Don’t Forget the Fun in Snow Sport

We are fortunate within our winter sports community to have the opportunity to play and participate with family and friends in a range of fun outdoor activities which accommodate people of all ages, physical capabilities and experience.  It is this platform for broad participation that distinguishes snow sports as one of the most inclusive and universally enjoyable outdoor activities available to diverse groups of friends, families and communities. 

The appeal of snow sports is born from the vibrant community structure which has historically existed within the fabric of all on mountain activities. 

Beyond social skiing and boarding, the opportunity also exists to participate competitively in snow sports. In Australia, this often happens for the first time at Interschools.  Interschools has become one of the largest school sporting events in Australia and allows school students to come together and compete with friends typically formed in teams.

The team focus of Interschools is fundamental to its success, and purposefully builds upon the social foundations of snow sports, allowing members to socialise and enjoy group success while creating unforgettable experiences in a friendly group environment.

There are two critical outcomes that Ski and Snowboard Australia hopes to achieve through its Interschools program:

Provide an introduction to competitive snow sports with a focus on the fun and enjoyment of being with friends.  Build upon the principles of teamwork and social structure which are so important in snow sports communities;

Similar to any sport in Australia, we aim to teach our children values that will help them throughout all areas of life, allowing them to grow into well balanced, respectful and productive adults.

Some of the values we aim to promote in Interschools include:

Respect

Teamwork

Discipline

Time management

Patience

Determination

Interschools committee members aim to demonstrate that there is so much more to be gained by participating in sport than just winning medals. 

Now that we are coming to the end of another season, it is a good time to reflect on the success in achieving these value objectives.  Participation in Interschools has again been higher than ever and the events continue to grow each year.  All of this adds pressure to everyone involved and sadly, this season, maybe more than previously, we have witnessed some examples of minimum standards of behaviour not being met during periods of competition. 

There have been some worrying examples where the spirit of fair play, respect for fellow competitors and integrity have been surpassed by a desire to win at any cost.

This type of behaviour isn’t what we would expect from a snow sports community who would typically have higher expectations for enjoyment, community spirit and goodwill towards others in the sport.  Good sporting behaviour, care for fellow snow enthusiasts and respect for athletes, officials and parents are fundamental values we have come to expect from all members. 

At all times we should remember that sport is a great opportunity for us to teach our children about the values of integrity, humility, honesty, discipline and above all else – FUN.

Please do remember that snow sports is a fun activity that should be enjoyed by all participants.  Next time you or someone you know forgets this point, don’t be afraid to remind them of the values we Australians, and snow sport enthusiasts, place on sport.

Code of Conduct    Play by the Rules