Ski & Snowboard Australia becomes first Australian Olympic sport to unify governance model

Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA) has created history as the first Olympic sport in Australia to unify into a single organisation to govern the whole sport from the grassroots to the elite.

Effective from today, the sport of skiing & snowboarding will operate as one entity bringing together and capitalising on the strengths of the remaining State bodies Snowsports ACT (SACT) and NSW Snowsports (NSWS) to unify under the SSA banner.

The move comes on the back of extensive consultation between all stakeholders, with each group recognising that operating as one entity will be the most effective way to consolidate the regional activities and achieve the sport’s mission.

The unification model will mean that all resources and operations will be streamlined into one business and will remove any duplication, with an ability to have one strategy, workforce and financial management system in place.

All existing staff will be re-employed and a number of key SSA responsibilities will be decentralised to the new Jindabyne office to take advantage of the proximity to on-snow facilities during winter.

SSA is working with the NSW Government Department Sport & Recreation on how the facility can be further enhanced to maximise the opportunity for athletes and coaches in the future.

Unification will relieve the two State Organisations (SSO’s) of direct governance responsibilities but will preserve their financial and operational activities inside of SSA. This has already happened in Victoria with regional activities channelled through State Discipline Committees and the Victorian Interschools Committee.

The unification structure will also include the protection of certain assets such as the Nordic Shelter at Perisher, various SSO Foundations and SSO cash reserves. These will be held in an SSA Northern account structure and overseen by a Northern Management Committee chaired by the existing Chairs of NSW and ACT.

Ski & Snowboard Australia President, Dean Gosper, applauded all stakeholders for their commitment to working collaboratively to establish a solution in the best interest of developing the sport.

“Unification reflects the courage and vision of the State communities who have looked beyond their own borders and now see the benefits of working as a single national organisation for the benefit of the sport.

“SSA will be a more effective partner to our athletes, our volunteers, our funders, and to the industry,” he said.

Chair of Sport Australia John Wylie said “Sport Australia congratulates Ski and Snowboard Australia and all of its stakeholders on achieving this integration. This is forward-looking, decisive and bold leadership for the long term good of the sport, and will improve financial resources and opportunities for our nation’s winter athletes.”

A unified SSA will allow the sport to speak with a single, clear voice, particularly when dealing with it’s valued stakeholders such as our funding partners and resort hosts.

Importantly, it will also provide enhanced integration of pathways for young athletes.

The outcome is a result of cooperation between all parties and is the extension of a Sport Australia (SA) governance review some years ago and, more recently, a call from SA for sporting organisations to strive for unification as a model of best practice.

The leadership groups of each of the three snowsports organisations have led the process and maintained frequent and transparent communication with the various communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does this mean for memberships?

There is no change for existing members and those wanting to become members – the process remains the same for signing up to memberships which is via the SSA website. Membership details are announced in early 2019. What members will start to see is increased efficiency in how SSA is achieving it’s mission for the sport, better working relationships with valued stakeholders including resort hosts as well
as enhanced integration of pathways for young athletes.

2. What will happen to existing programs and events?

Existing programs and events operated by NSW Snowsport’s and Snowsports ACT will largely be unchanged, with all existing events to remain in place. As the new structure develops there may be opportunities to enhance and develop existing activities however this will all be done
with the agreement of event and program operators.

3. Does this impact the Interschools program?

No. The hugely successful interschools program will continue to be managed by the existing event management teams. There will be increased focus on the harmonisation of rules and processes to improve the vent experiences for participants, schools and families.

4. What happens to the finances and assets within the sport?

The unification structure will also include the protection of certain assets such as the Nordic Shelter at Perisher, various SSO Foundations and SSO cash reserves. These will be held in an SSA Northern account structure and overseen by a Northern Management Committee chaired by
the existing Chairs of NSW and ACT. As part of the transition the Northern Management Committee will also have a representative on the SSA Audit & Finance Committee.

5. Will there be a presence in New South Wales given SSA Head Office is based in Victoria?

Yes. SSA has established an office inside the sport precinct at Jindabyne Sport & Rec. A number of key SSA responsibilities will be decentralised to the new Jindabyne office to take advantage of the proximity to on-snow facilities during winter. SSA is working with the NSW Government Department Sport & Recreation on how the facility can be enhanced and maximised for athletes, coaches and the broader SSA pathway/community in the future.