The past weeks have been an unprecedented time for all of us. The threat is common, but the impact varies at every level for each community, family and individual.

Given sport's social and, at times, intimate settings we will feel the full impact of the restrictions which are changing rapidly.

As I reflect on the past two weeks, I am immensely proud of our organisation, our partners and our Snowsport community which has rallied and responded.  Our movements and decisions are guided by our sport’s Medical Officer, the Wintersport medical network and of course government and WHO protocols. 

Financial Response

Having sat in on many conference calls with other sports, as the industry tries to work out how to navigate this period with such uncertainty, it is clear that Snow Australia is about as well placed as any sport in the country to navigate its way through this period (from an organizational perspective). This is due in part to:

• Timing – We have time to make calm and balanced decisions and plan ahead.  Our winter season is still several months away. 
• Financial Health – Prudent financial management and a low risk business model has generated reserves and a diverse revenue stream which has put us in a position to ensure our organisation remains viable and can, to some extent, adapt to and minimise the substantial financial impacts.
• Unified Structure – Being a single organization, dealing with this issue as one entity for the whole of sport enables us to be nimble and communicate with a single voice to our community.

Operational Response

Operationally, our immediate priority is the wellbeing of our staff in terms of both health and security of tenure.  We have moved to remote operations for the foreseeable future, and certainly until restrictions are lifted and it is safe and responsible to return to a normal work environment.

We have put a hold on all major discretionary expenditure until we can determine what the next six months looks like. At the same time, we are evaluating plans to redirect and increase resources for certain key activities which we feel will be critical to guiding the community through these difficult times. 

Events Outlook

Sadly, but not surprisingly, some of our community events such as the Snow Australia Awards, Discipline conference and the annual H3 athlete/coach summit have had to be cancelled. We are working through the calendar in an orderly way but at this stage we are electing not to publish any updated event calendars until we are clear on any changes to resort operations. 

Industry Response

As Snow Australia CEO, I am involved in regular updates/briefings for the sport sector (Sport Australia/AIS/AOC), the industry (resorts, wholesale/retail etc), Schools (via Interschool committees) and our insurance providers. We undertake to provide timely, accurate and factual information to the community as things arise and change.

We are fielding many questions about the upcoming snow season. The truthful answer is that there are still many unknowns. 

The resorts are working hard to come up with operational solutions that can provide for a snow season which conforms with social distancing principles and current restrictions. Ultimately, the decision on whether there is a snow season or not will be determined by governments and health authorities.

From an Interschools perspective, we have communicated to schools that should any Interschools events not proceed, full refunds will be made on all event-related payments.  Regarding accommodation bookings, we are confident that all Resorts and accommodation providers, either already have or, will announce generous and flexible refund policies.

Opportunities

As we look towards the uncertainty of the months ahead, Snow Australia, is reframing its mission to be one of “What can we do during this time which will make a difference to our community?” In particular, how can we use this time to support and develop our athletes, coaches, clubs and programs and thereby continue our strategic priority of improving the overall quality and performance of the pathway.

To this end, we are fast tracking (where required) and committing effort and resources to the following activities in the immediate term:

Snow Active/Physical Preparation 

• Bring forward delivery of our physical preparation program Snow Active (originally scheduled for June launch)
• Snow Active is an 8-week physical preparation program specifically designed for ski and snowboard athletes at each stage of the pathway.
• Aim to deliver via video conferencing software using our world cup level athletes to run participants through workouts etc.
• Workouts will be filmed and the made available via the website. 

Coach Education 

• Roll out of online Fundamental level 1 coaching course for all the disciplines. June 1 roll out date.
• Encourage instructors, mature age athletes, prospective coaches to complete the online courses. 
• Originally designed to be user pays however will look at ways to provide to the community at minimal or zero cost.
• Increase activity and content for our Coach Academy Program. A targeted coach development program which is offered to select coaches on the sports coach watchlist which has been developed in consultation with the disciplines and clubs.
• Move to online labs rather than physical labs. Aim to commence May 1.

Athlete Engagement/Education

• Look to provide regular and increased content to athletes taking advantage of information curated from sources such as AIS Sport Science
• Develop a series of webinars for delivery to athlete community including information on exercise, nutrition, mental skills etc.
• Athlete wellbeing and mental health – look to provide resources from AIS AWE to broader community

Community Forums

• Deliver planned series of community forums by zoom. 
• Explore opportunity to increase frequency and variety of content
• Include pathway education (FTEM) series
• Engage with clubs and community to deliver Child safe sport seminars

Finally, 2020 will be the most challenging year the Australian snow industry and our community have ever faced. Your health and well-being is number one, and this has a flow-on effect. If you and your family stay protected OUR community and sport can be protected, and so can our beloved snow season. We ask on behalf of Snow Australia and the whole snow industry to join us to #flattenthecurve and #protectOURseason

Take care out there.

Michael Kennedy
Snow Australia CEO