The 2016 Sunshine State Games Broward Festival features Figure Skating and Rugby

May 10, 2016
CONTACT:
Nick Gandy, Florida Sports Foundation, ngandy@flasports.com or (850) 488-1422

The 2016 Sunshine State Games Broward Festival features Figure Skating and Rugby

TALLAHASSEE – More than 350 skaters will lace up their skates and 14 rugby teams will toss around the distinctly-shaped oval ball to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in a variety of skill levels at the 2016 Sunshine State Games Broward Festival beginning Friday, May 13.

The SSG Figure Skating Championships begin Friday morning and runs through Sunday, May 15 in Coral Springs, FL at the Panthers Ice Den. The age-level of registered figure skaters who will compete are from 4 to 80 years old. A highlight of the weekend will come when two skaters will be recognized as the top intermediate and juvenile division skaters

The Dorothy Dodson Award for Figure Skating Excellence will be presented at the end of the competition to the skater with the highest combined score in the Intermediate Ladies Free Skating and Short Program event. Last year’s winner for the Dorothy Dodson Award, named after veteran Figure Skating Judge, Dorothy Dodson, was Paxton James, from Estero, FL, who is also registered for the 2016 SSG Figure Skating Championships. Upon her success, James went on to compete in the 2016 South Atlantic Regional Championships where she won the Ladies Intermediate Skating division.

The Elizabeth “Betty” Stark award will recognize the Juvenile skater the highest score in the Juvenile Girls Free Skate. The 2016 Championships mark Stark’s 30th anniversary as the SSG Figure Skating Sports Director. This will be the second year that this award will be presented.

As in many Sunshine State Games events, there will be a wide age range in this year’s Figure Skating Championships. While youngest competitor Olivia Weiss, 4, from Parkland, FL will be celebrating her birthday Friday, May 13th as she competes in the basic program event, 80-year-old husband and wife, Beverly and Jack Rienks from Englewood, FL will be competing in the Adult Couples Dance.

The 2016 SSG Rugby Championships features 14 teams in three divisions, Boy’s High School and Men’s and Women’s Open.  All rugby competition will be held Saturday at Brian Piccolo Park with matches beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The SSG Figure Skating Championships at the Panthers IceDen is free and open to the public during the more than 24 hours of events. Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs at the Panthers IceDen, visitwww.sunshinestategames.com and click on the Volunteer tab.

The Sunshine State Games high season will continue for seven out of the eight next weekends until June 26, 2016. There are a total of 10,000 athletes that are registered for this year’s state games. 28 sports are being offered and competitions will take place in 10 Florida communities. SSG held the Dominos Championship in February and the Artistic Roller Skating in March. Results of these two competitions are posted atwww.sunshinestategames.com.

2016 SSG Figure Skating Schedule

Panthers IceDen, Coral Springs

Friday, May 13, 20169:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m. (Stadium and Mezzanine Rinks in use)

Saturday, May 14, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Stadium and Mezzanine Rinks in use)

Sunday, May 15, 2016 –  9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Stadium Rink only)

2016 SSG Rugby Championships Schedule

Brian Piccolo Park, Fort Lauderdale

Saturday, May 14, 2016 – 10:30 a.m.6:00 p.m.

The Sunshine State Games are an annual Olympic-style Sports Festival, presented by the Florida Sports Foundation, for Florida amateur athletes of all ages. The 2016 Broward County Festival is being held in conjunction with Broward County Sports Development. For more information about the 2016 Sunshine State Games you can visit www.sunshinestategames.com.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top