Synchronized skating’s popularity has grown significantly over the past decade and now athletes of the discipline have their own scholarship fund. The Synchronized Skating Athlete Support Fund was established by an anonymous family of donors with the goal of helping U.S. synchronized skaters to reach their goals on the World stage.
This historic fund will help take synchronized skating to the next level by supporting the training costs for two junior and senior World eligible teams. In addition, the DREAM Scholarship has been created to support developmental skaters each season through a video essay contest.
The importance of developing young synchronized skaters is paramount within this fund.
“It’s incredibly impactful for our sport and the athletes to know that they can find support through this fund,” said Katey Nyquist, a member of the Haydenettes. “My teammates and I dream of being world champions and having synchro grow big enough to eventually be in the Olympics.”
The Synchronized Skating Athlete Support Fund will create funding to offset training expenses and provide new equipment and any additional programming that can help attain podium status at the World Championships.
While U.S. Figure Skating as an organization will distribute more than $750,000 through financial aid this year, most scholarships are not open to synchronized skaters.
“On behalf of U.S. Figure Skating and the synchronized skating discipline, I would like to thank our generous donors for recognizing this need and creating a first of its kind fund specific to synchronized skaters, said Leslie Graham, Senior Director of Synchronized Skating and Skating Programs. “It is our hope that this fund will elevate teams and skaters to reach the top of the podium on the World stage, while creating even more opportunities for our developing skaters within the discipline.”
The Synchronized Skating Athlete Support Fund will disburse funds yearly. U.S. Figure Skating will work to grow the allotment each year. Every donation is 100 percent tax deductible and all funds will help synchronized skaters.
The DREAM scholarship will open in June and run through the summer. Synchronized skaters can submit a one-minute video answering a question about their experience in the sport. Two winners will receive a $500 scholarship to help offset competitive expenses.
