Six pathway coaches selected to participate in AIS Platform to Perform Program

Snow Australia is pleased to have six of its pathway coaches as part of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Platform to Perform Program.

The Platform to Perform program equips emerging coaches with the technical skills and scientific understanding to effectively transition athletes through the pre-elite stages of development.

Concentrating on a holistic approach to athlete development, participants will be involved in a series of experiential sessions and networking opportunities in the AIS training environment, as well as modules on culture and communication.

NSW Institute of Sport Winter Sports Coordinator Peter Topalovic said the Platform to Perform program is a great opportunity for our winter sports coaches.

“Having our winter sports coaches attend is not only beneficial for their education, but also a fantastic opportunity for them to work with a broader group of coaches and practitioners from other sports across Australia,” Topalovic said.

“Given our coaches are geographically challenged, being based all over the world, when they are in Australia it’s great that they have the opportunity to attend programs like these.”

The six coaches selected are part of the new national Snow Australia Coach Academy initiative, a commitment to upskill pathway coaches and performance staff.

“As an organisation our mission is simple and we are setting the bar high,” Topalovic said.

“We have some of the worlds best coaching knowledge in Australia, and we need to continue to work together with all our pathway program coaches to hand down this knowledge,” he said.

“Better coaches means better results for Australia on the world stage.”

The following six coaches have been selected to participate in the Platform to Perform program:

Richard Haslau -  Mt Buller Race Club Head Coach/Program Director

Joe Draxl - Australian Development Ski Cross Coach and Mt Buller Race Club Ski Cross Head Coach

James Winter - Perisher Winter Sports Club Snowboard Cross Head Coach

Nick Jones - Thredbo Ski Racing Club Alpine Development Coach

Carla Zijlstra - Snow Australia Emerging Talent Program Strength and Conditioning Provider

Alison Bombardier - Perisher Winter Sports Club Race Department Manager