2012 USA ROLLER SPORTS ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ADDENDA

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1 2012 USA ROLLER SPORTS ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ADDENDA Inline Hockey Committee Minutes Addendum A Roller Figure Committee Minutes.... Addendum B Rink Hockey Committee Minutes.... Addendum C Derby Committee Recommendations and Minutes.....Addendum D Speed Committee Minutes... Addendum E Executive and Finance Committee Minutes. Addendum F

2 USARS INLINE HOCKEY COMMITTEE REPORT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Lincoln, NE - November 2012 USARS INLINE HOCKEY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: Brent Benson - Staff Director, George Pickard (Chairman) Nebraska, Keith Noll Wisconsin, Arlene Lehman Colorado, Mark Vittese New Jersey, Jon Roux Pennsylvania, Jetta Rackleff (Athlete) - Oregon and Charlotte Nicholson (Athlete) North Carolina. Committee procedures: All members of the Inline Hockey Committee are active participants in the administration of USARS and AAU inline hockey tournaments and championships. As meet officials, they interface directly with one another throughout the season. The two athlete members of the committee were participants on Team USA for the 2012 FIRS Women's World Inline Roller Hockey Championship. USA. In addition to this, we maintain open committee networking via telephone and . All members of the committee have been solicited via for their input in preparing this report. STATUS OF FIRS PLAYING RULES CHANGES - USARS/AAU has been notified via its CIRILH Executive Committee representative, Keith Noll, that the International Federation's is experiencing yet another delay with the revision and publication of its inline hockey playing rules. There is hope that this will be remedied sometime in early The USARS Inline Hockey Committee intends for its USA program to remain in conformity with FIRS rules, as directed by the USARS Board of Directors. THE 2012 WORLD INLINE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS were concluded in July in Bucaramanga, Colombia. This was the first time that the Inline Hockey World Championships were organized in Latin America. Next year, in Cali, Colombia, the IGA International World Games will be presented, which will happily include inline hockey again as one of its multiple sport presentations. Staging the first Inline Hockey World Championships in Colombia was not without its problems, with procurement of a new skating surface and hockey boards, but these challenges were overcome and the resulting quality of the World Championships was excellent. The games were hard-fought and the action streamed live daily over the internet throughout the world. Keith Noll arranged for experienced USA coaches to aid the training of Colombian teams for the world championships. The city of Bucaramanga had neither an existing hockey rink or inline hockey club prior to accepting the responsibility for hosting the World Championships. We should like to cite USA coaches Jeff Prime and Rich Garvey in particular for their help with South American teams to encourage wider participation in the women and junior men divisions. These two men helped make the transition for many new South American players for the first time in World Inline Hockey competitions. The big surprise was the Colombian Junior Men's Silver Medal finish. 1

3 Results for Finalist National Teams from a field of 16 participating in the 2012 FIRS Senior Men World Inline Hockey Championship: 1. United States of America - World Championship Gold Medal; 2. Canada - World Championship Silver Medal; 3. Czech Republic - World Championship Bronze Medal 4. Italy; 5. Switzerland; 6. France; 7. Latvia; 8. Colombia Results for National Teams from a field of 9 participating in the 2012 FIRS Senior Women World Inline Hockey Championship: 1 - Canada - Gold Medal; 2 - USA - Silver Medal; 3- Spain - Bronze Medal; 4 - Mexico; 5 - France; 6 - Argentina; 7 - Colombia; 8 - Brazil; 9 - Australia Results for National Teams from a field of 9 participating in the 2012 FIRS Junior Men World Inline Hockey Championship: 1 - Czech Republic - Gold Medal; 2 - Colombia - Silver Medal; 3 - USA - Bronze Medal; 4 - France; 5 - Switzerland; 6 - Mexico; 7 - Brazil; 8 - Australia; 9 - Ecuador USA 2012 MEDAL COUNT: 1 Gold - 1 Silver - 1 Bronze KEITH NOLL'S COMMENTS ON INLINE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: " I had great reservations when the 2012 World Championships were announced as going to Colombia. I was very concerned about the safety of our athletes after reading negative tourism reports posted online by the US State Department. The Colombian people, government officials, the police and the Colombian Roller Skating Federation were superb hosts for the championships. There were no adverse incidents of danger to any participant. I can state unequivocally that I look forward to the World Games that will be hosted by Cali, Colombia next summer. As the CIRILH Tournament Director for the Men's Championships in Bucaramanga and acting as host for next year's World Championships in Anaheim, California, I hope we can show the same hospitality to all the participating countries that we have been shown while in Colombia." USARS & AAU ROLLER HOCKEY COACHES EDUCATION CLINIC Congratulations to the PIRHL SCHOLASTIC LEAGUE, their President, JON ROUX and to their officers on hosting the USA s most successful turnout, ever for a USARS-AAU Coaches Education Clinic. On behalf of FIRS-CIRILH, the Pan American CPRS, USA Roller Sports and its AAU Hockey grass roots organization, we are pleased to announce more coaches' clinics are being set up throughout the America s. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Roller Hockey League (PIRHL) hosted its annual education-training courses for coaches September 22nd & 23rd, with over 350 inline hockey coaches in attendance. The clinic took place at the Blade Runners Ice Complex located in Pittsburgh, PA. The clinic was presented by former USARS Roller Sports Team USA Women's coach Jeff Prime and current Team USA Women s coach Chalie Sgrillo. The clinic ran from 10:00 am 2:00 pm on 2

4 Saturday and Sunday. All the coaches in attendance received their coaching credentials for the upcoming season, which started October 6. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Roller Hockey League, sanctioned by USARS and AAU is the largest High School Roller Hockey League in the United States consisting of over 36 different school districts, inclusive of 121 teams from the Elementary to the Varsity level. The league has 60 plus registered game officials and over 2500 registered athletes, coaches and volunteers. The PIRHL season operates from September to March of each year. The league utilizes five different facilities located throughout the Pittsburgh Area. PIRHL President Jon Roux commented, "The success of this clinic and the positive feedback the league has received since that weekend, encourages PIRHL that it is positioned for huge success during this coming season. Plans are now being formulated to hold additional advanced coaches education training sessions later this winter. Their location, dates and times will be announced." INLINE HOCKEY WORLD TEAM SELECTION FOR 2013 The USARS Inline Hockey Committee recommends that USARS holds the 2013 World Championship Team USA tryouts at the San Diego Olympic Training Center for all divisions, Senior Men and Junior Men & the Senior Women and Junior Women teams. Former Men s World Champions Team USA coach Joe Noris will have his new hockey rink in San Diego completed by the first of the year. I anticipate we will know the potential dates that the rink will be available to us no later than October at the Hockey Expo in Las Vegas. Once we know these dates, Peggy can attempt to secure beds and meals from the USOC Training Center. With the World Championships in Anaheim, California and the attraction of the OTC, we should be able to recruit our best teams to represent the United States at home. While we don t think anyone can argue with the success of the selection committee, last year after our teams produced such outstanding performances, we believe that with the next World Championships in Southern California we will have NO SHORTAGE of athletes trying out for the 2013 teams. Therefore we wish to return to an actual trials where athletes may be directly viewed for team participation in The 2013 FIRS Junior Women World Championships will have their inaugural event this summer in Southern California Men s Selection Committee (Senior and Junior) Administrative only: Keith Noll Office staff: Peggy Young & Brent Benson Ken Murchison- Men s Head Coach Chuck Thuss- Men s Assistant Coach Mark Vittese - USARS Board Member Don Molnar Rob Coggins- Office staff Athlete: T/B/A Former Men s World Team member 2013 Women s Selection Committee (Senior and Junior) Administrative only: Keith Noll Office staff: Peggy Young & Brent Benson Chalie Sgrillo- Women s Head Coach Dave Marmostein- Women s Assistant Coach Jeff Manning- Junior Women s Head Coach Mark Vittese-USARS Board Member Jon Roux- USARS Hockey Committee Athlete: T/B/A Former Women s World team member 3

5 2013 WORLD INLINE CHAMPIONSHIP COACHES Team USA Staff : Men s Team: Ken Murchison-Head Coach, Chuck Thuss-Assistant Coach, Jon Roux- Team Manager, Referee: TBA Women s Team: Chalie Sgrillo-Head Coach and Dave Marmorstein-Assistant Coach, Jon Roux-Team Manager, Referee: TBA Junior Men Team: Dave Inouye- Coach, Referee: TBA Junior Women s Team: Jeff Manning Coach, Referee: TBA Note: Assistant Coaches will not travel at the expense of the USARS program FIRS WORLD INLINE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS Anaheim & Huntington Beach, California FIRS JUNIOR MEN & JUNIOR WOMEN WORLD INLINE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS JULY 6 (Sat) Practice for teams who arrive early. JULY 7 (Sun) - Practices and OPENING CEREMONIES JULY 8-10 (Mon - Wed) - POOL PLAY JULY 11 (Thurs) - POOL PLAY/BRACKETS JULY 12 (Friday) - BRACKET PLAY JULY 13 (Sat) - MEDAL GAMES/CLOSING CEREMONIES FOR JUNIOR MEN & WOMEN FIRS SENIOR MEN & SENIOR WOMEN WORLD INLINE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS JULY 14 (Sun) - Practices and OPENING CEREMONIES JULY (Mon - Wed) - POOL PLAY JULY 18 (Thurs) - POOL PLAY/BRACKETS JULY 19 (Friday) - BRACKET PLAY JULY 20 (Sat) - MEDAL GAMES/CLOSING CEREMONIES FOR SENIOR MEN & WOMEN AAU-USARS JUNIOR OLYMPICS - Adult AAU Nationals Pro Elite Men s Women s Divisions AIHL ELITE (FIRS International Teams welcome to compete) JULY 11 (Thurs) - AAU/USARS Club Divisions-H.B.-6u-10u-14u-18u Adult Men & Women JULY 12 (Friday) - AAU/USARS Club Divisions-H.B.-6u-10u-14u-18u Adult Men & Women JULY 13 (Sat) - AAU/USARS Club Divisions-H.B.-6u-10u-14u-18u - Adult Men & Women JULY 14 (Sun) - AAU/USARS Club Divisions-H.B.-6u-10u-14u-18u Adult Men & Women FIRS INTERNATIONAL WORLD YOUTH CUP-(Junior Olympics) 10u-12u-14u-16u.. (Team USA s & International Teams Only) JULY (Mon - Tues) - POOL PLAY...FIRS World Cup Youth Championships JULY 17 (Wed) - POOL/BRACKET PLAY...FIRS World Cup Youth Championships JULY 18 (Thurs) - BRACKETS/MEDAL GAMES...FIRS World Cup Youth Championships AAU-USARS JUNIOR OLYMPICS - (International Youth Teams welcome to play) JULY (Thurs - Sun) - AAU/USARS Club Divisions-H.B.-8u-12u-16u... 4

6 THE 2013 WORLD INLINE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS The 2013 FIRS World Inline Hockey Championships will be held in Anaheim, California, hosted by the AAU and the NHL Ducks Professional Hockey Organization. Reebok/CCM will be the title sponsor. There will be no expense incurred by USA Roller Sports as the FIRS national federation host for this event. AAU, The Ducks Organization and Reebok/CCM will provide all services and pay all expenses associated with this competition, including the FIRS sanction fee. The 2013 World Championship will be conducted in full accord with the standard FIRS world championship contract. Keith Noll and the Ducks organization delivered the contract to USARS President George Kolibaba, who has signed it. It was then sent on to CIRILH headquarters in France. The Ducks are prepared to provide a first class world championship by furnishing rink venues including the Honda Center for the World Championship medal finals and three other of the Ducks owned inline hockey facilities for the eliminations and quarter-finals. All the necessary hotel rooms needed for teams and officials are reserved and ground transportation from and to Los Angeles International Airport will be provided according to world championship requirements. This world championship will be the first one of CIRILH that recognizes Junior Women's inline hockey, along with Junior Men, Senior Men and Senior Women. The Anaheim Ducks have recently made a considerable investment in inline roller hockey, purchasing a three rink facility in Irvine, the existing three rinks in Huntington Beach and already owning two inline hockey rinks in Corona, California. The Ducks are confident that they can arrange national television. WORLD GAMES CALI, COLOMBIA The starting dates for Inline Roller Hockey is July 26, Closing date is July 30, Date of Arrival (with jet lag day) July 24 and departure July 31, Between arrival and departure dates the Organization Committee will pay for accommodation and meals for: Inline Hockey Athletes - 112; Officials - 18; this will be an expansion to 8 teams from 6 in previous years, with 14 players allowed per team. (8 X 14 = 112). Officials include 8 team coaches and 6 referees. The appointed FIRS inline hockey coordinator is Steve Marcoux a former Canadian now a citizen and resident of Colombia. The rapport between Marcoux and the Cali World Games Organizing Committee seems to be good. Marcoux has the confidence and support of CIRILH President Gilbert Portier and our CIRILH representative Keith Noll. NEW PRESIDENT TAKES OVER AAU - THIRD THIS YEAR The AAU underwent a change of leadership early in 2012, with Bobby Dodd exiting as President after two decades of service and Louis Stout of Lexington, Kentucky replacing him. Stout was a 36 year veteran administrator of AAU and highly respected. Stout was of retirement age, but as AAU First Vice President he stayed over to guide the AAU through an unexpected transitional period. Regrettably, Louis Stout did not finish out the year, dying suddenly from a long term health issue. On September 26, yet another veteran AAU administrator, recently serving as the new First Vice President, was then asked to step up into the AAU Presidency. He is Henry Forrest of Arkansas, with 35 years of law enforcement experience and 20 years with the AAU, and was currently Chairman of the Compliance Committee. This year, when Louis Stout was presented with a $40,000 bill from inline hockey, without knowing the history of such payments to USARS, the new AAU President naturally balked at authorizing such a large payout, without knowing more about the reasons. After written exchanges, Stout decided to come to Lincoln to review the organization firsthand and learn more about its leadership and goals. As AAU President, Stout visited Lincoln on March 26th in the company of James Parker, AAU Director of Operations, accompanied by Keith Noll who is the national administrator of USARS/AAU inline hockey. Reassured by inspection of our 5

7 operations, Stout reinstated the payment of AAU's $40,000 contribution to the inline hockey world teams for While here, we discussed the broad base of USARS participation in FIRS Senior Men and Women Junior Men and the addition of Junior Women's World Championships starting in This was an important factor in overcoming the early advantages gained by USA Ice Hockey with their false claims as the dominant Olympic power for inline hockey. Our relationship with AAU requires that we seek a solution that enables inline hockey to bear our own financial burdens and at the same time fulfills our mandates as an NGB and as a member of FIRS. Louis Stout said that he had read my letter explaining this, after this discussion of specific USARS programs, their promotion and goals, he was inclined to consider establishing a joint card membership that would funnel money into sustaining the program. It became quickly clear to all that the continuation of USARS's NGB status and the maintenance of a strong international presence was important to the American inline hockey athletes and their parents. For these reasons, our inline hockey relationship continued to grow each year, while other rival inline hockey organizations were eroding. AAU President Stout said that he better understood the program and felt that our inline hockey accomplishments were not receiving the public recognition they deserve. He was told that while USARS appreciated the $40,000 that AAU was providing and acknowledged that the program this year could not have gone forward without it, the erosion of the USA dollar and the rising costs of travel and hotel stays, place a substantially increased burden on overseas travel, particularly when considering the necessary size of our inline hockey teams. $40,000 with an added $25,000 cash from sponsors is not nearly enough to carry out our NGB obligations and send four qualified teams to FIRS world championships. A current quick estimate is that it takes between $35,000 and $40,000 to austerely support only one team for international competition. USARS proposed the creation of a joint membership card that includes both AAU and USARS inline hockey. The AAU component would reflect their current pricing for insurance and other benefits, which could be applied by the athlete to other AAU sports, as is presently the case. USARS would have a $10 inline hockey membership applied to each card at point of sale, which would not include any form of USARS insurance, since more comprehensive coverage is provided through AAU. This arrangement would continue without interruption the AAU's current membership income and liabilities. In participating, USARS would not create for itself any additional costs or other liabilities it does not currently assume. This plan has the potential for raising $200,000 annually from a combined USARS membership arrangement, provided AAU inline hockey membership sales retain the same average from the past three years. This will become new USARS income for its inline hockey program not currently being achieved. The total cost of the joint AAU/USARS card would be $25 for youth and $37 for adult inline hockey players. The resulting USARS share would be remitted monthly and deposited into a special USARS Inline Hockey account used to fund national inline hockey team participation for Senior and Junior men and women in FIRS world championships. Careful budgeting could achieve a surplus of $40,000 to $60,000 each year which would accrue to USARS national office administrative overhead and with anticipated growth facilitate referee education and athlete training. The mechanics for this process are yet to be worked out. AND NOW WE MUST CONVINCE ANOTHER AAU PRESIDENT. This arrangement would place USARS in compliance with Title 9 policies as it relates to female athletes and would provide a tremendous promotional tool for the expansion of Junior memberships, a fully paid educational experience for qualifying young men and women to 6

8 represent the United States of America in international competition. This should be a tremendous draw toward the NGB programs that no other inline hockey group can offer. It has the added competitive advantage for us to be able to select the best talent throughout the USARS/AAU network to represent the USA in World Championships rather than being forced to solicit only those with the financial ability to pay their own expenses, regardless of skill. DO WE REALLY NEED THIS DEGREE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT? YES - USARS/AAU INLINE HOCKEY IS STILL SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS! A General Congress of IIHF took place in Tokyo in late September 2012 during which they made a change to their statutes as follows: "The IIHF may grant affiliate status to a governing body controlling in-line hockey in the country concerned if the IIHF Congress deems that the Member National Association is not in a good position to develop in-line hockey. Until now this possibility could only be executed by the Member National Association itself." Their new statute positions the IIHF in direct conflict with the recognized Roller Sport National and International Federations of FIRS. This newly created IIHF policy takes recognition of the fact that many of their most prominent ice hockey national federations (Canada, Sweden, Russia) have shown little or no interest in expanding their winter sport into the summer months or have been previously told by their National Olympic Committees (USA) that such misdeeds are outside of their Olympic mandates and belong to FIRS. This statute was created by the IIHF to be in direct conflict with the recognized Roller Sport National and International Federations of FIRS for the attention and participation of our inline hockey clubs and athletes that lay outside their current ice hockey mandate of the IOC. The IIHF is taking this extraordinary measure out of frustration for diminishing success with their raids on inline hockey over the past two decades and in order to hang on to their outlaw "IIHF World Inline Hockey Championships." This plan has been designed by the IIHF to detract from FIRS own progress around the world, as they now plot to seek out national representatives which are dissident former FIRS clubs, perhaps even set up a single club within the nations of FIRS, so as to confuse and distract skater and media attention away from FIRS legitimate activities. The International Olympic Committee requires that IFs have the responsibility and duty to manage and to monitor the everyday running of the world's various sports disciplines, including those on the Games program. The IFs must also supervise the development of athletes practicing these sports at every level. Each IF governs its sport at world level and ensures its promotion and development. They monitor the everyday administration of their sports and guarantee the regular organization of competitions as well as respect for the rules of fair play. With respect to inline hockey, the IIHF has done none of this and has only contributed confusion in the efforts of FIRS to perform these tasks. In so doing, the IIHF does irreparable harm to the mission of its recognized International Federation in violation of the Olympic Code of Ethics, justice and sportsmanship. Respectfully submitted for the USARS Inline Hockey Committee George Pickard Chairman October 5,

9 FIGURE SPORT COMMITTEE MINUTES- 5/23/12 F-1 (a) USA ROLLER SPORTS The meeting was called to order approximately 7:00 pm CST on Wednesday, May 23, Members present were David Adamy, Jessica Gaudy, Aubrey Orcutt and Jane Wojnarowsky. Absent from the call were Tony Berger, John Cawly and Jim Pollard. First item on the agenda was further discussion about new dances previously sent to the committee members to experiment with to determine if USARS should consider for future implementation in the competitive requirement structure. Motion 1: To the regional representatives four new dances for possible inclusion in the competitive requirement structure. The dances are: the Quickstep Boogie, the Association Waltz, the Metropolitan and the Luna Blues. The regional representatives shall then report back to the Figure Sport Committee at the national championship meeting. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Second item of discussion was regarding comments from the field of the Premier Gold figure requirements. The committee recommends the regional representatives consider the removal of Figure 3 A/B from the requirements in this event, with the addition of Figure 28 A/B. Motion 2: The list of USARS recommended Premier Gold Figure requirements to be sent to the regional representatives: Group 1 7A, 9B, 28A Group II 7B, 9A, 28B PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Third item on the agenda was the lay out plan for the USARS Traveling Seminars featuring American and International Solo Dance. The dates of the Traveling Seminars needed to be discussed due to the timing of other future figure skating events such as the 2012 World Championships and the America s Cup.

10 Motion 3: The proposed dates of the USARS Traveling Seminars: 1. November 3-4, 2012 (Odenton, MD depending on operator agreement to host on this date). 2. December 1-2, 2012 (Brookpark, OH). 3. February (Citrus Hts., CA). The Executive/Finance Committee to approve the above dates and locations. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 4: To ask John Viola to be the speaker of the USARS Traveling Seminar and Jessica Gaudy to be the demonstrator PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Fourth item was discussion of Junior and Senior World Team funding update from the April board meeting. No action until Finance Committee meets. Fifth item was a review of the updated B Judge s Commission test as recommended from the Judge s Committee. Corrections of typos and test question clarification will be sent to the Judge s Committee for their review. The updated B Commission test will be implemented for any candidate taking this commission upgrade during the 2012 National Figure Championships. Sixth order of business was discussion over Aubrey s Interview Questions of former World Figure Team medalists. Aubrey had suggested an Athlete Training Program Flyer, which will still be the ultimate goal. For the present time, Aubrey will put together an article with motivational information from her panel members (David Jacques, Logan Boggs, Billy Crowder, Candice Heiden, Julie Locke, Tony Peck, Sarah Baldwin) for an article to be included in the summer issue of the Skate magazine. This article should be motivating for ALL DICSIPLINE athletes as they prepare for world competition, or any competition. Seventh order of business was over the inclusion of Freshman/Sophomore C Team Dance at the regional level in The regions may determine if they wish to include this division event at their 2013 regional championships with any of their other regional promotional events. It will be the regions determination of the requirements for the Freshman/Sophomore C Team Dance event. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY The meeting adjourned approximately at 8:00 pm CST.

11 USA ROLLER SPORTS F-1 (b) Figure Sport Committee Conference Call Minutes August 22, 23 and 29, 2012 The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 pm CST on Wednesday, August 22, Thursday, August 23 and Wednesday August 29, Members present for all calls Jim Pollard, John Cawly, David Adamy, Jessica Gaudy, Tony Berger and Jane Wojnarowsky, USARS Figure Director. Aubrey Orcutt was absent. Guests: Danny Brown and Gloria Manning. Day one (8/22) of the conference was completely devoted to the Figure and Dance Requirements. Jane thanked John Heffner, USARS Coach (NJ001A) for his assistance in the adult division requirement suggestions. Motion 1: Juvenile C Figures to be equivalent to the Elementary C Figures PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 2: Juvenile C Loops to be equivalent to the Elementary C Loops PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 3: Addition of figure 22A/B replacing 26A/B in Group II PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 4: Fresh/Soph B Figure event to flip-flop figures 7A/B & 8 A/B in the Groups PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 5: Remove Figure 3A/B and replace Figure 27 A/B in the Premier Gold Figure events PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 6: Remove the word Circle from Primary and all B Loop division events PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 7: Add the Freshman/Sophomore C Team Dance with stipulation that the event itself will not be touched for two years to allow numbers to develop in the field. Requirements for Freshman/Sophomore C Team division event to be equivalent to Fresh/Soph C Solo Dance requirements. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

12 Motion 8: Figure Sport Committee agrees with the listed Figure and Dance Requirements. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 9: Addition to the 2013 Figure Rule Book. To clarify Free Skating Requirement rules, Interruptions during a Dance and Figure contest by request of the Judges Committee. John Cawly put together the following: AR FREE SKATING DIVISIONS (a) Skaters who have skated in a higher division and HAVE placed 1, 2, or 3 at the National Championships CANNOT return to a lower event. (b) Separate competitions are scheduled for male and female contestants; however division and age qualifications are not always identical. Each division has specific element requirements to follow. (c) See AR Free Skating/Pairs requirements & AR for age requirements of all divisions. (d) For Footwork sequence, see requirements (AR ) for current skating season. (e) Content infractions (any deviation to the free skating requirements per event) will be penalized (.5) per infraction, on the Technical Merit score ( A Mark) by the judges. (See AR.08.24) (f) Inline free skaters may enter both quad and inline events in the same skating season. (g) Degree of Difficulty is the level of skill needed to perform an item well relative to other items of the same kind. Obviously, for most skaters, some items in free skating are generally harder or take longer to master than others. Consequently, it is the intent of this section to offer some frame of reference concerning the skill level necessary to perform these basic items. (h) Excessive repetition of the same item, without showing a variety of skating versatility must be given less credit in both Content of Program (Technical Merit) and Manner of Performance (Artistic Impression). No jump may be attempted more than three times in any USARS Standard division singles routines, with the exception of single rotation connecting jumps used in combinations. Exceeding this limitation will be penalized by a minimum deduction of 10 points by each judge. In a combination jump, each jump is individually counted for purposes of this rule. (ARFS-G 1-2, p. 69) PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 10: Figure Rule AR (c): Once a medal placement (1, 2 or 3) and a qualifying score for the World Championships are is obtained in a National SENIOR WORLD CLASS DANCE event, that skater will no longer be able to compete in the Level (A) FRESHMAN or SOPHOMORE TEAM DANCE. or JUNIOR TEAM DANCE in subsequent seasons. Upon reaching the age of thirty-five (35), National Championship medal winners may move to the Classic Team Dance Division or the Junior Team Dance Division. APPROVED- 4; DENIED-1 PASSED Motions all revolved around and micro managed Figure Rule AR PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Before all Motions 11-16, AR read as:

13 AR ROLLER FIGURE SKATING DIVISIONS AND MOVE-UP RULES Any amateur who has never placed 1st -2nd -3rd in USARS Level (A) events in the National Championship in the event involved (e.g. - figures, dance, etc.) is eligible to compete in the USARS Level (B) and/or Level (C) divisions. Any amateur who has reached the maximum age in a Level (A) event without placing in the National Championship in Level (A) or Level (B) events has the option to move up to the next higher division and continue to compete in the Level (B), as well as the Level (A) events. (e.g. - Juvenile (A), move to Elementary (B) & (A) events). (a) Skaters may remain in Level (C) until they place at the National Championship when there are six (6) or more contestants, after which they must move to the Level (B) or to the Level (A) division in that event. (b) Skaters may remain in Level (B) until they place at the National Championship when there are six (6) or more contestants, after which they must move to the Level (A) division in that event. (c) In the Men and Women Free Skating, NOVICE LEVEL (B) skaters who have placed at the National Championship have the option to advance to the SOPHOMORE DIVISION or remain in the NOVICE LEVEL (B) FREE SKATING DIVISION. (d) Skaters that participate in (A) or (B) DIVISIONS that do not have a level (C) event and have NOT PLACED at a National Championship event, may advance to the next higher (B) or (C) event. (e) Skaters that participate in Level (A) Divisions that do NOT place at a National Championship event may advance to the next higher (A) or (B) event. (f) Skaters who participate in Level (B) division events, and place at the National Championships may advance to the next higher (A) or (B) divisional event when mandated by age. (g) Any skater or team placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the National Championships in an event that has five (5) or fewer contestants shall have the option to remain in that division, or to move to the next higher division. This rule does not apply to divisions that have a maximum age limit. Placing in an event with five (5) or fewer contestants has no effect on future eligibility. This exception does not apply to World Class events. (h) At a Regional Championship, cross-over (A) and (B) skaters that place 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th may skate both division events to qualify for the National Championships. Placements of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the National Championships with six (6) or more skaters/teams will eliminate future participation in Level (B) events in that discipline. (i) At a Regional Championship, cross-over (B) and (C) skaters that place 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th may skate both division events to qualify for the National Championships. Placements of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the National Championships with six (6) or more skaters/teams will eliminate future participation in Level (C) events in that discipline. (j) Skaters CANNOT skate Level (C) and Level (A) divisional events in the same qualifying Regional Championship. The updated AR Rules are: AR ROLLER FIGURE SKATING DIVISIONS AND MOVE-UP RULES Any skater/team who has never placed 1st -2nd -3rd in USARS events in the National Championship in the event involved (e.g. - figures, dance, etc.) is eligible to compete in the USARS Level (B) and/or Level (C) divisions. Any skater/team who has reached the maximum age in a Level (A) event without placing in the National Championship in Level (A) or Level (B) events has the option to move up to the next higher division and continue to compete in the Level (B), as well as the Level (A) events. (e.g. - Juvenile (A), move to Elementary (B) & (A) events). (a) All Level C division events will compete as Regional Championships Only. (b) Skaters/Teams may remain in Level (B) until they place at the National Championships when there are six (6) or more contestants, after which the skaters/teams must move to the Level (A) division in that event in subsequent skating seasons. In Level (B) events of five or fewer contestants, ONLY the

14 skaters/teams who have placed 1 st at the National Championships will be mandated to move to Level (A) in subsequent skating seasons. (c) In the Men and Women Free Skating, NOVICE skaters who have placed at the National Championships have the option to advance to the SOPHOMORE DIVISION or remain in the NOVICE FREE SKATING DIVISION. (d) Skaters/teams that participate in Level (A) Divisions that do NOT place at a National Championship event may advance to the next higher (A) or (B) event. (e) Any skater or team placing 2nd, or 3rd at the National Championships in an event that has five (5) or fewer contestants/teams shall have the option to remain in that division, or to move to the next higher division. This rule does not apply to divisions that have a maximum age limit. Placing in an event with five (5) or fewer contestants/teams has no effect on future eligibility. This exception does not apply to World Class events. (f) At a Regional Championship, cross-over (A) and (B) skaters/teams may skate both division events to qualify for the National Championships. Placements of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the National Championships with six (6) or more skaters/teams will eliminate future participation in Level (B) in those events. (g) Skaters CANNOT skate Level (C) and Level (A) divisional events in the same qualifying Regional Championship. Level (C) division skaters may challenge the Level (B) division event of the same skating discipline during the same qualifying championships. Motion 17: Clarification of one revolution jumps in Solo Free Dance. For addition to 2013 Figure Rule Book: only one revolution jumps will be counted as Jumps in Solo Free Dance. This means that any other jumps of half revolution or less will not be considered as Jumps but as part of the technical element of a program and will be considered as such by the Judges. There is no penalty for half revolution jumps included in a program. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Motion 18: Interruptions during a Dance and Figure contest by request of the Judges Committee. John Cawly put together the following: AR (a) Interruptions Due to Skater s Fault ALL DANCE EVENTS - The team or solo skater will pick up the dance by use of a rolling start and continue to skate until judging of the flight is completed. They may start into the dance at any point, and not necessarily prior to the point of interruption. This rule also pertains to division events that compete in a TWO (2) skater/team flighting. (Please Refer to AR (h) & (i)) which says: During the skating of the flight, the skater/team beginning the dance (as specified by the announcer at the discretion of the event referee) shall have the right of way. Subsequent skaters/teams in that flight shall yield the right of way to skaters already in motion. Interruptions of skating based on failure to comply will result in a penalty of five (5) points for the offending skater/team. Such penalty will be assessed by the judge. 1. In such instances, the involved skaters shall loop around and pick up the skating of the dance as close as possible to the point of interruption without interfering with the other skaters again and

15 complete their normal repetitions of the dance being skated. The judges shall complete the judging of the skater/team interrupted without penalty. 2. The event referee will determine whether the correct number of repetitions have been completed by both skaters/teams in the flight, and will instruct the judges of incomplete repetitions. If, in the determination of the Chief Referee, the skater/team is in violation of these rules to gain competitive advantage, the Chief Referee will direct the tabulators to take a five (5) point deduction from each judge s score. The Chief Referee may consult the event referee and event judge s in making this determination. (b) Each dance contains a sequence of prescribed steps to be skated in each repetition of the dance. The execution of these steps must be given proper consideration in determining a score for the dance. Interruptions in skating that are not covered by the broken skate rule must be considered in assigning any mark. In assigning a mark the following rules apply: 1. Sequences of steps that involve one repetition omitted or completed with incorrect steps will result in a deduction of minimum 10 points to a maximum of 20 points, depending on the length and severity of the omission or incorrect steps done. For example, if a skater completed one entire dance sequence using incorrect steps, a deduction of 20 points would be appropriate. If only one-half of the sequence was done with incorrect steps, then a deduction of 10 points would be appropriate. 2. If the error continues in all scored repetitions, the skater s score will be further reduced according to the same formulation. 3. If a skater or team restarts the dance and then completes the dance correctly, the deductions as described in (a.) above will apply to the portions of the dance done incorrectly before the restart. 4. Any dance that completes the correct number of repetitions will earn at least a MINIMUM score, as defined in the integer system as a completed dance (i.e. 20 or higher.) For example, if a skater does all scored repetitions of the wrong dance, a score of 20 would be warranted. It is the responsibility of the judges to take the above deductions, yet the referee has the responsibility to advise the judges of infractions. If a Referee has missed the error and a Judge/s has noticed, the Judge should advise the Referee of this. The Referee then should advise the other panelists of such infractions. The referee is responsible to begin the flight with the proper skaters and rotations. Should the wrong skater begin the flight, the referee will stop the flight and restart the flight. The skater is responsible to begin the dance according to the rules established for opening steps as described in the dance diagram and to complete the required number of repetitions of each dance. (c) SENIOR WORLD CLASS and JUNIOR WORLD CLASS (Compulsories) - The team or solo skater will pick up the dance at the nearest technically feasible point prior to the interruption and complete the required repetitions. (d) If a skater or team does not report to the referee and leaves the floor for any reason, the skater or team shall be disqualified, unless the judging has been completed. AR17.19 INTERRUPTION OF A FIGURE AR A skater who slips, drops a foot, or falls on the initial strike-off may elect to restart once without penalty provided the skater s decision to re-start is made during the first one-third of the first circle of the figure. AR In a case where, for any reason, the skater through his own fault, falls, drops a foot, or stops a figure, the referee shall instruct him to restart at a point just prior to the interruption. This distance shall be left to the discretion of the referee. Such factors must be given due consideration in determining the score while still giving full consideration to the other judging points of the figure. The major faults of figure skating and their corresponding point deductions include: A) PUTTING THE FREE FOOT ON THE FLOOR WILL CAUSE THE ASSIGNED SCORE TO BE REDUCED A MINIMUM OF 10 POINTS. B) FALLING ON A FIGURE WILL RESULT IN THE ASSIGNED SCORE BEING REDUCED A MINIMUM OF 20 POINTS.

16 C) UNWARRANTED ROCK-OVERS OR CHANGES OF EDGE, PRODUCING AN INCORRECT TURN, SHALL BE PENALIZED ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF THE ERROR. D) AN INCORRECT TURN, A THREE TURN INSTEAD OF A BRACKET, OR A ROCKER INSTEAD OF A COUNTER, WILL BE ASSIGNED A SCORE REDUCTION OF A MINIMUM OF 20 POINTS. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REFEREE TO INFORM THE JUDGES OF THESE MAJOR FAULTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INVOLVED SKATER HAS FINISHED THE FIGURE. ESTABLISHING A PURE EDGE, EVEN ONE THAT IS NOT ON THE LINE, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF TRACING. TRACING, EVEN THOUGH ON THE LINE, WHICH IS AFFECTED AT THE EXPENSE OF EDGE QUALITY (SKATE WOBBLE), SHALL BE PENALIZED. THE MOMENTUM OF THE FIGURE IS EVALUATED BY THE CONSISTENCY OF EDGE AND SPEED. (ARFG-D-18, PP 36-37) AR In cases of outside interference when the skater does not stop, the referee may allow the skater to finish the figure and then give him the option of re-skating or letting the figure stand. The skater will also have the option without further warm-up to re-skate immediately after the interference, or after the last skater of that figure, then take his or her normal place in the order of skating. If the skater chooses to re-skate, the referee shall instruct the judges to ignore the prior figure skated and judge the re-skated figure anew without penalty. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY The FS Committee discussed the s from Leroy Hicks and Alan McNamee in regard to splitting the Novice Free Skating event into two separate aged adult divisions. The committee did not feel the numbers in the Men and Women Novice Free Skating events could support two separate age divisions at this time. Meeting adjourned approximately at 10:30pm CST on August 22 nd. Meeting adjourned approximately at 10:00pm CST on August 23 rd. Meeting adjourned approximately at 8:30pm on August 29 th.

17 USA ROLLER SPORTS Figure Sport Committee Wednesday, October 24, 2012 The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00pm Wednesday, October 24, Members present were Jim Pollard, John Cawly, David Adamy, Tony Berger, Jessica Gaudy Aubrey Orcutt and Jane Wojnarowsky. The first item on the agenda was to review the proposed RSA Test requirements as submitted by Pat Jacques. Motion 1: Tabled While the Figure Sports Committee (FSC) supports the promotion and integration of the RSA achievement tests into the USARS competitive structure, the FSC has several major concerns with the current proposal. During our discussion, the following concerns were discussed and require clarification or further action before the FSC is capable of reviewing and approving the proposed achievement test framework. 1) Since there are fiscal and financial considerations that are not germane to this committee, we feel that without the scrutiny of the finance committee and subsequent approval of a tenable contract, any effort to review and possibly revise the achievement test requirements is premature. 2) Before any revision can take place, we need to examine the composition of the joint committee members. It is our position that in the development of this achievement test requirement integration as a qualifier for competition within USARS that there be two USARS representatives on the joint committee, and one of these should be an active athlete. Further, the committee representatives should be from within the technical committee (FSC). 3) Presently there exists a problem with verifiability of extant or previously taken achievement tests. As part of our commitment to maintain rules that are standard across the country and fair to all competitors, we see serious flaws within the current structure without the assurance that ALL achievement tests taken can be easily verified by the USARS regional meet directors. Without timely reporting of completed achievement tests and a system in place that allows for verification, any formulation adopted is meaningless. The second item on the agenda was to review the five (5) proposal items from Ed Harney and Bruce Muench. The National Meet Director & Chief Referee would like to suggest the following rules changes.

18 1. Change Classic Team & Solo Dance events from skating 3 minutes with 30 second rest to repetitions. Reasons: A. Classic Dance events are skated during the Adult portion & should follow the same procedures. B. It would make scheduling simpler C. From a referee, announcing & judging perspective it would eliminate having to make a mental change up. (reverting back to the way youth events are run) D. Give the Championships consistency Motion 2: DENIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COMMITTEE 2. Change Premier Gold Team & Solo Dance events from skating 2 minutes with a 1 minute rest to repetitions. Reasons; Same as those listed in number 1 above Motion 3: DENIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COMMITTEE 3. Change Domestic Loops events from choice of circles to the procedure currently being used for Circle Loops. Reasons; A. Would save a lot of time B. Make scheduling so much easier C. Would require 1 less steward to help with running the events (From 3 people 1 referee & 2 stewards to 2 people - 1 referee & 1 steward) Motion 4: PASSED UNANIMOUSLY - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY 4. Make domestic Junior & Senior Solo Dance events Final Only & just skate 3 dances. A. Because of the high degree of difficulty & caliber of dances (Training, time & costs involved) B. Given the number of skaters that enter these events these changes would make it easier to schedule & run them. C. By doing this it would make the events more like World Class which is where we are trying to lead our skaters to. Motion 5: DENIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COMMITTEE 5. Make Novice Free Skating events Final Only. A. The numbers in Novice Men s & Women s singles are generally right on the edge making them a final to begin with. B. When we ve polled the skaters at Nationals as to would you like to skate the event as a final there has always been a unanimous YES vote. C. Considering the skaters safety it s much better to have them skate once rather than twice! Motion 6: APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY The third item on the agenda was further discussion on splitting the Novice Free Skating event into age levels. After a long discussion it was felt we should first consult the field utilizing a Survey Monkey with questions about the Novice Free Skating division. This will be put into place with the current 2013 members in the new season. The meeting adjourned approximately 9:00pm.

19 AGENDA F-2 (a) Rink Hockey Conference Call Saturday, May 19, :00 p.m., EDT Participating in the Call were: Bill Sisson, Jim Trussell, Barb Brooks, Tom Hughes, Frankie Lee, Don Allen and Jim Jost. 1. Treasurer s Foundation Report. Jim J. No change: $2, Jim is going to try to transfer this account to his geographical area. 2. Minutes from our March 3 rd Conference Call were posted on both P.J. s and USARS web site. We did not have a Conference Call in April. The April Conference Call was cancelled Nationals in Cumberland, MD, Saturday, July 7 th Friday, July 13 th a. Information packet Pat mailed out. Everyone has received their packets. b. Tryouts for the Ladies U.S. and World Teams at the end of Nationals and Saturday, July 14 th. Bill suggested that we end Nationals on Thursday night if possible and use all day Friday and Saturday Morning for training. [Update: Tryouts will be held at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13 th, the Team will be selected and training will continue until 3:00 p.m., thus allowing all participants to leave after 3:00 p.m. on Friday.] c. Scheduling our Annual Vern Benz Mixed Tournament Frankie Pat s Nationals Packet has flyer information about our Annual Vern Benz Club Mix Tournament. Please contact Frankie Lee, who will be coordinating it, as soon as possible so schedules can be made. d. Does any time need to be set aside for training for players interested in trying out for the Men s U.S. and World Teams and the Men s Sub-20 Teams? No. Jimmy feels that the majority of the team needs a break to rest and recoup funds. 1. Update on location of 2013 Nationals. Bill Alberquque, NM is still the location, only it will be scheduled one week later than usual. Bill will keep us advised. 2. Report from the April USARS Board Meeting. Bill No activity to report. 3. Report from RSA Convention No report since no one was able to attend.