Snow Australia launches new accreditation scheme for pathway providers

Snow Australia has launched a new accreditation scheme for domestic and international pathway providers, designed to ensure consistency of athlete development from grassroots to elite and provide families with a type of “quality assurance” in regard to selecting a program provider.

Affiliated pathway programs are required to undergo a rigorous assessment process which is ultimately designed to give families confidence that the program they are choosing has met the appropriate governance, pastural and athletic development standards.

The Snow Australia Athlete Pathway (FTEM model) relies on a variety of different sport program providers to operate at the elite, development and grassroots level.

Snow Australia recognises that Australia's Programs and Clubs form a pivotal role in developing athlete pathways and as such wanted to establish best practices for athletic and sport development. The Affiliated Domestic Pathway Programs initatives recognises those meeting best practice standards.

Snow Australia Performance Pathway Manager Ben Wordsworth said the domestic and international programs accreditation was about identifying clubs that offered programs in line with delivering pathway outcomes.

“Snow Australia recognises the value that resort and club programs offer in developing Australian athletes at different levels of the pathways, across different disciplines.

“We wanted to make it easier for families to identify programs that align with the Snow Australia pathway through an accreditation system.

“Each club was asked to highlight how their programs align to four key areas that are critical to the Snow Australia athlete pathway which included: leadership, operations, performance environment and pathway intelligence,.

“This is the first year of introducing the accreditation scheme and there will be the ability to update on a yearly basis clubs and programs that appear on this list,” he said.

The accreditation scheme in 2020 recognises 13 domestic and two international program providers, across four disciplines: alpine, freestyle ski, snowboard and cross country. Additional international program providers are currently undergoing accreditation process ahead of the 2020/21 international season and will be announced once completed and approved.

Each Program Provider will be required to update their application annually and will participate in one to two workshops with Snow Australia staff, in addition to receiving an annual review which overviews and provides feedback on the Accreditation process. Affiliated programs will also be able to access Snow Australia professional development sessions for coaching and program management.

The following clubs have been recognised under the Snow Australia Program Providers accreditation scheme ahead of the 2020/21 season:

Affiliated Domestic Pathway Program Providers:

Perisher Winter Sports Club – alpine, freestyle, snowboard

Thredbo Ski Racing Club - alpine

Mt Hotham Racing Squad – alpine

Falls Creek Race Club – alpine

Mt Buller Race Club – alpine, snowboard

Thredbo Mountain Academy – alpine, freestyle, snowboard

Victoria Junior Team/Development Squad – cross country

NSW Team/Squad/Development – cross country

ACT Junior Squad – cross country

Team Buller Riders – freestyle

The Mogul Skiing Academy (AUSMSA) – freestyle

Mt Hotham Free Ski – freestyle

Hotham Snowboard Inc – snowboard

Accredited International Pathway Program Providers (As at February 2020)*:

Turn and Burn Snowboard Camps - snowboard

Peak Ski Racing Academy - alpine

*Additional international pathway program providers are currently undergoing accreditation process and will be announced once completed and approved.