NSW / ACT / QLD Interschools Snowsport Update

Friday 9th July Statement

NSW, ACT and QLD School Education systems on their approach to large scale interschools sporting events in response to Public Health orders. In addition, Snow Australia Interschools communicates regularly with the NSW Department of Education, the NSW Department of Health, and actively monitors Education system communiques daily.

In line with the NSW Premier’s announcement regarding the extension of COVID-19 restriction for Greater Sydney, the NSW & ACT Education systems, the Independent Schools Association, and the Combined School Sports Associations are currently revising their regulations for Sporting Events & Excursions in NSW Regional areas, including the Snowy Mountains area. 

At present these regulations include schools being limited to outdoor activities within the Local Government Area (LGA) of the school, together with the ceasing of all camps, out-of-area field trips, and all overnight stays.  

Accordingly, and pending confirmation of the anticipated cancellation and/or postponement of all major school sporting events that require travel outside of LGA’s for any participating school until at least July 24, planning for the July 20-23 Southern NSW & ACT Interschools Snowsport Championship is currently on hold. Snow Australia Interschools also notes that several schools registered to compete in this Championship are located within the Greater Sydney Region which includes the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, and Shellharbour. 

Snow Australia Interschools expects to be in a position to make further announcements early next week, and as soon as Monday 12th July, as we are conscious that our events require travel and accommodation for many schools, families, staff, and students and therefore wish to provide as much notice as possible.

State Championships – Perisher (August 23-27)

Snow Australia Interschools is currently developing a revised operational plan for the August State Interschools Snowsport Championships which takes into the account the cancellation of our Regional events, in consultation with host resort partner – Perisher. We anticipate being able to release that revised approach later next week, to maximise the planning period for schools.

School Coordinators will receive a direct email communique from Snow Australia Interschools in the week commencing 19th July (School Week 2 of Term Three), which will enable all participating schools to inform us of their intention to compete in the revised August 23-27 State Event. Coordinators will also be able to specifically inform us any individual school priorities, requests, and directions at the same time.

It is envisaged that we will also hold several School Coordinator webinars in late July, that coincides with the above review. 

Event Refunds / Payments / Credits

We are developing several options for schools to consider over the coming weeks as we attempt to move forward during this challenging and evolving time.

Our preferred operational mode is to issue all schools with an Interschools Credit that is held until all State Event details are released, and subsequent entries from schools are received for that State Event.

For schools that indicate that they will not be attending the State Championships, the Event Entry charges will be refunded as soon as possible.

All School Coordinators will be asked for input on this proposal in our upcoming direct email communique, as mentioned earlier.

PLEASE NOTE that due to the current high volume of phone requests and enquiries at this critical period of time, our preferred method of communication to general enquiries over the coming 2-week period is via email where possible. School Coordinators with urgent enquiries and requests should ring as usual. 

We thank you for your patience.

The Snow Australia Interschools Team.