Iroquois fire on ice

Page 22

Some work as full-time mothers. Others work in a bank. And there's even a councillor on board.

But a total of 20 people with a variety of jobs have joined forces and will make a bit of history.

The Six Nations Iroquois Traditions will become the first all-Native club to participate in a national synchronized skating meet.

The adult team will participate at the Canadian Festival Stream Championships, scheduled to run March 30 through April 1 in Regina. The festival stream is considered a step below the competitive stream.

This also marks the first year Skate Canada, the national governing body for all skating activities in the country, has staged a Canadian final for those in the festival stream.

The Iroquois Traditions qualified for the nationals by placing fourth out of 18 teams at the Ontario championships held Feb. 24 and 25 in Peterborough. The top six finishers at that meet earned berths into the nationals.

"That was my goal from the beginning of the season," said Ty Lickers, the coach of the Six Nations side.

The Iroquois Traditions are in their fifth year. Since there were no nationals to strive for before, the club only took part in invitational events in previous seasons.

This year's team consists of 20 skaters, including one male, Gene Jamieson, who has been with the club for three years.

In the festival stream's adult category, all team members must be at least 19 years old. Also, 75 per cent of the club's skaters have to be 25 or over.

The age range of those with the Iroquois Traditions is 19 to 40 years old.

Lickers said team members have yet to fully comprehend what they've accomplished.

"I think right now it hasn't sunk in yet," she said in mid-March. "But they're excited and a little nervous though. That's evident in their practice sessions."

A total of 18 adult squads will compete in Regina. Lickers likes her club's chances of earning a spot on the podium.

"I think they have a shot at it," she said. "Ontario is one of the strongest regions in Canada and I believe going into the nationals we have a good chance for a medal."

The club's chances for a top-3 finish in Regina have also been aided by the fact the Ontario champions from Gloucester will not be taking part. The Gloucester squad opted not to attend the nationals because of financial reasons. Both the silver and bronze medallists from Ontario will compete at nationals.

As for the long-term, Lickers is not sure whether the team will stay in the festival stream division.

"I think that will depend on the team," she said. "Going to the competitive stream involves a lot more training."

Currently, those on the team only train together for five hours per week. That's three hours of on-ice sessions and two hours devoted to activities such as aerobics and choreography.

Lickers isn't sure whether team members would be willing or able to make a commitment to the competitive ranks.

Lickers added her goal is to have a Six Nations competitive senior team some day. The senior level is for those skaters 12 and over, with no age maximum.

"We tried to start a youth team at the beginning of the year but we didn't have enough interest," Lickers admitted, adding only a handful of skaters were keen to start up a club. "But now that they've seen the success of the adult team they've become interested. Hopefully, next year we'll have a couple more teams from Six Nations."