TWIN CITY SYNERGY FINAL REPORT to TCFSA

                                                            By Twin City Synergy Board  (June '04)

 It is with sadness that we report the demise of Twin City Synergy.  Is this an experiment that failed?  Yes and no. 

 Four years ago, after TCFSA’s success in hosting the first ever 2000 World Synchronized Skating Championships, a task force was formed to study the feasibility of forming a senior team in Minnesota consisting of skaters from all over the metro area. 

The task force was made up of delegates from the TCFSA member clubs.  Surveys were sent to member clubs, skaters, and to other successful senior synchronized teams.  Based on the responses, the task force voted unanimously to recommend that TCFSA proceed with formation of the team.   TCFSA’s goals were to (1) field a  team from Minnesota that could be competitive at the increasingly difficult senior level; (2) keep the high test skater involved after high school; (3) obtain recognition for Minnesota at the national level of synchronized skating; (4) promote and improve the interest and quality of synchronized skating in Minnesota and (5) ultimately, bring a synchronized skating team to the University of Minnesota. 

 Despite very difficult odds, Twin City Synergy did meet most of those goals.  In its first year it legitimately qualified for nationals where it finished 10^th.  In its second year the team finished third at the Midwest Regional Championships and ninth at nationals.  The ninth place finish is not indicative of the incredible progress of the team in the past year.  The difference between the ninth and tenth place finishers was far greater than the difference between sixth and ninth.   Based on comments from judges and USFSA officials, Synergy had made an extremely positive impression and all Minnesota teams benefited by having a competitive team in the senior division.  TCFSA and Synergy sponsored several exhibitions and clinics for other synchronized skating teams in the area that were very well received.  Without a doubt the quality of synchronized skating has improved in Minnesota.  In addition, skating on the University campus gave the team a visibility to the general public that was not otherwise available.

 So why no team in the future?  Quite frankly, a lack of qualified skaters.  One reason for that is the financial commitment.  It is expensive to field any synchronized team but, even more so in the senior division where the level of training required increases dramatically.  A second reason is the time commitment.  Most of the skaters on the team are seniors in high school or are in college.  Again the level of training is intense.  Despite the financial and time commitments, the Synergy skaters on the team for the last two years all agreed it was well worth it for the skating experience of a lifetime—competing at U.S. Nationals in the Senior Division. 

 The third reason and, from the perspective of the Synergy Board the most damaging, was the lack of promotion of the team by the TCFSA member clubs.  A TCFSA sponsored team needs a feeder system.  Despite a unanimous vote by the task force and no objections at any TCFSA meetings during the planning stages, it became very  clear that some local teams and skating professionals were not behind TCFSA’s effort.  In its first year the Synergy board was forced to spend time responding to grievances filed with the USFSA (determined to be totally unfounded) and verbal attacks on board members at USFSA functions (due to misinformation.)  Skaters who joined Synergy were ostracized by their clubs even though they had no plans to skate or were not eligible to skate on a synchro team at their home club.  This was most unfortunate and was the number one factor leading to the demise of the team. 

 What can we learn from this?  TCFSA is an association consisting of 17 member clubs.  Every member of those 17 clubs is a member of TCFSA.  Synergy was not formed overnight without thought or discussion.  The task force meetings were discussed and reported at TCFSA monthly meetings.  As a club member, be sure your delegate attends these meetings and reports at your board meetings.  If you have a concern or objection, share it with your delegate and be sure your thoughts are voiced before the decision is made.  One of the most vocal clubs against Synergy had four delegates on the 12 member task force.  As mentioned above, the recommendation to proceed was unanimous.  Once your association makes a decision, it behooves all to cooperate whether or not they agree with it. 

 The only goal that Synergy did not meet was to bring a team to the University of Minnesota.  But all hope is not lost.  There are a core group of skaters from Synergy who attend the University.  There are also skaters from other areas who are attending the University and expressed an interest in the team but were unable to do so because of time and financial commitments.  A group of these skaters are attempting to form a synchronized skating club at the University and compete in the Collegiate Introductory level.  As a University club sport and competing at that level, the cost per skater would be greatly reduced.  While TCFSA cannot offer any financial support, members of the Synergy Board have agreed to offer whatever advice and resources they can to assist the skaters in forming the team.  If anyone is interested in skating with the team please send an e-mail to tcfsa@usfamily.net and your information will be forwarded to the skaters. 

 In closing, the Board would like to thank the Synergy skaters and coaches.  Special congratulations go to Mariah Jeske from the Maplewood FSC who will be skating on the Team Elan Senior Team next year, to Rachel Funk  from the Roseville FSC who will skate on the University of Miami Varsity team, and to Holly Frei from Maplewood FSC who will be skating on the University of Michigan Varsity team.  The Synergy skaters and coaches surpassed all of our expectations for the success of the team in its first two years.  As a Board we enjoyed working with them and watching the team grow tremendously in such a short time.  We thank them for their dedication and the awesome experience of watching them get to Nationals.