A synchronized skating team in Massachusetts is gradually making a name for itself. Fans may recognize the squad's coordinated team warm-ups at competitions, including their bright sneakers.

However, most people aren't familiar with how Boston Fusion burst onto the synchronized skating scene. They are, in fact, the product of two of Boston area's most renowned programs: Colonials and Team Excel.

Boston Fusion is heading into their fourth season, with one national medal on their résumé.  They secured the silver medal in the juvenile division at the 2025 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships.

An entertaining and memorable "Mighty Ducks"-themed-performance earned the team notoriety and its historic podium finish.

Their early success is the result of a shared vision between the two clubs and their coaches and directors, Amanda Werner and Kristin Curran. Together, they have fielded juvenile and novice teams under the Boston Fusion name for three seasons.

Werner is the director of synchronized skating for Colonials and Curran is the director of synchronized skating at Team Excel.

Outside of Boston Fusion, Werner and Curran's teams compete against each other with their respective Aspire, preliminary, open juvenile, adult, masters, open adult and open masters teams.

So how did the collaboration to create Boston Fusion unfold?

At the end of the 2022–23 season, Team Excel juvenile faced a major transition.

 "We had a juvenile team for several seasons; however, a majority of our team was aging off," Curran said.

That same year, just a few miles down the road, the Colonials preliminary team was coming off a milestone campaign. They had won the 2023 Eastern Synchronized Skating Championships.

 "We had a strong team that season but looking into the next — half of my skaters were ready for juvenile, and the other half would be able to continue making strides on preliminary," Werner said.

Werner and Curran decided to join forces to provide their skaters with opportunities and competitive growth.

Colonials and Team Excel are neighbors; however, Colonials hadn't had a juvenile team for several years. After a couple of brainstorming sessions, the organizations decided a cross-town collaboration of skaters from both of their respective preliminary teams could provide a competitive opportunity in the juvenile division.

That collaboration planted the seed for Boston Fusion.

Werner and Curran are former teammates from eastern Massachusetts, who represented Team USA with the Colonials junior team in 2004. Their objective for Boston Fusion: create a pathway to success for the next generation of athletes.

"Everything we do is equitable, our approach, the clubs we represent," Curran said.

The 50/50 approach has been a commitment between the two organizations. Boston Fusion juvenile represents the Colonial Figure Skating Club while Boston Fusion novice represents The Skating Club of Boston.

Both clubs are the respective home rinks of both teams (Colonials/Colonial FSC and Team Excel/The Skating Club of Boston).

"This is not a merger, it's a collaboration," Werner said. "It's allowed for us to give skaters who are ready for that next step an opportunity without taking skaters from other levels."

The collaboration has also strengthened both organizations, allowing each to grow while maintaining opportunities across all levels. Team placement remains skill-based, allowing skaters to compete at the level that is right for their development rather than being moved up to a higher division before they are ready.

The partnership has strengthened both organizations at every level. Team Excel's preliminary team, for example, has won the Eastern Sectional Championships for three straight seasons.

At competitions, skaters from both clubs and their joint teams support one another as one family.

"To just see all of the skaters whether they are on Team Excel, the Colonials or Fusion cheer each other on is so special," Curran said. "We sit together, support each other; we are stronger together."

With much change coming to the synchronized skating world this season, including the recent inclusion to the 2030 Olympic Winter Games, Werner and Curran are committed to training all their athletes for the future of synchronized skating.

"We're excited from a novice perspective," Curran said. "Their program is a different and interesting concept. The juvenile team is also preparing for competition with many returning faces from last year.

"In terms of juvenile, we aged off a lot of skaters after our 'Mighty Ducks' season and we have been able to retain a solid number after this last season," Werner said.

The retention rate over the last four seasons has been much higher across the board for Boston Fusion, with the new opportunities available. The message behind the collaboration is clear: "It's all about the athletes," Curran said. 

The Colonials have grown their organization to nearly 125 athletes, while Team Excel has reached 200 athletes.

Boston Fusion is represented by 40 athletes ranging in ages 11 to 19 years old. Athletes proudly wear the club crest on their team apparel and jackets at regional, sectional and national championships.

This Boston synchronized skating collaboration is one of the first of its kind on the East Coast. Werner and Curran's advice to other organizations wishing to create a similar opportunity: "Make sure you are creating this with trust. That is the most important piece, and in the interest of your athletes," Werner said.

This collaboration is a community effort, the coaches added, strengthened by the coaches, athletes, families and club communities who support the idea and help bring it to life.