History

The Australian Professional Skaters' Association (NSW branch) was formed at its inaugural meeting on June 4th, 1968 at Burwood Glaciarium Ice Rink. Those who attended the first meeting were: Gloria Aiken (Pracey), Bill Black, Judy Bosler, Barbara Clarke, Helen Devereaux, Bob Jones, Gretchen Malitz (Doolan), Ray Paterson, David Price, Nita Solomon and David Worral. 

 The first office bearers were:
    President: Bill Black.
    Secretary: Nita Solomon
    Treasurer: David Price

 Four of the founding members are still serving APSA, Judy Bosler, Barbara Clarke, Doug Clarke and Gloria Pracey. Our inaugural president, Bill Black was still active in the capacity of vice president until his death in March 1998. 

 The original objectives of the association were:
a) To protect and further the interests of Professional Ice Skaters.
b) To provide a means of communicating and negotiating with Rink Managements, Amateur and Professional Associations, as a united body.
c) To improve the standard of coaching and the standard of amateur skating.

 The original association was NSW, Victorian coaches formed their own association later and for some years were not interested in becoming a national body. However at a meeting held in Melbourne during the Olympic Trophy week of competition in May 1979, APSA (National) was formed with the two (new to ice skating) states of Queensland and South Australia making it truly more national. 

 In the early years APSA, when competitors were available, ran professional championships and there were some very well contested events, but sadly this has become an activity which is not viable. 

With the financial and practical assistance of NISAA (now ISA Inc), the first Level I coach accreditation course was conducted in Brisbane by Valerie Merrick (Bartlett) with 25 coaches participating. Since then courses have been conducted in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide by APSA (Australian coaches presenting the course) and all coaches in Australia have at least Level I Accreditation.

 APSA also handles the insurance for all members who require this coverage and has arranged for coaches using the harness coaching aid to have full insurance cover. 

 Over the years APSA has held reunions, inviting skaters from former times, which have been held either in conjunction with our Professional Championships or as our Christmas Party. Many skaters from over the years have attended and enjoyed the get together. 

 As it was when the association was formed, our main goal is to improve the standard of coaching, and to this end we try to organise seminars/workshops whenever possible, even to the extent of bringing Anne Schelter from Canada to Australia twice conduct her "Annie's Edges" Seminars for coaches and skaters in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. 

 Another of the aims which is still the same is to foster a good working relationship with the amateur associations of each state, the national body (ISA Inc), judges and the officials who serve them. We feel that this has been achieved in the past few years. 

 Gloria Pracey