For WINTER 2024-2025

It is the time of year to start thinking again about winter.

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Registration for our rec program is open – and registrations are rolling in.

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Bring on the snow!  

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Below are some updates for you to note as we prepare for the coming season.

 

Expressions of Interest

If you are interested in coaching with Fortune Freestyle in the 2024-2025 season, you must complete and return the attached Expression of Interest to Colin Ingram at colin.ingram@rogers.com by November 1, 2024. We always interested in hearing from potential new coaches, but coaches returning an "Expression of Interest" by the November 1 deadline will be given priority for coaching for the 2024-2025 winter season.

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Please complete an expression of interest even if you may only coach occasionally during the winter season. Completing the expression of interest will ensure that we get the necessary paperwork completed, and you are on our roster in the event that we need you!

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Last year our Club saw a significant increase in membership, and this year I am hopeful that we will be at or above pre-COVID levels of participation. As a result, I expect that we will require more regular and occasional coaches for the season.​​

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Coaches' Meeting - Save the Date

We have scheduled our coach kick-off meeting for the evening of Thursday, November 14. Please save the date as this will be mandatory for coaches planning to coach with us on a regular basis (i.e., full camps and programs) during the 2024-2025 winter season, and strongly encouraged for all occasional coaches. Coaches who coach with us for five or more days in the season will be paid for their attendance.

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Among other topics, we will be discussing some updates to our recreational program, as well as some changes/updates to the coach licensing process.

It is always great to get everyone together before the season starts - and we look forward to seeing you!

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Coach License Renewal Requirements

By way of reminder, the coach licensing process continues to become more stringent. To renew your coaching license, you must have completed the Making Ethical Decisions (MED) online evaluation, Safesport Training, and Making Headway in Freestyle Skiing. The Safesport Training must be completed every two years. Please don’t wait to complete these requirements to ensure that you are eligible to coach with us this year!

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Additionally, Freestyle Ontario require all coaches to have a valid Criminal Records Check (“CRC”) on file.  You will be prompted to consent to do the CRC when renewing your coach license on Snow Reg.  Fortune Freestyle will reimburse the cost.  The CRC must be repeated every two years.  If you had a CRC completed last year, when you renew your license, there is a box to “check” during registration so that you don’t have to get new CRC this year.

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Finally, as a club that has taken the Safe Sport Pledge, Fortune Freestyle requires all of its adult coaches to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). Freestyle Canada now also requires coaches born before March 12, 1994 (i.e. over 30) to obtain a VSC in order to obtain a coach license. The VSC goes further than a Criminal Records Check (CRC) and is the recommended standard for adults working directly with children and youth.  Each year after your initial VSC you must also sign a declaration indicating that you have not committed any offenses since the VSC was completed.  After the 5 years since your initial VSC, Fortune Freestyle will ask that you re-do the VSC (some of you are up for renewal of your VSCs). For Ottawa residents, a VSC can be obtained from the Ottawa police (see Level 3 - Vulnerable Sector Check) at a cost of $71 which will be reimbursed by the club. Residents outside of Ottawa will need to look into requirements of the jurisdiction where they live.

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The VSC can also take time to obtain and may require you to attend in person at the police station - especially if it the first time you are getting one. Don't wait until the last minute!