Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2019 Conferred to the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club
2019/10/2
Mr. John Telvin, President of the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, representes the club in
accepting the Foreign Minister’s Commendation from Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito.
On Sept. 18, a Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2019 was presented to the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club at a special ceremony in the main lounge of the Club’s facilities. Since the 1960s, this Club has been welcoming Japanese figure skaters for short and long term training programs, as well as helping with choreography and dispatching coaches to Japan, thereby contributing greatly toward raising the quality of Japanese figure skating. The Club has also promoted grassroots exchange between Japan and Canada through providing homestays for visiting skaters and other forms of friendship exchanges. This Commendation was conferred in recognition of such contributions toward strengthening mutual understanding and goodwill between Japan and Canada.
The certificate of the Commendation is displayed alongside photos of individuals who promoted exchange
between Japanese figure skaters and the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, such as: Mr. Yutaka
Higuchi, a celebrated Japanese figure skater (centre photo): his then coach, Mr. Sheldon Galbraith
(photo on the left) : and the Club’s current coach, Mr. Brian Orser (photo on the right).
Gifted items that reflect the long history of exchange between Japanese and Canadian skaters.
A photo of His Imperial Highness the late Prince Mikasa, who came to the Club and enjoyed ice dancing in the 1980s.
Ms. Joyce Hisey (right), who gave opening remarks, and Dr. David McGillvray (lef), who knew Mr. Yutaka
Higuchi, the Japanese figure skater who came to the Club at the start of its exchange with Japan.
Mrs. Tracy Wilson who currently coaches Japanese skaters at the club gives remarks.
Consul-General Ito gives an overview of the Club’s accomplishments as well as congratulatory remarks.
Sparkling sake from Fukushima was used for the toast.
Guests enjoy sake while reminiscing about Japan.
Mr. Ghislain Briand, a current coach at the Club (left) along with Mr. Shin Amano (right),
who once received instruction at the Club.
Consul-General Ito with young Japanese skaters who are currently traning at the Club.