Local Youth Receives Regional Skater of the Year Award
At only 11 years old, Huntingdon’s Nelleke Nieuwenhof has been honoured with the title of Regional Skate Canada Star 4’s Skater of the Year award.
Nelleke, who skates for the CPA Beauharnois, was also the youngest nominee from the region (which represents nine clubs). The award was given on Saturday, March 25th at the Patinage Sud-Ouest regional award gala in Ile-Perrot.
The local skater, who also serves as the vice-president of the Huntingdon 4-H club, had an exceptional year, finishing second at both Valleyfield and Chateauguay competitions, ending the year with her claim of the gold medal at both the regional Jeux du Québec finals in Ste-Martine and the Vaudreuil Invitational. Given her dedication (Nieuwenhof practices seven hours a week in Beauharnois) it is no surprise that the young skater has been recognized for her skill. Under proud coach Chantal Barrette of Ste-Barbe, Nieuwenhof has mastered her axel over the last year—one of the hardest jumps in the figure skating arena. She is currently working on her doubles.
Nieuwenhof began skating at age four at the urge of her family and friends, who wanted her to play hockey. Instead, she fell in love with skating costumes, propelling her into the world of figure skating—although she does change things up come summer, taking the rugby field with the Ormstown Saracens.