Brief History of ACTISA

  • Ice-skating in the ACT commenced over 30 years ago at a small rink called the Paradice Ice Rink, then located at the Canberra Showground (now known as Exhibition Park). The original centre was destroyed by fire. The Phillip Ice Rink was constructed in 1980 and opened in October of that year, with the official opening held in May 1981.
  • The first organisation to represent the sport of ice-skating in the ACT was the Paradice Skating Club, which was renamed Canberra Ice Skating Club (CISC) in 1981.
  • ACTISA was formed as the peak body for the sport in 1982 and was incorporated in 1983.
  • The amateur figure skating represented and administered by ACTISA includes singles, pairs, ice dance, synchronised, Theatre on Ice and recreational skaters.
  • The various clubs established under ACTISA no longer exist. As a result ACTISA has taken on the responsibility and roles of a club in a very demanding environment.

Highlights

1973 (approx) – small ice skating rink established at the Canberra Showground (now Exhibition Park in Canberra), moved to a larger pavilion within the showground and named the Paradice Ice Rink.

1980 – Phillip ice rink constructed, opened in October. Existing ice rink at showground destroyed by fire.

1981 – Official opening of Phillip ice rink. First organisation to represent figure skating in the ACT was the Paradice Skating Club (PSC). PSC renamed Canberra Ice Skating Club (CISC).

1982 – ACTISA named peak body for amateur figure skating in the ACT.

1983 – ACTISA incorporated with CISC as the affiliated ice skating club.

1983 – First figure skating team to represent ACT at the Australian National Championships being held in Mirrabooka, Perth. Team members: Nicholas Tsiros, Danielle Clark, Debbie McGee, Lindy Payne, Jacki Bird.

1984 – Inaugural Autumn Trophy competition. The first ACTISA-run technical competition that is open to interstate competitors. Always held in autumn and still a major competition on the ISA calendar

1987 – ACTISA is joint host of the Australian National Figure Skating Championships for the first time.

1988 – ACTISA is joint host of the Australian National Figure Skating Championships for the second time.

1989 – First ACT skater, Jacki Bird, to be selected in the Australian Team. Represented Australia at Winter Universade, Sofia, Bulgaria.

1989 – First ACT skater, Miriam Manzano, to become Australian National Champion (Intermediate ladies).

1991 – ACTISA hosts the full Australian National Championships for the first time.

1993 – First ACT Precision Skating (Synchronised) team, Knightmoves, to become Australian Champions (Junior level).

1994 – First ACT male skater, Craig Coghlan, to become Australian National Champion (Novice men).

1995 – ACTISA hosts the full Australian National Championships for the second time.

1999 – Inaugural Reg Park Artistic Trophy competition, which was established to honour ACT’s distinguished coach Reg Park, who has dedicated his life, since the early age of 11, to the endeavour of artistic performance on ice.

2001 – Inaugural Federation Cup (now known as National Federation Challenge), established to celebrate the centenary and provide a National competition for skaters not at Championship level.

2001-06 – Miriam Manzano is Australian National Senior Ladies Figure Skating Champion

2011 – Inaugural Gwen Peterson Theatre on Ice Trophy competition incorporated into the National Federation Challenge, in recognition of Gwen’s involvement in figure skating in Canberra, specifically as coach to the 1993 Australian Junior Champion Synchronised (Precision) Team, Knightmoves.

2011 – ACTISA President, Angelique Clyde-Smith awarded Trophylink Volunteer of the Year Award.

  • First ACT official to qualify for Senior National and International Figure Skating Competitions
  • Passed ISU Judging exam for Synchronised Skating, now qualified to judge at World Synchronized Skating Championships
  • One of only two officials in Australia qualified to judge internationally in Singles. Pair, Ice Dance and Synchronized Skating.
  • ACTISA Life Membership 1999.
  • Level 1 Ice Skating Coach 1992.
  • National Operational Director for Synchronized Skating for Ice Skating Australia (since 2006).
  • ACT Delegate to ISA since 1996

2012 – ACTISA Life Member, Coach Reg Park inducted into the ACTSports’ ActewAGL Sports Hall of Fame

2012 – Three ACTISA officials acknowledged at the ACT Government’s Sport and Recreation Services 2012 Thanks Awards; President, Angelique Clyde-Smith received Outstanding Contribution Volunteer Award; Vice President, Greg Ash and Event Convener, Nina Johnson both received Excellent Contribution Volunteer Awards.

2013 – Inaugural Manzano Aussie Skate Artistic Trophy, incorporated into the Reg Park Artistic Competition, in recognition to the Manzano family’s contribution to figure skating in the ACT.

2013 – ACTISA Life Member, skater Miriam Manzano, inducted into the ACTSports’ ActewAGL Sports Hall of Fame