SSA launch two new participation initiatives in 2019

Ski & Snowboard Australia are excited to announce two new participation Initiatives in 2019 which will help boost the recognition of snowsports across the nation.

Separate to the annual Australian Ski & Snowboard Awards, there will be a dedicated Ski & Snowboard Australia Community Sport Awards on 7 November to recognise athletes, coaches, volunteers, clubs, schools, resorts, administrators and programs at the development and pathway level of snowsports.

In addition to this new initiative there will be a National Snowsports Participation and Development Conference to be held in Canberra from 7-8 November in a first of its kind within the sport.

Ski & Snowboard Australia Community Sport Awards

Established to compliment the Australian Ski & Snowboard Awards to be held in Melbourne on Wednesday 1 May, the Ski & Snowboard Australia Community Sport Awards will be a separate event created to shine a light on the Australian snowsports community from development to pathway levels.

It is anticipated there will be a national audience of between 250 to 300 attendees at the event held on 7 November which will coincide with the new National Snowsports Participation and Development Conference from 7-8 November.

A SSA working group will manage the development of this major initiative, with the wider snowsports community currently being consulted on the areas of the sport that should be recognised.

This event is planned to develop into an annual celebration that enables SSA to promote and acknowledge programs and activities at a community, participation, development and pathway level.

There will also be a legacy component of this event which will recognise previous and high-profile members of the Australian snowsports community.

National Snowsports Participation and Development Conference

Since mid last year, a small working group have been working on developing the new conference and it's program and objectives.

SSA anticipate a conference attendance of between 150 to 200 individuals, with the intended audience being school Snowsports Coordinators from across Australia and industry representatives from the resorts, Clubs, SIA, APSI and private providers servicing the Australian snowsports industry.

The conference will involve keynotes, panels and workshops covering a variety of topics likely to include:

• Trends in sport, snowsports and industry
• Snowsports athlete pathways from participation to high performance
• Snowsports risk management
• Child safe sport strategies
• Participation event rules and guidelines
• Inspirational and aspirational stories from previous and current Olympic athletes and coaches

SSA are currently finalising conference presenters and facilitators with a view to seek NESA accreditation for conference teacher attendees.

The conference dates are structured to coincide with the new Ski & Snowboard Australia Community Sport Awards to be held on 7 November.

Further details on both initiatives will be released shortly.