Testing for budding alpine skiers

SSA’s first alpine skiing National Skills Assessment for 2017 was held at Perisher over the weekend, headed up by Alpine Program Director Brad Wall.

The National Skills Assessment is an initiative of SSA’s National Alpine Committee that encourages alpine skiers, whether at Interschools or World Cup level, to take part in the assessments to understand their current skill level and get feedback about what they should be working on in order to progress to an elite level.

Brad was joined by Head OWIA Ski Cross Coach Shawn Fleming, three time Olympian Craig Branch and newly appointed Alpine Director Mick Branch, who will commence his new role from 15 July, to take young aspiring alpine skiers through a series of challenging on snow assessments and set goals to make positive changes in their skiing.

 “It was exciting to be a part of the delivery of the skills assessment and fun to spend time and ski with the athletes.” Mick said of the weekend. “I felt it was a great opportunity for the athletes to test their skills early in the season and identify opportunities for improvement. I feel this increases opportunity to maximise their potential for long term athlete success.”

Forty-one athletes aged under 12 to FIS age took part in the two day event that saw great weather and snow conditions just a week after the Australian winter season opened with plenty of snow on the peaks.

The weekend began with an open forum at the Station resort in Jindabyne where the coaches revisited the aims and importance of the Assessments.

Then the athletes were challenged to physical tasks testing each of the four primary skill areas pressure, edging, balance and rotary. All athletes displayed great spirit and fierce determination completing the tasks to the best of their ability.

Following the assessment tasks, athletes were split into small groups working closely with the coaches, eager to ask questions and learn more about what it takes to be competitive at the elite level of the sport.

Both days finished with a debrief where next steps were explained to parents and athletes regarding the reporting system and the templates that the club will receive, giving the opportunity for one on one coach/athlete meetings to set goals and put plans in place for the athletes to make changes in their skiing.

Further National Skills Assessments will be coming to major Australian resorts in the coming weeks.  Registrations are now open, and the fee is now included in SSA’s Alpine Membership fee structure.

• Thredbo: June 28-29 - Register here 
• Mt Hotham: July 7 – 8 - Register here
• Falls Creek: July 10 - Register here
• Mount Buller: July 12-14 - Register here.
   

See more information on SSA's National Alpine Skills Assessment

See the National Alpine Skills Assessment - Participant Manual