Thanks very much, Laura! We almost missed their competing, because as we were driving to the venue (took almost 1 1/2 hours to get there!), an accident had happened on the highway, where we were just about to exit. I had to drop Beverley off at one of the gates to the John Labatt Arena, and then had to try to find parking! After practically "running" for 1 block from the parking lot to the box office, I then had to wait in line ... only to have to show ID for the tickets that were being held. Then, running into the arena, I was looking for the gate number, ran into what I thought was the entrance ... but it turned out to be the entrance to the washroom ... then ran out again into the next entry way and ... came right to the side of the judging panel area. Just setting up on the ice were Andrew & Alice. I scanned around the arena to try to find Beverley and saw her in the top tier, but couldnt' get to her. Needless to say, we were both relieved that we didn't miss their performance.
We can appreciate the challenge to get ice dancers out to competitions. Their training schedules are so intense -- they get up so early in the morning before school starts to practice, off to school, then after school for more training and/or practice; as well as on weekends where if they aren't practising, being coached, they're competing, or travelling to see other coaches, or working on new choreography. We really do admire the discipline it takes to compete at the national or international level in competitive Skating. Of course, whether it's Skating or Dancing, we all share a common passion to be the best that we can be.
Laura, one thing that might help is to invite a high profile Ice Dancing team (e.g., if they are top ranked in the country or in their area, and have been covered a lot by the media) to the event as a guest of honour, and to present trophies. One organizer we know did this and it really made the evening.
Another suggestion is to contact their coaches (and/or their parents) directly and perhaps invite them and their teams out, probably the championship level events (especially Youth, Juniors) where there could be the most impact and best impression, especially if it is their first time! Again, this can be difficult especially when so much of the coaches' time may also be spent on training their teams, so they really have to see the value of attending if they are to take their time away from their coaching and training.
It may take some time, but even if only a handful come out the first time, hopefully their positive experience will help spread through word-of-mouth to the other skaters! It probably won't happen overnight, unfortunately, but even by letting them know consistently over time about upcoming events would at least help increase awareness in the long-term.
(BTW, for Skating fans, Jeffrey Buttle won his first national title in Men's Figure Skating! Of course, no one is counting Emanuel out at the World Championships, especially with the Quad which unfortunately wasn't there for him last night.)
