Chesterman and Cooper receive Australia Day honours

Ski and Snowboard Australia is pleased to recognise Steve Cooper and Ian Chesterman, who today received Australia Day Honours.

AOC Vice-President Ian Chesterman, who has led Australian teams as Chef de Mission to the past six Winter Olympic Games, was today honoured with an AM.

Steve Cooper, chairman of NSW, ACT, QLD Interschools Snowsports Championships and Director of Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA) was today recognised for his outstanding contribution to the sport with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

Ian Chesterman, who will lead the Australian Team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is a well renowned leader in Australian sport, with AOC President John Coates AC saluting his contribution.

“As Chef de Mission for the past six Australian Winter Olympic Teams, Ian has played a crucial role in the ongoing success of our Winter Olympic Teams and the profile of our winter sports.

“Ian has an impressive leadership style that rubs off on our athletes. Most recently at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, our team conducted themselves flawlessly in competition and as Australian ambassadors away from it. Ian can take great credit for that,” Mr Coates said.

Cooper’s commitment to developing snowsport participation through his role as chairman of NSW, ACT, QLD Interschools Snowsports Championships combined with a long list of other voluntary roles, made him a worthy recipient of the Order of Australia Medal.

Former Deputy Principal of Jindabyne Central School, Steve has been chairman of the NSW, ACT and QLD Interschools Snowsports Championships since 2003. During Steve’s time as Chairman, entries have seen over a 100% increase, which can be attributed to Steve’s management, vision and tireless volunteer hours that he puts in. More than 6,000 participants compete annually across in the Interschools competition in Australia.

Steve has been a director of SSA since 2010, is the chairman of the National Participation Committee, and has previously served as a member of the National Freestyle Committee.

With particular interest in freestyle, Steve spent eight years taking a very active volunteer role as chairman of NSW Freestyle. He was in charge of the overall coordination of the NSW events and programs, long term planning with resorts and SSA, developing and maintaining sponsorship relationships, marketing and promotion.

The award is recognition of Steve's strong passion for increasing competitive snow sports participation, helping athletes reach their potential and management of successful, friendly, fair and safe inclusive snow sports events.