​​Information about our Teams and Organization

Organization

• Wisconsin Inspire Synchronized Skating is governed by the Wisconsin Inspire Cooperative Board of Directors and its bylaws. 
• We are a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
• A committee of volunteer parents manage the daily operations of our teams. 
• Skaters come from many different organizations to skate together on Wisconsin Inspire teams. Some could include: Madison Ice Diamonds, Wisconsin Figure Skating Club, University of Wisconsin-Madison FSC, Waupun Figure Skating Club, Kettle Moraine FSC, Individual USFS members, Southern Wisconsin Figure Skating Club, SwanSyncSation, Ice Sparklers, Elite Skating Academy
• Private High School and Post High School opportunities to skate with Inspire: 
  • Wayland Academy
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Madison College
  • Edgewood College
  • Moraine Park Technical College

Team Levels

• ​​Wisconsin Inspire will field QUALYFING level teams (juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, collegiate) depending on the levels of skaters rostered. These teams would be designed for highly committed skaters who want a competitive synchro experience.
• Wisconsin Inspire will field FOUNDATION level teams (preliminary, pre-juvenile, open juvenile) depending on the levels of skaters rostered. These teams would be designed for committed skaters who want to develop their synchro and teamwork skills.​
• We are looking forward to fielding Collegiate & Junior level teams for our 2023-24 season!
• LEARN-TO-SKATE level synchro skaters should join a developmental synchro program first near their home rink. We recommend one of our member programs that benefit from the cooperative's efforts and resources: Madison Ice Diamonds, SwanSyncSation, Ice Sparklers.
• The Wisconsin Inspire Co-Op, with its member programs also offers many training and training groups each season for additional developmental opportunities.

Team Practices

• Our teams attend team practices 1-3 days per week depending on level. We practice from June - early March. 
• We practice at a variety of rinks depending on the demographics of the team and available ice time/prices: Beaver Dam Family Center, Madison Ice Arena, Hartmeyer Ice Arena, McFarland Ice Arena, Nagawaukee Ice Arena, Mullett Ice Arena. 
• Team practices include off ice choreography, power house conditioning, pilates training, ballet, zumba.
• Our entire practice calendar is included with team offer letters. 

Individual Skating Requirements

• Our skaters are required to skate on their own outside of team practices to continue passing tests (moves, dance, freestyle) and developing their skating skills. Skaters may skate at the rink/club of their choosing to meet these requirements. 
• Our skaters are given weekly sync-homework to help them review and progress between practices. Skaters are encouraged to work on these skills with their private coaches and off ice trainers. 
• Specific requirements vary by team level and time of year. 

Tentative Competitions

• WisconSync! Invitational Competition - October @ Kettle Moraine Ice Center ​
• Kalamazoo Kick-Off - November @ Kalamazoo, MI​
• Dr Porter Classic - early December @ Ann Arbor, MI
• Synchro Illinois - January  @ Evanston, IL
• Midwestern Sectional Championships - Late Jan @ Kalamazoo, MI
• Swan Synchro Skate - February @  Beaver Dam, WI
• US National Championships (for teams that qualify) - Late Feb @ Colorado Springs, CO

Fees
We work very hard to keep our costs low, yet still provide the tools and resources for our skaters to be competitive and successful. Our sync dues include as many fees as possible to avoid additional costs emerging throughout the season. 

• ​Items generally included in sync dues: coaching fees, coaching travel expenses, monitoring session, critiques, choreography, Wisconsin Inspire Seminar, Off ice conditioning as scheduled with the team (power house, pilates, yoga, etc), administrative fees, competition registration fees and practice ice, competition costume, team t-shirt, team jacket, hair/makeup supplies, skate tape, skater travel fees, a few skater meals at competitions, skater progress meetings. Included costs will vary per season. 
• Items generally not included in sync dues: required individual ice time/lessons/classes, individual club/USFS memberships, individual travel expenses (hotel, food, parent travel). Costs that are not Included will vary per season. 
• A detailed dues contract is included with team offer letters. 

Estimated Dues:​

• Preliminary/Pre-Juvenile: $1,800-$2,400 
• Juvenile: $2,000.00 - $2,600.00 
• Open Juvenile - $1,900.00 - $2,500.00 
• Intermediate/Novice: $2,500-$3,000 
• Junior -$4,800 - $6,800

Sportsmanship

• We hold our athletes and parents to a very high standard of sportsmanship and respect. 
• We value teamwork, collaboration, and communication. 
• Our athletes are expected to be positive role models for the younger, developing skaters in our state. 
• We work with our athletes and parents to continue developing strong character skills as well as strong skating skills. 

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Handbook 

• Our Handbook is updated annually and details information about attendance, skill commitments, behavior commitments and defines other applicable information and terminology. 
• Skaters and parents are asked to sign a commitment contract each season agreeing to adhere to our policies and standards. 

Offer Letters 
After tryouts, skaters/parents will receive an email with a possible offer to join an Inspire team for the season. This email will include: 

• The draft practice, competition, exhibition calendar for the entire year.
• An updated Handbook.  
• Estimated fees and a fee contract outlining payment due dates, what is included in the dues and what is not. 
• A commitment contract outlining the skaters and parents behavior and other commitments for the season. 
• Skaters/parents will be asked to accept/decline their offer within 1-7 days. Detailed instructions about how to accept your offer will be included in your offer email.