The Markham Speed Skating Club welcomes people of all ages, skills and skating objectives. Membership numbers about 70 and is roughly divided into two-thirds children (5 years to 18) and one-third adults. We also have regular visitors from other nearby clubs. Many members race at provincial competitions while others enjoy the challenge of Club activities. We provide coaching for beginners to racers, whether children, youth,  or adults. You can progress at your own rate to suit your interests as they evolve. Most members have had previous hockey or figure skating experience when they join, but it is not necessary. Regardless of your experience, you will find it takes time to adapt to speed skates, to cope with high speeds, and to learn racing strategies. Girls and boys of different ages train together and often race together to ensure equal opportunity. Improvements in personal best times in races are as important as winning or finishing position. This is consistent with the Long Term Athlete Development Model created by Sport Canada and adopted and adapted by Speed Skating Canada for use by clubs across the country. Our coaches are qualified and experienced. Ron Blackwell (2nd. from left in the group photo to the right) is the Head Coach. Valerie Ing is our High Performance coach. She is a former member of the Canadian Women's Short Track Speed Skating team and a member of the 1998 Olympic Team in Nagano, Japan (single photo at right). They are assisted by Gary Witney (a former provincial record holder) (far right), Peter Treacy (second from right), Ron Wolfe, Jocelyn Bérard, Sanda Ianculescu (formerly on the Romanian national team), and other coaches. The Club is a member of the Ontario Speed Skating Association and the Markham Sport Council. The Club has received two grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in recent years: mats and skates were acquired, and an increased presence in the community was achieved with the first grant a program called FROM THE START was conducted with the second grant to introduce almost 900 elementary school children in Markham to speed skating. The Fit To Skate exercise program to satisfy elementary schools' Daily Physical Activity requirement was also developed. As a result of these grants, membership is considerably higher than before, and skating and racing standards have increased significantly, The Club operates from mid-September to late March each year, coinciding with the competitive racing season. We train on Thursday and Friday evenings at the Mount Joy Community Centre Arena in Markham on 16th. Ave. (north of Hiway 7; south of Major Mackenzie: east of Hiway 48).   See the map and Current News pages. If you are interested in trying to speed skate, please contact the Club. We will provide the speed skates , but please wear snug clothes and bring a helmet (e.g. bicycle, or hockey) and gloves. Further information is available on our Newcomers page. Speed skating is great fun for all ages and provides excitement for spectators too! We are sure you will want to continue! For further information, contact: Roger Buxton 905 477-0335 rbuxton@inforamp.net or Ron Blackwell 905 294-4768 ronblackwell@sympatico.ca

Illustration by Katherine Treacy