In Zhytomyr there is a huge number of clubs and sports sections for children and adults, there are those who have won various competitions and tournaments, and there are just fans of their work, which invest their strength and ability so that Zhytomyr people fell in love with one of the most difficult but such spectacular sports – figure skating. After the master class on a skating rink, we talked to Kseniya and Irina Ustymovych, who for ten years developed figure skating in Zhytomyr. And in both of these real winners!
Iryna Ustymovych
“Figure skating in Zhytomyr began to emerge in 2007. When the ice rink was opened at the shopping center “Plaza”, I was invited to work there as an instructor. Then a skating rink was opened at the entertainment center FOC, then in the “Global”. For some time there were formed groups of children who wanted to do figure skating, and in “Global” we were given the best conditions for development: it was possible to conduct classes with children, and as a coach, I was given the opportunity to go free on ice, also helped to create the first public organization. In 2012, the NGO “Zhytomyr Regional Federation of Figure Skating Skating” appeared, which was later changed. And now it is NGO “Figure skating of Zhytomyr”
“Since childhood figure skating was my passion. I did not tear myself away from the TV, I watched all the Olympic games, all competitions, and figure skating was once my most cherished dream. Skates were given to me, and my grandfather, who was a skilled athlete, taught me to ride. Of course, once in Zhytomyr there was not such a nice skating rink as it is now. And always wanted! Although there was no opportunity to study professionally, I have always dreamed of such an ideal ice that is now. Honestly, I did not think that my dream would still come true. And now I know for sure: it’s never too late to start!”
“In 2006 I was operated. The doctors somehow did not care, and I was given a medical card to my hands, from which I learned about my onco-diagnosis. I read, closed the card and went to buy my skates. I’ve bought them and still skate “(Smiles)
“When there were three skating rinks working in the city, figure skating began to develop rapidly. But then everything gradually began to close: in February 2014 – a skating rink in “Plaza”, then FOC, and then a skating rink in “Global” was closed in the summer. By that time, we already worked with trainers from Kyiv, joined the choreographer, parents were interested – really began development, and here it is. And the problems started”
“I’m not a professional skater. My task is to give basic skills, put on skates. As one professional trainer told me: “No one will take a child without your base.” Put on ice, strengthen attachment, love for figure skating at a child – this is also a coaching job. My pupils took first place in all-Ukrainian competitions among amateurs, we participated in amateur competitions in Poland, Belarus, where prize-winning places were held there, although we do not have amateurs and conditions for the development of professional sports in Zhytomyr. To prepare professional athletes, ice is needed throughout the year, an arena of standard size, hours of classes in the school schedule for preparation. There must be twice a day on ice training, choreography, general and special physical training. In Ukraine, sports training is given in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa. Our contribution is that we tighten up the children, make them healthy, and who feels the inspiration to take up professionally, deals with trainers in Kiev”
“Every year we make New Year’s performances for children and parents, in which children show their successes. In 2012, we have participated in the New Year program for about 100 children, with whom we have provided basic skills in figure skating”
“The children engaged in are mostly small, sometimes it is difficult: from morning to evening on skates. The back is hurting, the legs are buzzing, but it is extremely pleasant fatigue, and I agree to be so tired – it would be only de! Especially since we have an abundance of capable children, and every year skating is “young”. It was previously thought that five years old are small children, and now they come in three and a half years, and they can work with them”
“It’s extremely enjoyable for children to work – they are sincere. I generally had to sit at home with my diagnosis, but I never had it. I have no time to complain or to ill: it is necessary to draw up plans of competitions, train children. My work is inspiring! “(Smiling)
“Now we have a “closed circle”, and we can not cooperate with the sports federation of figure skating, because we have amateur sports. There are no classes at a sports school, because there is no skating rink throughout the year. There is no skating rink, because there is no sports school. Therefore, we cooperate with coaches – masters of sports, former or current athletes. They come to us by arrangement, in private, to take care of groups of children. And this gives impetus to the development of figure skating in Zhytomyr”
Kseniia Ustymovych
“It’s easy to work with my mother, we’re on her level (Laughs). We even complement each other: the mother takes small children, and I already teach them on. I graduated from the Rivne State Humanitarian University, specializing in Ballroom Choreography, as a professional choreographer. She skate on her own for 12 years, but after graduation she became interested in figure skating on a professional level, began to train with the Kiev trainers. The choreographic base is extremely helpful, especially if you train and train in parallel”
“I also took part in competitions, although I have more experience in demonstrative performances. Last year I took part in amateur competitions – took first place. But to develop when there is no ice is very difficult ”
“In figure skating, it’s easier to develop single skating, unlike dancing, and putting a group number is even more difficult. A lot of factors are affected, and this is not only a different level of preparation or quality of ice cover. Last year we first took part in competitions with a group number in Kyiv, and this was two months after the merger of ice, when there was not, actually, what to cook! We went several times to train in Kyiv and Vinnytsia to support ourselves in the form and for the first time took part in competitions with a group number”
“Every year we prepare New Year’s performances, and in the past we made a festival devoted to the decade of figure skating in Zhytomyr. Recently, December 24, 2017, made a big two-hour concert “The Kingdom of Christmas Tree”. It was spectacular and bright!”
“You do not even imagine what our children have!” They have an extremely strong desire to develop. They do not have the ability to practice when the coating is merged, so in the summer they themselves are looking for opportunities to do their own, and then show success in the new season. And despite the lack of conditions, every year the level of training increases. It is clear that in the period when there is a possibility of training, we try to work with the maximum load, in order to make it as much as possible. And that is why we simply have no time to prove that having a good ice and skating rink throughout Zhytomyr throughout the whole year is a necessity. And the petition was written on the website of the city council, and the deputies turned to help. The answer: “We will consider ways to solve”
“The development of professional sports is good, but it is very important to develop mass sports. I want to create groups for children and adults who want to take care of themselves for their health. We planned to make a theater on ice, hold mass sports competitions for students, hold master classes, show performances, but it is very difficult to work after the closing of the season when there is no training conditions. Therefore, we decided not to waste time in the middle-season period – to conduct classes on roller blades”
“In Ukraine, artistic roller skating is rapidly developing – figure skating on roller skates. Although this sport is not yet included in the Olympic Games, it is extremely popular, especially in warmer countries. If you look from afar, then even the difference between the skates and the roller frame is not noticeable: the blade turns off, and in his place a boot frame with wheels inside is attached to the boot. We recently participated in the grant program of mayor Serhii Sukhomlyn for the project “Figure skating school on roller blades” and won the funds for which they bought the first inventory – three pairs of roller blades. Each pair costs 240 euros, we even made our money to buy three pairs. Of course, this is not enough for the city. But we do not stop training: there is already one full program for the performance of one athlete, we are preparing a friend. And we are waiting for the competition in Kyiv in February ”
“We began to conduct master classes for Zhytomyr citizens so that they could feel the same as we do: the love to figure skating. Of course, not all people will become professional skaters, but they can become healthy and strong. We strive to develop our own city so that everyone in Zhytomyr can find what he is looking for – for work, and learning, for pleasure and inspiration!”
Translated by Aliona Matushevich
