2023 Service to Snowsport Award recipients announced

Snow Australia is pleased to announce Cliff Mason, David Frydman and Allan Marsland as the recipients of the Service to Snowsport Award in the 2023 Snow Australia Community Sport Awards. This award recognises individuals in the Snowsport community who have made a positive difference in the opportunities and experiences available to others over a long period of time. 

Cliff Mason has dedicated over 20 years to snowsports administration, having held numerous roles and positions within the National Alpine Committee including two terms as Chair from 1997-2001 and 2007-2008. 

Mason has been an integral figure within the sport, having received the Australian Sports Medal for service to snowsport in 2000 for his efforts. 

At an international level, Mason represented Australia on various alpine sub-committees of the
International Ski Federation attending 18 overseas FIS conferences and meetings.
 
“A highlight of my time as Alpine Chair responsible for the National Ski Team was to be present in the finish area of the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek when Zali Steggall won the Women’s Slalom Gold Medal, a first for Australian alpine athletes,” he said. 

“I have always loved skiing, particularly skiing with my family, children and then grandchildren. My time in snowsports administration has been a wonderful experience that has enriched my life and that of my family.

“I’d like to thank the Board bf Snow Australia for this wonderful recognition and particularly
thank past chairmen Hugh Whan and Dean Gosper, as well as Lachlan Clark, who took over
as NAC Chair, for their support over many years. Michael Kennedy and his staff were always
there when needed.”

David Frydman played a pioneering role in establishing freestyle skiing in Australia, founding the country’s most successful freestyle ski team at Mt Buller. 

Frydman held the position of Chair of the National Freestyle Committee through the mid 1990s and early 2000s. During this time he helped steer freestyle skiing into a prominent position, achieving significant success nationally and internationally, securing FIS World Cup victories, Olympic gold medals and numerous accolades.
 
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award, and skiing will always remain my profound passion,” said Frydman. “Australia's success in the global freestyle skiing arena fills me with immense pride.

“During my tenure as the Chair of Skiing Australia Freestyle, I collaborated closely with Skiing Australia, the OWIA and the AOC, and I am grateful for their partnership and support.”

Allan Marsland has been involved with cross country skiing at local, state, national and international levels since 1970, holding the position of Chair of the National Cross Country Committee from 1993 to 1996. 

Marsland was involved with Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, helping to navigate the establishment of the only Southern Hemisphere event in the Worldloppet series. Marsland was also the Race Director of Kangaroo Hoppet from 1991 for over ten years, now holding the role of Chair of the committee for the past decade. 

Marsland credits his ongoing commitment to the sport to his family and the Birkebeiner Club. 

“I would like to thank my family for putting up with all my ski-related activities for the last 40 odd years,” he said. 

“I would also like to thank all the great people in the Birkebeiner club and the wider cross country community who I have worked with over the decades. 

“Special mention to three people: Paul L’Huillier and Brian Keeble who were instrumental in putting together the Kangaroo Hoppet, and Helen L’Huillier who was the key Hoppet person off-snow as Race Secretary for 30 years.”