Bursary Information

The purpose of the Bursary Fund is to offer financial support to young talented competitive skaters in the pursuit of their goals.

History

In 1977 Guelph hosted the Divisional Championships for the Western, Northern and Manitoba Sections. Virginia Gilham, a judge from our section and an honorary member of the Guelph Figure Skating Club suggested that the profits made for hosting the event be put into a separate account or GIC. The interest generated on that money would be used to help skaters who participated in the Sub-Sectional, Sectional, Divisional and Canadian Competitions. A bank account designated for this purpose was set up with a total of $10,000.00.

The Bursary Committee was founded in July of 1997 as a result of a motion presented and passed at the Annual General Meeting of the Club in June of that same year. The purpose of this committee was to designate funding for the Sectional Competitive skater both at the Club level and in the Sectional, Divisional and National level. A subsequent motion was approved at the Board of Directors to include all Ontario Provincial Finalists.

In 1999, Juvenile Sub-Sectionals and W.O.S. was added to the category of competitive skaters who were eligible to receive funding. The funds given out to the skaters would be generated through the interest on this account as well as through other fundraising ventures such as the coffee table. The amount a skater received was dependent upon what competitions they skated in and determined annually by the Bursary Fund Committee.

At the competitive level, it costs each skater approximately $10,000 to $12,000 per year. These expenses include:

· Annual registration and membership
· Coaching fees
· Travel costs
· Dresses/Costumes
· Skates
· Music

The goal is to maintain adequate funds to assist skaters by supporting the training costs associated with figure skating at the competitive level. We hope to grow this fund significantly so that our present and future skaters may benefit. Donations to the Bursary Fund will be gratefully acknowledged and issued a tax receipt.