Q&A with FIS Council Member Dean Gosper on new Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Committee Structure

Courtesy www.fisski.com

At the recent FIS Technical Committee meetings in Cancún (MEX), the biggest news coming out of the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard disciplines was their evolution into a single Technical Committee unifying both disciplines.  

The new body named the ‘Snowboard Freestyle Skiing, and Freeski Committee’ will be in place as of spring 2017 (click here for more information).

FIS took the opportunity to talk to FIS Council Member Dean Gosper (AUS) who has been appointed as its Chair as a result of the successful work he had carried out chairing a Working Group on the new structure.

What were the main reasons for unifying the governance of Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard?

While Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard each have their own unique cultures and histories, they are both the newer disciplines within FIS and share common values, communities and challenges. In practice, the unification formalises a longer term trend where the two disciplines have enjoyed increasingly closer working relationships. This is best seen at Olympic and World Championship levels where the various events capture substantial global appeal. Unification will also provide greater critical mass within FIS but at the same time it will group like-events into Sub-Committees that will focus expertise and promotion.

Who initiated the reorganisation?

A number of nations had raised or supported the prospect of a range of re-organisation options. The FIS Council determined that a representative and expert group should do a full governance review and provide recommendations. This led to the formation of a Working Group

What will be the benefits?

The new arrangements build on the strong platform of the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard communities. Much of the existing leadership will continue to play important roles going forward. Importantly, unification will better align our exciting events with our many and valued host resorts and also our spectators and followers. In short, governance of our events is being grouped by common culture and terrain rather than equipment.

How will the voice of the athletes be represented within this structure?

Athlete representation is universally regarded as a fundamental and valuable part of the new structure. Discussions with the FIS Athletes’ Commission are underway to determine a fair and workable connection.

In your role as Chairman, what are your key tasks and primary goals for the next few years?

Whatever role I play it will be made all the more easy by virtue of the quality of individuals from the nations and from within FIS management that will be involved. The new arrangements begin with a transition phase and it is important to ensure all the various interests are heard and carried along together. The early priority is to revisit the strategic direction of our disciplines with a heavy focus on further increasing their appeal and exposure. Naturally, the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard commercial models have been inherited from the successful Alpine and Nordic ones. We might test if this is still appropriate. There will also be an even higher focus on collaboration with resort hosts and event Organisers. It is an extremely exciting time and the changes should reinvigorate our communities that have already established wonderful sports. I look forward to making a contribution.