The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Christine Moores, Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Figure Skating Association, leads the largest Newfoundland continent to the Canadian Figure Skating Association Annual Convention and General Meeting being held in Halifax, May 23-25, 1996.

Thirty-five delegates and observers (including nine board members) from all parts of the island (Stephenville, Corner Brook, Lewisporte, Conception Bay North, St.John's, Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South) and two from Labrador City will leave Newfoundland Thursday on route to the annual meeting.

Registration opens noon on Thursday for the 1996 meeting entitled "Making Connections". Diane Jones Konihowski, vice president of the Canadian Olympic Association and three time olympian in the sport of track and field - Pentathlon will address how "Making Connections" has worked for her in a career where networking is a key ingredient to success.

A special presentation on the New Skating Skills Program will be the feature of the three day convention. This new program which has been devised by the association as a replacement for school figures, is anticipated to be accepted by the general membership at the business meeting on Saturday, May 25. If it receives the nod from the membership, the new program will be phased in over the next couple of years commencing in 1996-97 skating season. The last figures skated in Worlds were in the 1990 Championships which were hosted by Halifax. School Figures were eliminated from competition at the world level by the international skating union are now being eliminated from the CFSA test system.

Delegates and observers will have 13 workshops on the "Making Connections" theme from which to choose during the convention. Choices include ways to utilize computers in the record keeping of a club, how to run a successful clubs utilizing strong administrative skills, how to make the most efficient use of ice in integration os CFSA recreational and competitive programs, how to connect with sponsors, volunteers and coaches.

Contact: Judy Mugford (709)781-2036

052796                             3:25 .p.m                /jpp