SSA Alpine & Ski Cross Review Update
Published Fri 11 May 2018
ALPINE & SKI CROSS REVIEW – PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION
Following the Alpine Review, Shawn Fleming has come on board to support Mick Branch in the implementation of the outcomes of the Review.
One of the key strategies from the review was the SSA Club Recognition program. As part of that strategy, Shawn’s role throughout the season will be to work with the Australian Alpine Clubs as well as identify opportunities for SSA to better support the Clubs in an ongoing basis.
The outcomes of the review were recently presented by SSA and Thredbo Resort at the TSRC AGM. Positive feedback was received about the findings of the review and strategies identified.
SSA recently met with the NSW Alpine committee to discuss and overview the Alpine & Ski Cross Review. This meeting was a first of its kind between NSW Alpine and SSA, enabling this group to understand the bigger issues and to align itself with SSA objectives. NSW Alpine are in full support of the Alpine & Ski Cross Review, and both groups are looking forward to working together and building a solid, meaningful relationship.
OUTCOMES OF NATIONAL ALPINE COMMITTEE (NAC) MEETING
A meeting of the National Alpine Committee (NAC) was recently held on Friday 4th of May – with the following outcomes:
- Reviewed and approved the new 2018/2019 NAST criteria and transition approach from 2017/2018 NAST criteria
- Reviewed and approved the timing and support for the World Juniors and World Championships 2019
- Commissioned a group to develop and acquire a coach reporting tool for Club coaches to assist their data collection
- Re-vamped and approved the calendar fees structure for 2018 to be more affordable for ROC’s.
- Reviewed and approved the Children’s Watchlist operation
- Confirmed the continuation of a National Children’s camp around the Whistler Cup in 2019
- Received reports on SX and Alpine programs from the 2017/2018 Northern Hemisphere season.
WHAT’S ON
The inaugural SSA Club Workshop will be held in early June with invitations to be extended to Club representatives including Club Captain, Program Directors and Head Coaches.
This workshop will be attended by Dr Juanita Weissensteiner, Principal Advisor Talent Pathways at the NSW Office of Sport as well as Andrew Logan.
Weissensteiner and Logan were instrumental in supporting Mick Branch and Shawn Fleming developing the Alpine & Ski Cross Review.
They continue to support SSA and will assist Mick in delivering the first SSA Alpine Club Workshop.
The Alpine Club Workshop will aim to assist clubs to understand and implement key strategies in the Alpine & Ski Cross Review. It will also provide valuable insight into how SSA can better support our Australian Race Clubs.
National Alpine Ski Team Criteria
NATIONAL ALPINE SKI TEAM (NAST) CRITERIA NOW AVAILABLE
The 2017 Alpine & Ski Cross Review and Roadmap, released in February this year, outlined as one of the key strategies to:
Realign National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) Criteria to reflect aspirational milestones and realistic benchmarks in line with the national athlete pathway.
In alignment with the 2017 Alpine review, the NAST Criteria has now been revised and unanimously adopted by the National Alpine Committee meeting in May.
The introduction of the NAST criteria will occur for the 2018 / 2019 season (beginning from the publishing of the 2018-19 Base List). The announcement of the 2018 National Alpine Ski Team will be made on the 1st of June 2018.
Due to the realignment of the National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) Criteria, the NAC recognises the need to provide continuity for athletes within the system. Therefore athletes not selected under the new criteria but were previously selected in 2017/2018 NAST Criteria, or would have been selected under the 2017/2018 NAST Criteria, will have their selection extended to be given the opportunity to meet the new criteria by October 30th 2018.
Save the Date: SSA Alpine Physical Literacy Clinics
The 2018 SSA Alpine Physical Literacy Clinics dates are now available.
Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA) continues its commitment to promote educational and development opportunities for Alpine athletes through the provision of its redesigned Physical Literacy Clinics.
As part of the Alpine Review into Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and a revised FTEM National Athlete Pathway Framework, SSA identified the need to shift the focus from physical testing to physical literacy. These clinics are no longer compulsory but attendance is highly recommended.
SSA has again partnered with High Performance provider, Precision Athletica to deliver these Clinics.
Registrations for the SSA Alpine Skill Assessment and SSA Alpine Physical Literacy Clinics will be available shortly.
SSA Alpine Calendar Update
The SSA Alpine Calendar has been updated to include expanded events for the FIS ANC Ski Cross and FIS Slalom from 15 of August to 18 of August.
Updates have been highlighted in green for easy recognition.
2018 Membership & Discipline Registration
Ski & Snowboard Australia Membership and Discipline Registration is now open for the 2018 season.
Click here to and follow the prompts renew your membership or register with Ski & Snowboard Australia.
Concussion Baseline Testing
Ski & Snowboard Australia has partnered with the HeadSmart Sports Concussion Programme, an organisation that provides sports concussions solutions from the grassroot levels up to the elite. Recognised as one of the world's leading sports concussion programmes, HeadSmart educates and baseline screens participants.
SSA has partnered with Headsmart to provide the opportunity for its members and athletes to receive baseline testing during their membership renewal process. SSA highly recommends that all participants should have baseline education and screening in place as comparing a post-concussion assessment to your own baseline provides accurate, objective information and takes the guess work out of concussion management.
Once you have renewed your membership you will be prompted to participate in your baseline screening. If you are unable to undertake the screening at that time, you can do so at a later date by logging into your SSA Membership Portal and proceed from there. More information regarding the Baseline Screening and SSA's Concussion Management Guidelines, click here.