Figure Skating in
Northern Ontario
The Ashley Waite Award given out by the
Sudbury Skating Club
Congratulations
Mathew Penasse!
The first winner
of the Ashley Waite Award was Mathew Penasse of the Sudbury Skating Club.
The Award is given to the skater who
provided the best ever all out performance in any category at Let’s
Skate (see below). The Award is in memory of a young skater who tragically
lost her life not so long ago. It is meant to be a a tribute to Ashley’s
great spirit, smile and her unforgettable personality.
Her parents were on hand to present the
Award. The courage Ashley undoubtedly inherited from them was present
and noticeable. We want to thank them for finding the "stuff" to become
such an inspiring part of this event.
Mathew's performance obviously showed the
judges his talent and determination to go far in the world of Canadian
figure skating. As a lay person trying to sum up his performance the
words power, grace and really big jumps! pop readily to mind. Thank you
Mathew for a delightful display of skating talent.
The Ashley Waite Award
The Sudbury Skating Club
is introducing a very special award this year. Ashley Waite started
skating at age 4 in the Canskate program at the Valley East Skating
Club. Her first coach was Kay McIvor and she took Ashley to her first
competition in 1993. She placed first in the “Ankle Biters” category at
the Sudbury Interclub competition. This was Ashley’s introduction to our
great sport. She skated for the Valley East Club for several years. She
attended local area events and progressed through the system. In 1997
Ashley joined the Sudbury Skating Club and her success provided her with
opportunities as a competitive skater. She represented our club well at
all of the events she attended. Ashley formed a special bond with her
coaches and her skating friends.
Ashley had many adventures as a skater. During the summer of 1997, she
skated in Montreal working with Paul Wirtz. She made the Northern
Ontario Development Team. She placed first at The Northern Ontario
Interclub and through the Interclub route qualified for the All-Ontario
Event. The following summers she trained in Kitchener with Bob MacKowski.
She returned home passing her competitive tests and qualified at
Sectionals to represent Northern Ontario and the Sudbury Skating Club at
Divisionals. Garth Devon, Wendy Philion and Heather Basso all enjoyed
working with Ashley.
In 2001 at the age of 14, she ended the summer season with a third place
finish in Novice ladies at Thornhill. With her family moving to Barrie,
Ashley decided to take a break from skating. Most important to Ashley
were the friends she made along the way as well as the practical jokes
that she would torment those around her with to add a little excitement
to her day! In 2003 Ashley was tragically taken away from us.
As a tribute to Ashley’s great spirit, smile and her unforgettable
personality, the Sudbury Skating Club is proud to honor her memory every
year at “Let’s Skate”. This year marks the first annual presentation of
the “Ashley Waite Award”. It will be presented to a skater who provides
us with an all out best ever performance in any category at Let’s Skate.
The winner will be selected by the judges.
Ashley will be remembered forever by all her friends in skating and
every one of us at the Sudbury Skating Club.
