background music may be played.
• Skater’s must not use any sort of personal electronic device connected to headphones while on the ice at any time.
• Be considerate of other coaches and skaters—take your turn, abide by the rules, and please keep the volume at a comfortable level.
• The skaters’ high visibility sash is  mandatory to be worn while their music is being played.
• Skaters should promptly note their name and leave the music area to avoid congestion.

• All coaches and skaters should add their music to the Silver Blades' Ipad by email and playing music from phones should be avoided. 

Approved by Board of Directors: July 7, 2025         Scheduled Review Date: July 2027

Purpose:

 The Silver Blades Skating Club is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our members, employees, volunteers, and other stakeholders. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and manage personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable laws. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website, and we encourage members to review the policy periodically.

Collection of Personal Information:

 We collect personal information for various purposes, including membership registration, program participation, and communication. The types of personal information we collect may include:

• Name 
• Contact details (e.g., address, phone number, email) 
• Date of birth
• Medical information (for safety purposes)
• Payment information Personal information is the information that relates to you as an identifiable individual. It does not include business information (e.g. business address and telephone number) 

Use of Personal Information:

 The personal information we collect is generally used for, but not limited to, the following:

• Managing membership and participation in club/skating school activities.
• Communicating with members, employees, and volunteers.
• Providing services and support.
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of our members. 
• Processing payments and donations.
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements. 

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information to: 

• Authorized employees and volunteers who need the information to perform their duties.
• Third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors) who assist us in our operations.
• Skate Ontario and Skate Canada
• Legal authorities, if required by law or to protect our rights and safety. 

Storage and Security 

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. Personal information is stored in secure locations and accessed only by authorized personnel. 

Access and Correction 

Members have the right to access their personal information and request corrections if necessary. To access or correct your personal information, please contact us at info@silverblades.ca 

Retention and Disposal 

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. When personal information is no longer needed, we dispose of it securely. 

Rights and Choices 

Members have the right to:

• Access their personal information.
• Request corrections to their personal information.
• Withdraw consent for the use of their personal information (subject to legal or contractual restrictions).

 If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us at:

Silver Blades Skating Club

50 Montgomery Rd

Toronto, ON

M8X 1Z4

info@silverblades.ca 

Approved by Board of Directors: July 7, 2025          Scheduled Review Date: July 2027

Skaters are required to register for at least one weekly session at their current level. However, we strongly encourage our members to skate on as many sessions at their own level as possible since these will be the best fit for their skill level and on-ice safety. Silver Blades policy does allow for some skating up/down, but priority on a session will always be given to skaters who are qualified at that level first. We will allow skaters wishing to skate up or down to register for these sessions on July 29th at which time they will be automatically waitlisted. Any registrations for a session that is one level up or down from a skaters qualification will be reviewed by the StarSkate Coordinator taking into consideration eligibility, availability and ice safety. The Club reserves the right to not approve skate up/down requests.

Preliminary: Cannot skate up or down

Junior: Can skate up to Intermediate

Intermediate: Can skate up to Senior and down to Junior

Senior: Can skate down to Intermediate 

Note: on combo sessions (i.e. Prelim/Junior, Junior/Intermediate or Intermediate/ Senior), no up/down skating is allowed. Only those skaters at the two combo levels will be allowed on those sessions. 

Approved by Board of Directors: July 7, 2025          Scheduled Review Date: July 2027