Revitalising figure skating in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is undergoing a significant revitalisation of figure skating that promises to inspire not only budding talents but also those dedicated to maintaining the sport's integrity.

The KZN Figure Skating organisation is strategically working towards a brighter future, with a spotlight on nurturing both athletes and officials.

The provincial organisation is proud to boast that 10 KZN figure skaters will compete in the Gauteng Inter-Provincial Championships from March 16 to 18 in Pretoria. This marks the first time in six years that a team of athletes from the province will take to the ice at such a competitive level, signalling a robust return for figure skating in the region.

Jo Cossavella, who had been on the South African Figure Skating Association exco, stepped down last year to take over as chairperson of KZN Figure Skating  believes that the future of figure skating as an Olympic sport in Durban hinges on two critical pillars, athletes and judges.

"It was exciting to see two clubs still existed in Amanzimtoti. They were being run but were not producing athletes. It became a priority to establish a development programme and all skaters from all clubs were invited to participate.

"We wanted to evaluate, assess and develop skaters into athletes. We are very excited that the skaters going to the Gauteng inter-provincials, with the exception of one, are all development skaters who had been through an intensive programme that ran for five months last year," she said.

Cossavella said figure skating was a lot of hard work, adding that they were governed by the International Skating Union to be able to compete internationally.

"When we had the larger ice rink in Durban, there were four clubs, now there are two. I would love to get the learn to skate programme running in Durban. To be able to teach the public how to be safe and skate on ice. It has been difficult to revive the sport. People started treating skating as a social sport instead of a competitive Olympic sport.

"We have always only had one ice rink. The difficulty is figure skating now includes many different types of skating and a lot of it is not possible on a small ice rink that we have in Amanzimtoti. We can only do solo skating, unlike in Cape Town and Gauteng they have solo, pairs and synchronised ice-skating because of the elements required. It is a challenge having a small rink," she said.

In addition to nurturing new talent, KZN Figure Skating is also dedicated to retaining those who have stepped away from competitive skating. To achieve this, they have designed pathways for these individuals to stay involved in the sport through officiating and development roles.

KZN Figure Skating partnered with Alicia Benade, a national senior judge specialising in solo ice skating and synchronised ice skating from the Western Province, to facilitate a structured 12-month online development programme for five prospective trial judges.

The programmes quality and standard was overseen by Jacci Brits, chairperson of the National Judges and Technical Committee, and a national senior judge, ensuring that all training meets high national standards.

Cossavella said the programme was intensive and required discipline, commitment and consistent effort, adding that candidates completed theory work, structured study, regular assessments and homework in preparation for each online session.

Out of the five applicants, Tannah Roode and Aquilla Fernandez successfully completed the full theory programme.

"This KZN Figure Skating initiative represents more than just a training programme, it reflects vision, collaboration and long-term commitment to building a sustainable future for figure skating in KwaZulu-Natal," said Cossavella.

She said they will be running the programme for three years.

"At the end we want six trial judges. Our aim is to ensure that as skaters age out of competition, often during matric and university, they can remain engaged with figure skating. We are targeting that age group to bring in the newer generation because there has to be succession," said Cossavella.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE