A PAIR of eager figure skating trial judges was brought on board by KZN Figure Skating as the sporting NPO focuses on developing talent across the province.

Also read: Warner Beach learner wins City mascot designing competition

Tannah Roode and Aquilla Fernandez are collecting pre-loved clothing and books for the KZN sustainability project. All judges are volunteers and trial judges pay for their own training and development. Funds raised from the project will go towards their development and covering their travel expenses.

KZN Figure Skating’s Jo Cossavella said that when she took over as chairperson last year, two critical priorities for growth and development of the sport in Durban were identified, namely moulding athletes and judges. After last year’s development programme, 10 figure skaters will be competing in the Gauteng Inter-Provincial Championships in March in Pretoria.

“A meaningful and inspiring rebuild is underway in our province, focusing not only on developing athletes, but also on growing the officials who protect the integrity, fairness and future of figure skating. Training as a figure skating judge is a long, demanding and highly specialised journey. All figure skating judges are volunteers, and trial judges receive no funding, meaning they personally carry the cost of their training, travel and development. This requires real passion, commitment and belief in the sport,” said Cossavella.

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

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

Fernandez said she feels nervous, yet excited and credits the training group and mentorship for making the opportunity possible. “We’ve been blessed to have people willing to make time to teach and guide us. Without the study group, I would not have this opportunity.”

She has been skating since the age of eight and sees trial judging as a natural way to remain part of the sport that has shaped her life.

Equally inspiring is Roode, who describes her experience in the judging programme with honesty and optimism. “I’m super excited for the opportunity and looking forward to the continuous learning and experience I will gain. In the beginning, I found it a bit overwhelming, but the more the course progressed, the more knowledge and confidence I felt I had gained,” said Roode.

If you would like to support the sport’s development locally while also supporting Roode and Fernandez, donate pre-loved books and clothing at the Galleria Ice Rink. For more information, WhatsApp 082 488 8969.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.