Aleisha Haslemore: Gore's synchro maiden 23 April 2005 Aleisha Haslemore coaching Ice Odyssey Juvenile Photo: NZ Skating News NZISA sportsperson of the year Aleisha Haslemore takes the juvenile synchro team through their new programme. The young skaters expertly transition through a sequence of moves under the watchful eye of their 17 year-old coach. Aleisha has been volunteer coaching the Ice Odyssey juvenile team for the past six months at Gore's Multisports Complex. The juvenile team's first appearance at Nationals was last year, when the young skaters took first place, unopposed. Most of the skaters on this year's juvenile team are new. High turnover in the young team has meant that many of the skills must be relearned. But Aleisha remains a positive driving force for the juvenile skaters -- her excitement for the sport is clearly visible while she coaches. Ice Odyssey Juvenile. Back row: Fallon Pullar, Carrie Lee, Aleisha Haslemore, Samantha Marr, Hamish Voigt. Front row: Xanthe Gutchlag, Aimee Clement, Lauren Gutchlag Photo: NZ Skating News On this day, Aleisha rushes to netball practice after coaching is complete -- on other days it will be tennis, basketball, rugby, kayaking, running or swimming. But the head girl at Gore High School won't be away from the ice for long. A few hours later, she'll return for the junior team practice because Aleisha is also captain of Gore's Ice Odyssey Junior synchro team. It's a role she's held since traveling to South Africa for a seminar in synchronised skating back in 2002. Ice Odyssey was formed that year and has taken first place at South Islands and New Zealand Nationals every year since. The team first competed in Australian Nationals in 2003, taking the bronze medal. On their return in 2004, they placed sixth. Ice Odyssey has since increased their practise times over the holidays, focusing directly on skating skills to increase the standard of skating. Ice Odyssey Junior. Back: Melanie Cruickshank, Sierra Dolamore, Aleisha Haslemore (Captain), Irena Zemanova (Coach), Rachel Burnby, Stephanie Voice, Grant Howie. Middle: Gena Hughes, Dana Stevens, Clair McGillian, Michaela Voigt, Kimberley Kubala. Front: Sheree Cowan, Abby Gentle, Amanda Glass, Melissa Morris Photo: NZ Skating News The team hopes to add a lot more creativity to their programmes and add in some tricky transitions too. Aleisha hopes "that each individual will arrive at competitions this year knowing that they are fully prepared as a team and have no doubt in each others' abilities or their own ability." She added, "I believe that self-belief and belief in your team mates is the key ingredient to a successful synchro team." Without a university nearby, some of the team's most experienced skaters must move away to continue their education, but this hasn't prevented Ice Odyssey from maintaining their undefeated record at Nationals. For this year's New Zealand and Australian Nationals, Aleisha says she "would like the team to prove their talent -- a place on the podium would be a fantastic achievement that I believe is within our reach. The most important thing," she adds, "is for us to skate at our absolute peak!"