SAFSA-Creator

The South African Figure Skating Association (SAFSA) has added its voice to growing concern across the sports community following news that national federations will face major funding cuts and that it seems SASCOC itself will receive no government funding.

“This is deeply worrying,” says SAFSA President Christo Viljoen. “We all want to see South African athletes compete and win on the world stage. But that kind of success does not happen by chance. It starts with development, coaching, and real support at the grassroots level. For that, federations rely on stable funding.”

Viljoen says while SAFSA understands that budgets are tight, slashing support undermines the long-term goal of building winning teams and athletes across codes.

“Smaller sports especially cannot absorb these cuts without serious impact,” he says. “We are calling for a constructive conversation with government to find a way forward.”

He adds that SAFSA fully supports SASCOC’s efforts to engage urgently with the Minister of Sport. “We stand with all sporting codes in asking for fair and consistent investment. Without it, we risk losing a generation of young athletes.”

For most competitive figure skaters, a year without competition might seem like a setback. But for Cape Town student Mikhail Ajam, the past season has been a lesson in patience, perspective, andthe rarely spoken challenges of finding the right partner in ice dance.

At eight years old, Mikhail’s first experience on the ice came during a birthday party. He wanted to try hockey but was advised to learn to skate first. He joined the Junior Blades Figure Skating Club and quickly fell in love with the precision and discipline of figure skating. “There was something about the technique that just stuck with me,” he says.

From singles skating to synchro and eventually ice dance, his journey has never followed a straight line. “I was playing catch-up for years,” he reflects, pointing to struggles with his axel jump and a late start compared to many peers. “But when ice dance was introduced, something clicked. It became my discipline.”

His love for performance came early. “Matthew Samuels was my role model. His programs weren’t just technical but entertaining as well. That’s what I wanted my skating to be.”

While Mikhail went on to compete at the Junior Grand Prix and represent South Africa internationally, this past season brought a different kind of challenge: being partnerless.

“It’s not something people talk about often,” he says. “But finding the right partner in ice dance is incredibly difficult. You need physical compatibility such as height, strength, and stamina. However, you also need mental alignment, shared goals, communication, and trust. Chemistry matters. And you only really know if it’s there after hours on the ice together.”

It’s also become harder, Mikhail explains, with more female skaters opting for solo dance. “There’s this perception that boys get to choose. But that’s changing. With solo dance becoming more popular, and eventually being recognised at ISU level, girls don’t need to wait for a partner anymore. That means the pool is shrinking. For someone like me, it adds pressure to find the right fit and soon.”

Still, he remains hopeful and focused. “My biggest goal right now is to form a strong, compatible partnership. From there, I want to qualify for Nationals, return to the Grand Prix circuit, and ultimately compete at Worlds, Four Continents, and even the Olympics.”

Off the ice, Mikhail is equally thoughtful. Living with ADHD and General Anxiety Disorder, he’s learned to embrace what once made him feel different. “For a long time, I was scared people would judge me. But I realised I can’t hide who I am. Music helps me manage the noise in my head, and skating gives me purpose.”

He also jokes that he doesn’t really have a personal life: “While my friends are partying, I’m going to bed early. But it’s a choice. I do find time to see friends and family, but skating comes first.”

Looking ahead, his ambitions are clear but so is his sense of self. “Skating has taught me to be more adaptive, to train smarter, and to find the artist inside me. It’s more than a sport. It’s part of who I am.”

And his message to younger dancers still searching for the right partner?

“Don’t force it. If something feels off, trust your gut. You have to be able to rely on your partner, not just on the ice, but everywhere you go. Find someone who shares your vision and values. That connection is everything.”

For most competitive skaters, the journey begins not long after they can walk. But for Mathilda du Plessis, it started with a promise.

“I was a very stubborn child,” she laughs. “Even at birthday parties, I refused to skate. But I promised my best friend I’d try for her 11th birthday. From the moment I stepped on the ice, I fell in love. The freedom, the thrill, the wind in my hair, it became more than a sport. It became an obsession.”

Starting late in a sport, where most of the girls in her section started at ages between two and 7 years old, is no small challenge. But Mathilda defied every expectation with quiet determination, tireless work ethic, and deep faith.

“I was told I wouldn’t make it because I started too late,” she says. “But I knew with hard work, and by the grace of God, I could. I had to prove it to myself and others.”

And she did. With relentless training (up to six hours a day, five days a week) she climbed the competitive ladder, qualifying for Nationals in singles, ice dance, and synchro.

Coach Konrad Giering of Evolution on Ice has watched her journey unfold.

“Mathilda stands out not just as a skater, but as a person. She brings a calm, supportive energy to every session. She leads with quiet consistency and always uplifts those around her. Her journey proves that passion and persistence matter more than when you start.”

The road hasn’t been easy. In one defining moment, Mathilda qualified for High Performance by skating two clean programs back-to-back in a single test. This is something she once thought impossible.

“I had a complete meltdown before that test,” she recalls. “But the morning I stepped on the ice, I had this quiet peace. I just let the music carry me.”

Now a first-year psychology student, Mathilda has shifted her focus from singles skating to ice dance and synchro, disciplines she says feel less pressured and more expressive.

“I love the freedom of embodying different characters through music. And being part of a team, especially travelling overseas with Gauteng North’s synchro team, has been such a bonding experience. This year, I’m team captain and it’s teaching me so much about leadership.”

That leadership extends beyond the rink. As an athlete representative and TAP coach, she uplifts younger skaters with encouragement, focus, and positivity.

“I do my best to be a role model. I remind skaters that they’re competing against themselves. So, just focus on your own growth.”

She credits skating for shaping her off-ice life too.

“It’s taught me discipline, grit, and time management. My motto has always been: ‘Your attitude determines your altitude.’ I carry that with me into everything I do.”

Now giving back to the sport that shaped her, Mathilda finds joy in coaching.

“There’s nothing better than seeing a skater reach a goal they’ve worked so hard for. It’s a full-circle moment.”

Looking ahead, her goals are clear: passing her inter-gold and gold tests, qualifying for Nationals in her new Junior Ladies ice dance category, and staying involved in coaching long-term.

“I’m most proud that I never gave up. I hope my story shows other skaters that it’s never too late to start. If you’re willing to put in the work, anything is possible.”

After more than two decades representing South Africa at the highest levels of international figure skating, Neil Garrard is stepping down from the ISU circuit. This marks the close of one of the continent’s most distinguished judging careers, defined by technical excellence, integrity, and a deep commitment to the sport he has served since 1965.

“I am really sad,” says Neil Garrard. “I am going to miss all my friends and my skating family from all over the world.”

Neil Garrard’s own skating journey was cut short during the apartheid era when South Africa was sanctioned from international competition. But his passion for the sport never waned.

“Once skating is in the blood, it is hard to leave the sport,” he says.

As a judge, Garrard reached the pinnacle of his profession. Over the past 23 years, he has served as the only ISU-level judge on the African continent and remains the only South African to have judged at three ISU World Championships. His international judging résumé includes four Junior Grand Prix events, nine Junior World Championships, 14 Four Continents Championships, and three World Championships, with appointments across Europe, Asia, and North America.

“The highlight was definitely those three World Championships,” he says. “But there were so many incredible moments. I was lucky enough to judge some of the top skaters in the world.”

Behind the scenes, judging is both an art and a science.

“It is not as easy as people think. Judges award hundreds of marks per competition — 638 per judge when there are 50 skaters. So, accuracy, consistency, and fairness are essential. You have to come into every event without preconceived ideas, stay up to date with rule changes, and focus entirely on each performance.”

In total, Neil Garrard represented South Africa as a judge or referee in more than 50 international competitions, 14 Four Continents Championships, and nine Junior Grand Prix events. He completed judging appointments in Israel, Australia, the US, Canada, Iceland, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and many more. Furthermore, he attended several ISU congresses and numerous ISU seminars on various subjects to improve his knowledge of judging.

“Being an international judge is the best seat in the house. The travel is amazing, but it is also hard work. Judges attend seminars, do constant self-evaluation, and maintain their credentials through tests and local appointments. It takes years to get there, and you never stop learning.”

Neil Garrard is also passionate about mentoring future judges and uplifting the standard of judging in South Africa.

“Fairness, impartiality, and integrity are key. We need more judges who bring those values. And we must always support the skaters. Judging is not about putting them down; it is about helping them grow.”

Despite retiring from international events, Garrard will continue judging locally, although he notes the growing challenges of doing so.

“It is difficult. There is no reward, and there is constant criticism. People do not realise the time and effort involved. Judges take leave from work, sacrifice family time, and get no financial compensation.”

His commitment to skating development remains unwavering. Garrard was instrumental in introducing solo dance to South Africa and has long advocated for the adoption of the USFSA test structure, a system now formally adopted by SAFSA’s National Technical Committee.

“It took 25 years for the US to perfect that structure. Hopefully, we can benefit from their hard work and improve our basic skating skills to be internationally competitive.”

Looking back, he is proudest of the small, steady contributions he has made to judging, athlete development, and skating administration over the years.

“I have always tried to give honest feedback with my marks. Not every coach or parent sees it that way, but some do. And when they understand what we are trying to convey, it really helps the skater grow.”

His advice to new judges?

“Study. Watch videos. Do mock judging. Read the rules. Go to every seminar. It is a long road, but it is worth it.”

As for his legacy: “I was the only ISU judge in Africa for more than 20 years. I judged three World Championships. That’s something I am very proud of.”

And the sport he loves? “Figure skating is one of the toughest sports in the world. It demands physical ability, musicality, nutrition, off-ice training, and schooling. Discipline and commitment are the keys. And if I have helped any athlete or judge on their journey, then I have done my job.”

SAFSA thanks Neil Garrard for his decades of service, both internationally and at home, and for his unwavering commitment to fairness, excellence, and athlete development.

“On behalf of SAFSA, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Neil for his hard work, unwavering dedication, and the pride with which he has represented South Africa over a distinguished career at the ISU level. His contributions on the international stage have been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing to benefit from his expertise here at home, as we work together to develop and inspire the next generation of South African figure skaters,” says Christo Viljoen, President of SAFSA.

The 2025 Advanced Novice High-Performance National title was never a certainty for 15-year-old Tristané Schmulian. In fact, Nationals almost didn’t even happen at all.

Plagued by injuries for much of the season and forced to adjust training, routines, and expectations, Tristané entered Nationals with the resolve of someone who had fought just to make it to the competition.

“There’s an element of surprise in winning this title,” she admits. “This season was really tough. So, there’s definitely a huge feeling of gratefulness, especially for all the support I received from my family, coaches, the medical team, sport psychologist, friends, and fellow skaters. I feel fortunate because I know how hard every other skater also worked.”

That mix of humility and determination defines her skating journey. Winning the national title, she says, is an acknowledgement that if you keep pushing and don’t quit, anything is possible.

“I learned that I do have perseverance and determination. This title isn’t just mine. It belongs to everyone who supported me. I’m just the one who got to wear the medal,” she says.

Behind the scenes, it took a team effort to get her to the finish line. Since November 2023, injuries have disrupted her jump work and forced frequent changes to her training regimen.

“An injury is also not just physically hard, it takes a huge mental toll as well.”

Despite the setbacks, she delivered a performance at Nationals that showcased not only technical strength but also emotional maturity.

“I’m really proud of my short program. When I started my skating career, I used to skate with my head down, focusing only on the ice. Now I love performing. I also landed both of my double axels. After struggling with my jumps all season, that was a massive achievement for me.”

Off the ice, her schedule is just as intense. Most days begin before dawn with early morning practice, followed by school, hockey, revue rehearsals, and late-night study sessions.

“It’s a balancing act,” she says. “But I’ve learned valuable time management skills, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

There are moments of exhaustion, she admits, and days when it all feels a bit too much. But skating is her passion, and the drive to improve keeps her grounded. “I love this sport. Even though it’s demanding, it’s worth all the hard work.”

To unwind, she loves spending time in the kitchen (“I make flawless pancakes every time!”), shares laughs with her sisters or escapes into a Netflix series. “I’ve watched every episode of Friends multiple times. Joey is my ‘spirit animal’; I don’t share food either!”

Looking ahead, her goals remain ambitious. She’s focused on achieving the ISU international qualifying score in AdvancedNovice, and, when ready, hopes to move into Junior Ladies, once she’s nailed the required jump elements.

“I’ll follow my coach’s advice in this regard. I was unfortunately not able to work on triples this season due to injuries.”

What she is very sure of, is that she wants to stay in the sport for the long haul. She’s already begun shadowing to become a TAP coach and hopes to one day give back to the community that’s shaped her life.

“Skating has taught me to work hard, be resilient, humble, and confident. It’s part of who I am.”

And her message to other young skaters?

“Keep going. Even small steps move you forward. Believe in yourself. Listen to your coach! Work hard, on and off the ice. And never ever give up on your dream.”