2023 Snow Australia Para FUTURES 

Overview:  

The Snow Australia Para Futures is a Talent Identification (TID) initiative by Snow Australia with support from Paralympics Australia (PA) and Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA). The program seeks to provide opportunities for athletes with physical or visual impairments discover opportunities in the sports of Para Alpine, Para Snowboard and Para Nordic. 

Key Details:   

Dates 19th - 20th August 2023 

Location: Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre & Persher Resort

Cost: $0 (to eligible participating athletes) 

Eligibility: 

Snow Australia would like to welcomes and encourage participation from all Alpine, Snowboard , and Nordic athletes with a physical or visual impairment aged 12 and above. 

Places on for Snow Australia Para Futures are limited. Each registration will be reviewed and notified of approval prior to the camp.

Program aims:  

• Introduce developing Para athletes to Para sporting opportunities and elite sports people 
• Increase knowledge of the athlete pathway, selection criteria and the various opportunities and resources available to Australian Para snow sports athletes
• Engage National Team athletes and programs in pathway development initiatives 
• Encourage involvement in Snow Australia domestic ski/snowboard events 
• Bridge the gap between Interschools competition participation and involvement in seasonal Snow Australia Pathway Programs  
• National Classification opportunity for para- athletes new to para snowsports.

Snow Australia Para Futures Schedule:  

Full weekend schedule to be emailed to all participants in the week prior to the program

How to sign up:  

Click here and complete the application form. Applicants are encouraged to submit video footage to support their registration to thodges@snow.org.au 

Applicants interested in the National Classification opportunity will be required to download, complete and submit a Wintersport Classification Expression of Interest form along with supporting medical documentation as part of their registration (applicable to participants with a physical impairment). This should be sent via email to thodges@snow.org.au

Snow Australia Para FUTURES – Program Details 

Eligibility: 

Para Alpine, Para Snowboard, Para Nordic athletes with a physical or visual impairment aged 12 and above.   

This may include a variety of impairments including but not limited to visual impairments, paraplegic or wheel-chair users, amputees of any limb whether they are standing or using seated equipment, Cerebral Palsy and hemiplegia. This range of impairments is built around classifiable impairments under Paralympic winter sport.   

Criteria for participation includes, but is not limited to;  

• Having a National Provisional Classification or evidence to suggest participant will be eligible for Paralympic sport  

• Previous sport history in relevant sports such as skateboarding, water-skiing or surfing  

• Previous high performance sport experience (for talent transfer candidates)  

• Demonstration of required skills (through video or otherwise)  

• Age 12 and above  

High level technical ability is not a prerequisite, however, safety for the individual and group is always the priority with these activities so some basic proficiency and independence must be present in all participants.  Participants must be able to ski down a blue run independently or with the assistance of a guide for visually impaired athletes. They must be able to load and unload any lift system independently. 

Non - Eligible Athletes 

Athletes with cognitive, intellectual disabilities and those with hearing loss are not eligible.  This is because these impairments are not classifiable under Paralympic snow sport. These athletes are encourage instead to contact Disabled Winterport Australia and Special Olympics Australia and engage in their snow sport programs. 

Classification: 

National Classification will be provided as part of the program for athletes with a physical impairment. This will include on and off hill assessment. Athletes with a vision impairment will be required to arrange provisional or national classification in advance through the Paralympics Australia as outlined at:

https://www.paralympic.org.au/vi-request-for-classification/