SynchroNice / Third Edition / 2018

SYNCHRO NICE 93 We took a year to speak with you, get to know you, to hear your pain points and celebrate your victories. If there’s one thing we want you to take away, it is this: OneTeamMVMT is here for you, we are listening to you and we’re working tirelessly on your behalf. We are proud to say that skaters from 15 countries across the globe are wearing our signature t-shirts and over 10,000 community members have participated in our global flash mob. This growing movement is not only strengthening the community, but elevating the sport in the public’s eye. And that’s only year one. 2018 marks the 18th season since the first ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. Our sport is no longer the younger sister of the skating disciplines, but a feisty teenager that’s eager to prove herself on the world stage. It’s about time that someone stepped in to help show her the way. That ‘someone’ is OneTeamMVMT. Here’s a taste of what we’ve done and plan to do in order to continue pushing synchro into conversations and arenas around the world. 1) VALIDATION & AWARENESS We know how hard you work — after all, many of our board members grew up on the ice. It’s time the rest of the world saw the artistry, the athleticism and the sacrifice that so many young athletes make, to be a synchronized skater. We heard and shared your stories of why synchronized skating should be an Olympic Sport through our first contest giveaway (#OneTeam1K), and shared your stories of what synchro has taught you in our ONETEAMMVMT: BUILDING SYNCHRO ONE BLOCK AT A TIME Written by: Kristen Loritz & Lisa Miadovnik Editing:Tiffany Elliot & Maggie Head global Riedell Skate Giveaway. We gave the world a taste of synchro at our Canada 150 public skating parties, and we continue striving to make “What is synchro?” a question of the past. OneTeamMVMT wants to amplify this sport, while empowering as many young women and athletes as we can along the way. 2) DEVELOPMENT While synchro programs are thriving in many areas, there is an essential need for additional support and resources to help teams learn, interpret and apply the rules. What does an ideal angled intersection look like? When should my skaters start turning? What are illegal elements? Clarity of rules is still a barrier for coaches, skaters, and fans. OneTeamMVMT appreciates and applauds the annual synchronized skating development seminar hosted by the ISU, yet recognizes the need for more accessible education on a local and grassroots level, in order for the sport to grow around the world. Last season, we partnered in hosting a synchro development camp in California (Sun Surf Synchro). We also provided educational materials for Camp of the Champs in Kansas City (Missouri, USA), as well as for synchro summits in both the UK and USA. Building on this momentum, we’re excited to share that we will be launching two pilot camps, featuring world-level coaches and special guests in Raleigh, North Carolina (June 29-July 1, 2018) and Montreal, Quebec (July 13-15, 2018). Mark it in your calendars, and stay tuned for more info – we hope to see you all there! 3) COMMUNITY We asked thousands of you why you love synchro, and we heard you loud and clear – your team is your family! The truth is, the unique “sisterhood” of synchro is what attracts so many skaters and sets the synchro discipline apart from the others. And yet, despite how connected you feel with your teammates, the larger community often remains divided, lacking a platform to collaborate and help one another for the betterment of the sport. Our goal at OneTeamMVMT is to continue to build and unify an energized and engaged community through initiatives like our flashmob (performed at seven ISU competitions last season), our National TeamMeet & Greets (available to all via social media), and our experiential poster activities that spread joy at nine events last season, including the junior and senior ISU World Championships. We want to strengthen the bonds and create better communication channels within our synchro network so that we can all rise together. In a nutshell: OneTeamMVMT advocates for the growth and development of synchronized skating globally — both within the skating world and within the public eye — so that this sport is positioned optimally not only for Olympic inclusion, but for lifelong enjoyment for all of its community members. Want to hear more about our impact, or find out how you can get involved? Check out our website for details: www.oneteammvmt.com . 