Alpine athletes benefit from SSA education programs
Published Fri 20 Jul 2018
The Alpine season has got off to a strong start with Ski and Snowboard Australia (SSA) delivering seven developmental programs in the last two months with more than 440 participants taking part.
The National Skills Assessments were held across Perisher Winter Sports Club, Thredbo Ski Racing Club, Thredbo Mountain Academy, Mt Buller Race Club, Falls Creek Race Club and Mountain Hotham.
The assessments focused on long-term development and provided all athletes, their coaches and clubs with valuable data to enable athletes to make improvements during the season and the entire continuum of their athletic journey.
Across twelve days of education, more than 364 competitors from U10 club athletes through to FIS level were assessed on their strengths as well as opportunities for improvement.
In addition to the National Skills Assessment, a Physical Literacy Clinic was held at Jindabyne Sport and Recreation centre hosted 89 athletes and their coach’s for the New South Wales based Physical Literacy Clinic.
The athletes ranged from U12’s right through to the FIS level learning proper techniques for agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, power, reaction time, speed, strength, and endurance.
Ski and Snowboard Australia’s Alpine Director Mick Branch says both programs have provided important opportunities to a range of athletes.
“Both the programs that Ski and Snowboard Australia have developed play an important role in long-term athletic development,” said Branch.
“It also provides education to athletes across important developmental areas such as physical, psychological and cognitive requirements which all contribute to peak performance.
“We have been very pleased with the number of athletes that have taken part in the programs to date. To have so many athletes and their coaches, at different points along the athlete pathway, keen to be involved, is a testament to the programs,” he said.
It’s not too late for athletes to take part in the program. For more information on the National Skills Assessments or to find out where the next Physical Literacy Clinic is please click on one of the following links.