First recipients selected for SSA Emerging Talent Scholarship - moguls

Eight teenagers from Victoria and NSW are among a special group of Australian snow sport athletes to be selected for SSA’s first Emerging Talent Scholarship (ETS) intake for mogul skiing.

Considered high potential athletes, the eight have been identified as having the capability of contributing to Australia’s international snow sport success in the future.  Each will receive a financial contribution towards their nominated individual performance initiative which aims to maximise and fast track their pathway opportunities and prepare them for future international competition.

"We're currently in the process of rolling out the Emerging Talent Scholarship program across multiple ski and snowboard disciplines and we’re exited by the opportunity this presents to engage young emerging athletes into the high performance pathway at an earlier stage in their development than ever before." Said Ramone Cooper, National Pathway and Programs Manager at Ski & Snowboard Australia.

The eight recipients of the ETS for mogul skiing are: 

• Eleanor Mullins, age 15
• Emma Bosco, age 14
• Ethan Topalovic, age 18
• Georgia Stewart, age 17
• Thomas Matsumoto, age 18
• Angus Hill, age 14
• Benjamin Matsumoto, age 16
• Maddison Everingham, 15.

They will use the support funding towards performance initiatives in conjunction with their coaching and training program, such as:

• Acrobatic Training Fees
• Gym training Fees
• Coaching/ Program fees
• Performance camp fees
• Training facility fees
• Performance services fees.

The SSA Selection Committee considered a number of high quality applications in what is a reflection of the tremendous talent across our athlete pathway. Their past performances and performance planning have shown these eight to be capable of progressing in the pathway, as well as demonstrating positive behaviour and a strong worth ethic, amongst several core criteria.

"The program will deliver athlete outcomes based on a combination of individual and program support; targeted performance camp invitations with our NSWIS underpinning programs, a range of dry land activities and a mentor program with senior high performance athletes. The ETS program will not operate in isolation, rather in conjunction with an athlete’s established SSA Pathway program and aims not to replace existing activity, instead to add value in unlocking new opportunities." Cooper said.

Alexandra Rouse
Ski & Snowboard Australia