The ISU holds the first Center of Excellence Annual Meeting for both Figure and Speed Skating

Bangkok, Thailand

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CoE Annual Meeting Bangkok 2023 2

Annual Meeting of the Figure and Speed Skating ISU Centers of Excellence (CoE) at the IWIS International Training Center in Bangkok (Center of Excellence), Thailand. @ISU

On June 6-8th 2023, the ISU held its annual Center of Excellence (CoE) meeting at the IWIS International Training Center (ISU Center of Excellence) in Bangkok (THA), reuniting for the very first time both the Figure and Speed Skating branches.

CoE IWIS International Training Center Bangkok 4

The IWIS International Training Center (ISU Center of Excellence) in Bangkok, Thailand, hosting the 2023 CoE Annual Meeting. @ISU

This combined gathering aimed at discussing the role of ISU’s Centers of Excellence to develop the sports internationally with a focus to plan a long-term integrated and sustainable approach.

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) annual meeting took a new format this year by bringing together all the representatives from the Figure and Speed Skating disciplines to enhance synergies and collaborations for the promotion of the sports.

Over three days, each CoE had the opportunity to present the training, coaching and research & innovation activities they are pursuing, as well as the initiatives they have set up in support of developing ISU Members.

All participants also had the chance to visit this year’s hosting CoE - the IWIS International Training Center in Bangkok - in order to gain knowledge, expertise and good practices about the facilities and services offered.

CoE IWIS International Training Center Bangkok 3

The IWIS International Training Center (ISU Center of Excellence) in Bangkok, Thailand, hosting the 2023 CoE Annual Meeting. @ISU

CoE Representatives at the meeting included:

Figure Skating Branch:

  • Christopher Trevisan (SUI - Champéry CoE)

  • Daniel Wende (GER - Oberstdorf CoE)

  • Luca Demattè (ITA - Bergamo CoE)

  • Vana Washiradusit (THA - Bangkok CoE – Hosting Country)

Speed Speed Skating Branch:

  • Alexis Sodogas (FRA - Font-Romeu CoE)

  • Chris Needham (USA – Salt Lake City CoE)

  • Freek Van der Wart (NED - Heerenveen CoE)

  • Jonathan Guilmette (CAN - Calgary CoE)

and with the supervision from:

  • ISU Council Member in Speed Skating - Suwanna Silpa-Archa

  • ISU Development Coordinator - Jildou Gemser

  • ISU Development Commission Member – Xu Xun

  • ISU Development Commission Member – Karn Luanpreda

  • ISU Development Commission Member – Franca Bianconi

  • ISU Project Manager – Laura Shi (ISU Development Project Manager)

 

This 2023 meeting edition gave particular attention on building a stronger collective spirit and network among all participating skating entities to work on new common projects, especially serving Members in need of infrastructure, ice time or specific skating expertise.

The ISU Centers of Excellence (CoE)

The ISU CoE acts as a quality label awarded periodically to selected skating entities based on the quality of their facilities as well as the performance and development-oriented initiatives implemented. As of today, there are 11 CoEs forming a worldwide hub that engages Skaters, Coaches, Officials and experts from the skating community for the fulfillment of training and development goals.

The International Skating Union (ISU) supports the funding and facilitation of the Centers of Excellence as part of its Development Program that aims at promoting, expanding and popularizing skating activities across the world and generations.