----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Kaplenk
To: inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 7:25 PM
Subject: [inline-instruction] USFIFS, U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey
Inline Announcement


Announcement

For Immediate Release

The U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters, or USFIFS, has agreed
to adopt the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills program for the use
of training inline figure skating. The program will be modified to
suit the needs of the inline figure skater. U.S. Figure Skating has
agreed to let the U.S Federation of Inline Figure Skaters use their
Basic Skills program without charge and will provide help where
appropriate.

It is expected that the use of the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic
Skills program by the USFIFS will help to enhance the growth of
figure skating in general by providing more opportunities for
skaters to develop their skills and to provide opportunities to
skate in areas that currently have few figure skating opportunities
such as warm climates, areas with few rinks and so forth. It is
expected that the program will be easily adopted by coaches that are
already familiar with the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills
program. It will also provide opportunities for park districts to
expand their skating program by using a familiar program that is
already in use.

In a recent meeting between USA Hockey InLine officials and U.S.
Federation of Inline Figure Skaters officials it was agreed that the
program will help to supplement the current Learn to Play program.
This program will help to encourage further activity in inline
skating and helping to develop skating skills. This will complement
the current program between U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey.

U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters is currently evaluating
several locations to implement the first stage of the Basic Skills
Program. USFIFS is looking for coaches and volunteers willing to
help implement the Basic Skills program on inlines. For further
information contact info@...

About Inline Figure Skating

Many ice figure skating moves can be done on inline skates and
practically all advanced moves that are done on ice can be done on
specially-designed inline figure skates that use traditional figure
skating boots. Inline figure skates are used to train ice figure
skaters in many countries that have limited opportunities for ice
skating. Inline figure skates are used in many areas to mimic ice
programs. PIC skates were actually used in some of the filming of
the movie "Blades of Glory". In addition, inline figure skates
actually existed in the early 1800s and have been used to mimic ice
moves on stage

About USFIFS

The United States Federation of Inline Figure Skaters, or USFIFS, is
a brand-new organization dedicated to the advancement of inline
figure skating. Inline figure skating is currently competed
worldwide and is part of the roller skating Worlds. The USFIFS will
help to encourage the growth of the sport by developing programs,
providing information, holding competitions and creating additional
opportunities for skaters to learn and compete. USFIFS follows the
standards and rules of U.S. Figure Skating and the International
Skating Union, or ISU, but functions as an independent organization.
USFIFS will work with all skating and sports organizations wherever
possible. USFIFS has attracted interest from inline figure skaters
in countries as far apart as France, India, Iran and China. The
USFIFS website is usfifs.org "

Contact Information

For further information contact:
Joe Kaplenk, President
Email: joe@...
Phone: (708) 707-0992
Feel free to use the graphics on www.usfifs.org

This announcement was reviewed by U.S Federation of Inline Figure
Skaters, U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey Inline Officials





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