Dear Snowboard Community,

Winter is approaching fast and its good to see the temperatures dropping and the snow starting to fall!

On 1 May 2022 the National Snowboard Committtee met to discuss key snowboard strategy and initiatives.

The vision of the snowboard discipline is to help develop and support Snowboard Cross and Alpine Snowboarding athletes to become champions. 

"Our Mission is to develop a sustainable performance pathway of world class athletes who are highly skilled and capable of achieving success at World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games."

The purpose the National Snowboard Plan is to:

• Help lead and facilitate a systemic, better-practice approach to sport development within Snowboard cross and Alpine snowboarding.
• Identify strengths and opportunities within the performance pathway and sport.
• Create, deliver and communicate initiatives across, Community and Clubs to help build Capability and Capacity.
• Build a collaborative platform to support approaches for all stakeholders, leading to higher functioning investment and engagement;

A number of key matters were discussed and a few of the significant initiatives are as follows:

The endorsement of the formation of a Snowboard Community Working Group (SBCWG). The purpose is to assist with the growth of participation in the sport and to enhance opportunities for athletes and their families. Darren Vardy is the Working Group Chair. Not dissimilar to the former Northern Snowboard Committee, the SBCWG will be planning initiatives / activities throughout the season to support snowboard  events with a focus on community and communication. With the last two seasons being interrupted by Covid19, the SBCWG sees this season as an opportunity to reconnect with athletes and their families. A couple of the upcoming initiatives to kick off the season include:

• Jindabyne Snow Sale BBQ to be held on Saturday 11 June 2022 between 8.30am and 4.30pm at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall. This is an opportunity for people to drop in and learn more about the SBWCG. All funds raised will be used to support athletes throughout the season.
• Community mixer to be held on Saturday 2 July 2022 at 5.30pm at the Jindabyne Bowling Club. This is where athletes, parents, coaches and the like can come together socially and to discuss what is in store for the season ahead.

The community Working Group will also be developing a TeamAPP for athletes, parents, coaches and supporters to subscribe to. This will be used to promote better communication around events and other relevant information throughout the season.

2022 Snow Australia Membership - Now Open

Membership and discipline registration has opened for the 2022 season. If you plan on competing this year or attend any Snow Australia programs or facilities you will be required to have a Snow Australia membership. More information on your membership options is available HERE and below.

National Junior Development Committee (NJDC)

A new Junior Snowboarding working group was formed to focus on improve junior development opportunities and implement key initiatives identified in the National Snowboard Plan.

The working group is made up of Kirsteen Maclean (chair), Josh Terry, James Winter and Jackson Holtham. The working group is meeting shortly to kick off their initial planning session to review the key initiatives and to start to develop a strategic plan to implement the initiatives over the coming years.

SBX and Alpine SB Selection Policy Updates

Each year the selection policies and criteria for both SBX and Alpine SB are reviewed and updated prior to the southern winter to better align with the national pathway.

The National Selection Panel and the National Snowboard Committee have completed their review and will publish the updated criteria on the Snow Australia website shortly. We will also communicate the update criteria directly with our registered Snowboard members.

SBX Junior FIS National Series 

In recent months the Snow Australia Snowboard Committee has been in discussion with Australian Clubs, coaches, athletes, and parents regarding the future development of Snowboard Cross (SBX) in Australia.

In an exciting announcement, the SBX community can look forward to a 2022 season that includes a SBX Junior FIS National Series that will take place across multiple resorts during the season. Dates are still being finalised, but you can look forward to receiving further event information and details in the coming weeks. 

2022 Emerging Talent Program Members

I am also excited to announce the SBX Emerging Talent Program Members for 2022. The Snow Australia Emerging Talent Program (ETP) is designed to identify, support, and enhance the development of talented, emerging athletes for progression in the Snow Australia Performance Pathway. The program is proudly aligned with and supported by South East Sports Academy (SESA). The full list of the 2022 Emerging Talent Program Members can seen HERE.

I look forward to seeing many of you on snow in only a few weeks time!

Rob Dickson
Chair - National Snowboard Committee. 

The Snow Australia Junior Masters is a new event for the 2022 season targeted toward 19 to 29-year-old ex-Interschools Snowsports Competitors, along with an open (30+) category. To be held at Thredbo on July 29 - 30, the Championship includes an Alpine & Snowboard Giant Slalom event, plus a Rider Cross - SX & BX event. The development of this new 2-day Championships aims to inspire young (and older) adults to experience friendly snowsport competition beyond their school years, with the objective to continue that involvement into both the UniSport Championships (where applicable), and the Australian Masters Series for 30 to 80+ year old’s.

For more details and to register, follow the link below.

Each month the Snowboard Committee will put the spotlight on an Australian Snowboard athlete to learn more about them as they train and compete around the World. This month focuses on National Snowboard Team Member Harvey Edmanson.

The Jindabyne Snow Sale will be held on Saturday June 11 at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall and is a great opportunity to buy and/or sell new and pre-loved snow sports equipment. 

A full range of new and preloved snow sports equipment will be available, perfect for skiers and snowboarders new to sport and families upgrading gear. 

The Snow Sale is an annual fundraiser for the maintenance and updgrades to the National Snowsports Training Centre Acro facilities, which run community acrobatic programs in Jindabyne. While you're there, be sure to check out the BBQ hosted by SBCWG between 8.30 and 4.30PM, with all funds raised going towards supporting our Snowboard Athletes. This is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the initiatives and activities that the SBCWG will be involved in throughout the season and for the Snowboard community to reconnect.

Snow Australia Membership has opened for the 2022 season.

Whether you are entering your first Interschools event, competing in the Junior FIS National Series, attending a Futures event or competing overseas, you will require a Snow Australia snowboard membership. Whatever your activities are this year we have a membership category that meets your requirements with the flexibility to upgrade as needed as you progress through the season and pathway.

All memberships include an active SnowID (minimum requirement for interschool competitions) and Snowracer Insurance.

Please review the membership and registration options here and register via the link below.