Anne Marie Harrison awarded Service to Snowsports for 2024

Anne Marie Harrison has been recognised with the Service to Snowsports Award as part of the 2024 Snow Australia Community Sport Awards. 

CEO of the Victorian Institute of Sport for 18 years, Anne Marie’s work and dedication during this time has positively impacted the sport and its community. 

“I am surprised, humbled and appreciative,” Harrison said. 

“For Snow Australia to consider the contribution of an individual outside of their organisation and honour me in this way is truly gratifying.  

“It is always about the people; wonderful, resilient and talented athletes, supported by skilled and committed staff.”

Anne Marie has also been a great leader and supporter of the Aerial Skiing program, helping athletes to become the best competitors they can be.

“All athletes who have come through the Aerials program, whether they made it on to the World Cup circuit or not, have shown tenacity and a willingness to challenge themselves to be the best and for that they get my respect, admiration and thanks,” she said. 

“My passion for this began in the early period of my career in the late eighties/early nineties when I became aware of Kirstie Marshall and Geoff Lipshut with Team Buller.  

“It was wonderful to see Australians leading the world in a winter sport and I really respected their ambition and approach to being the best.”

Involved in the snowsport community for many years, Anne Marie is fortunate to have been a part of the growth and development of the sport in Australia.  

“I do feel I have been most fortunate to have been part of the era where Australian sport has led the way in so many areas,” Harrison said. 

“That is particularly evident now with high performance sport focussing on the holistic development of the athlete, which was something the VIS initiated when it was established in 1990 and has built on over subsequent years with its motto ‘success in sport and life’.  

“The commitment to and opportunities for Paralympic athletes which continue to emerge and have a focus has also been so important.

“Whilst the numbers in winter sport are still relatively small, working with and supporting role models such as James Millar, Mitch Gourlay and Jess Gallagher has shown what can be achieved.”

Reflecting on her outstanding career in snowsports, Anne Marie is most proud of her dedication to the Aerials program and her long-standing drive to support winter athletes.  

“I am proud of my commitment to the Aerials program at the VIS over a long period of time, whilst also offering support to other winter sport athletes,” she said. 

“Given the remote nature of the sport, the transition of athletes into the sport primarily from gymnastics and needing to learn to ski, and the requirement to develop sport specific experts who are willing to operate in the northern hemisphere for significant periods of time, is very challenging for everyone with high risk, high rewards, which makes it so exciting and nervewracking at the same time.  

“The VIS willingness to support the Geoff Henke water jump in Brisbane because it would provide a competitive advantage to Australian athletes, whilst presenting challenges from a staffing and support perspective is something I am proud of.”

Snow Australia would like to congratulate Anne Marie on receiving the Service to Snowsports Award in the 2024 Snow Australia Community Sport Awards, wishing her all the best in her future.