Snow Australia announces the 2022 Club Coaches of the Year

Club coaches Alexi Sotskov (NSW/ACT Cross Country) and Isla Marsh (Thredbo Mountain Academy) have jointly been named Club Coaches of the Year in the 2022 Snow Australia Community Sport Awards.

This award recognises the exceptional contribution made by club coaches either on or off the snow, with a focus on improving community sport through encouraging participation, fairness, and integrity, and making Snowsports more welcoming, safe, and inclusive space.

Sotskov coaches a wide variety of NSW/ACT XC athletes, including developing skiers, a masters group and Olympic level members of the 2022 NSW ACT XC programs. He engages with a wide variety of skiers both remotely and face-to-face to build a community that can support everyone's aspirations and interests. 
 
For Sotskov, being able to help skiers "chase their dreams" is something he is personally passionate about.
 
"Helping skiers get to where they want to be, whether it is placing high at the World Cup races in Europe, or being more efficient gliding on the snow track at Perisher XC Ski Resort. They are all genuine and fun to work with," said Sotskov
 
Looking back at the season just gone, Sotskov highlighted Kangaroo Hoppet weekend in Falls Creek as a stand out event of the season.
 
"NSW/ACT XC skiers were present in all races from 9km to the marathon and we had such a great group of very diverse abilities and ages. We were a solid team at a big international event and it was just awesome," said Sotskov. 

Marsh, who was promoted to Head Coach of Thredbo Mountain Academy (TMA) this winter, is known for her rigorous coaching standards, which include the creation of secure learning environments, the promotion of a positive learning atmosphere, the encouragement of active participation and the emphasis on developing all-round skiers.
 
Having always been involved in sports, Marsh found it to be a natural progression to becoming a coach. 
 
"I love facilitating athletes to achieve their goals and progress in their sports, ultimately passing on my passion for the sport. Getting to be on snow every day doesn’t suck either," said Marsh.
 
Marsh's 2022 snow season was highlighted by two TMA freeskiing athletes finishing on the podium at the Snow Australia races, with Emma Dawson-Damer winning the U16 Ski Cross, and Max Juric who came in third in the U16 Giant Slalom. 

Marsh is especially proud of the culture she and her team have built, in addition to these great results.
 
"TMA is a grassroots club with a large freeski element and it’s great to show that training through freeskiing can produce great athletes too," said Marsh.
 
"We aren’t all about results and I’m really proud of the culture that we’ve created as a team that enables athletes to feel safe and secure so they feel comfortable to push their boundaries. Watching the kids send it off drops and over jumps on pow days is great to be a part of."
 
Marsh wishes to leave a lasting legacy by providing women with the resources they require to become more involved in snow sports.
 
"[I hope to] leave a legacy where I’ve shown that you can have a career in the ski industry and being an athlete is just a part of that but being a good person is a bigger part.

“Women can be great coaches too, it’s a man’s world but women are also great coaches and should be respected . Let's break the mould of the stereotypical coach and get more women into ski coaching," said Marsh.