Snow Sports New Zealand Autumn Alpine Forum 2017

SUMMARY AND NOTES Sunday 21st May 2017, 10:00AM – 15:30PM Queenstown Events Centre Mezzanine Room, Frankton

ATTENDEES Present: SSNZ Board: David Wallace, Michelle Trapski, Richard Thomas SSNZ Staff: Hannah Hazeldine Team Hutt: Andrew O'Donoghue, Michael Bushell Twizel Snow Club: Ansja De Boer, Sue McNeill, Bill Feasey Queenstown Alpine Ski Club: Damien O'Connell, Fiona Boyer, Mario Hanausek, Sarah Robinson, Angus Rose, Paula Ryan Stockman Sports: John Harman Wanaka Ski and Snow Sports Club: Peter Duff, Anne Barwood, Martin Barwood, Willis Feasey, Amanda Richards Cardrona Alpine Ski Team: Adi Bernasconi NZ Ski: Haylee Roberts

Via Skype: Alpine Sport Committee: Adrian Farnsworth, Jono Howson Ruapehu Snow Sports: Robin Dixon Wanaka Ski and Snow Sports Club: Flick Wallace, Paul Lockey Stockman Sports: Kim Grenfell

Apologies: Alpine Sport Committee: Grant Winsloe, Mark Benseman, Mark Gillings. Snow Sports NZ CEO: Marty Toomey Wanaka Ski and Snow Sports Club: John Hudson, Andy Richards, Jesse Teat Coberger Academy: Nils Coberger, Ben Griffin St Arnaud Ski Foundation: David Scott Stockman Sports: Grant Stockman Northern Snow Circus: Brad Aylwin, Frank Cartwright Ruapehu Alpine Lifts: Raymond Goff One Studio: Dave Stewart

Note taker: Hannah Hazeldine

PROCEEDINGS Meeting called to order at 10:05 AM by SSNZ Chairman, David Wallace

Snow Sports NZ Board report from David Wallace

Industry Review Update The Snow Sports Industry Review completed in August 2016

At 2016 AGM SSNZ signalled it was awaiting five key decisions from Industry review 1. Season pass database (SAANZ) ☑ 2. Saleable national product (SAANZ) ☒ 3. Shared services (NZSIF, SAANZ, WGNZ) ☑☒ 4. SSNZ membership requirement (SAANZ) ☑ 5. SSNZ event entry management (SAANZ) ☑☒

Staff Update Resignations from Jo Lynch (Business Manager) and Adam Dooney (Director Development).

Both positions are being replaced by short term contracts during 2017 season (June – Nov).

Replacement roles are not senior management roles  Admin support (0.5 FTE)  Park, Pipe and Freeride Manager

Snow Sports NZ Board Update Two new Board members elected in October 2016  Mat Woods (Wanaka)  Richard Thomas (Queenstown)

Two Board members appointed in October 2016  Jan Shearer (Olympic sailing medalist)  Hetty van Hale (elected member 2014-2016)

Hetty van Hale elected Deputy Chair for 2016/17

Board Update – Areas of Focus

Financial sustainability  Reduction in costs  Shared services income  Other income

Policy reviews  Integrity and Match-fixing

PyeongChang 2018  Nomination criteria  Monitoring political situation

Establishment of SSNZ Charitable Trust  Trust deed has been developed

 Application made to DIA (3 month wait)

HPSNZ medal targets  1+ medals at Winter Olympic Games  2+ Gold medals at Winter Paralympic Games

Funding beyond 2018 will be significantly impacted by performances in PyeongChang

Board Update – Strategy

 Strategic Plan has been reviewed by the Board  Key focus on Competitive Snowsports only o Vision – NZ athletes consistently winning on the world stage o Purpose - Leading the growth and success of competitive snow sports in NZ  Pillars o Competitive Pathways - 25% of funding o International Success – 75% of funding  Clarity around SSNZ, sport committee, clubs and ski area roles

Summary of the Alpine Management restructure presented by David Wallace

Club Presidents (CP) and Alpine Sports Committee (ASC) met in October 2016 re SSNZ relationship

CP / ASC felt they had insufficient input into the management of alpine  Communication  Transparency  Accountability

CP representatives presented their concerns to SSNZ Board in November 2016

SSNZ agreed to work with CP / ASC to find a solution to the concerns raised

An alternative ASC structure was proposed by CP / ASC in December 2016 but was not universally accepted by the alpine clubs

SSNZ Chair and CEO met with CP / ASC in February 2017 to map a way forward Working group was formed in April to establish the basis of a new working relationship  Mark Benseman (ASC & Working Group Chair)  Grant Winsloe (ASC Chair)  Jono Howson and Kim Grenfell (CP reps)  David Wallace (Chair), Marty Toomey (CEO)

Heads of Agreement (HoA) drafted and circulated (26 April) to CP for ratification  Unanimous support received

Key points of agreement

 CP group to be formally recognised by SSNZ (form yet to be determined)  CP group to nominate two members for appointment onto the ASC  ASC accountable for developing a 10 year strategy for alpine  ASC to identify an annual program of work (and budget) aligned to the 10 year plan  ASC to develop criteria for the affiliation of new alpine clubs  ASC to develop annual calendar and selection criteria for alpine events  ASC to recommend alpine selection criteria  ASC to recommend alpine selectors to SSNZ Board and NZL representatives on ANC  ASC Chair will have an opportunity to meet with SSNZ Board bi-annually  ASC to have input into CEO and Alpine Manager annual review process

Still to resolve  Constitutional language to be revised to reflect HoA changes  Form of CP group  Voting process for ASC (engagement of wider alpine community in election process)

Summary of the Year in Review Presented by Hannah Hazeldine

Grassroots 2016  Schools $5 levy per entry is reinvested in event development, e.g. support timing, registrations systems, administration, volunteer training. It is important for this levy to go through SSNZ so that we are able to capture the grassroots participation numbers and be able to contact them and help them develop through the sport.  We continued to work with the Upper Clutha Primary School Championships at Cardrona and the Battle of the Basin at Coronet Peak.  Junior Memberships and Junior Events contributing to: registration system, administration assistance, race official training.

2017  SSNZ are looking to spread their support of schools events across the country.  NZSIA and SSNZ will be working together to develop the Fundamentals programme for implementation in ski schools and clubs.  We will continue to offer membership and registration services for grassroots events.  Working with the Winter Games NZ and NZ Ski to host NZ’s first FIS Snowkidz event, a floodlight dual slalom held at Coronet Peak on the 23rd August. The goal of this event is to encourage children in school ski programmes to take part in their first race, to maximise fun and engagement and retain them in the sport by offering further race opportunities in coming weeks. The aim is to build a blueprint for clubs to roll out in their regions.

Youth Development 2016  Junior Memberships and Youth Events contributing to: registration system, administration assistance, race official training.  National Points systems administered by SSNZ.  SSNZ and the Snowvision Foundation hosted an ‘Intro to Strength and Conditioning Camp’ with the help of the athletes and coaches from the Coberger Academy.

2017  Provide coaches’ education to enable clubs to deliver courses like this one in their regions. The first education session like this is scheduled to be run on the 12th and 13th of June at Cardrona and SSNZ gym in Wanaka. (More details to follow)  Continue to offer administrative support and race official training/support.

Junior Development 2017  Junior Development Camps which will include physical screening, direction on strength and conditioning, warm ups.  Our aim is to provide coaches’ education and to enable clubs to deliver courses like this one in their regions  SSNZ also provides administrative support for athletes travelling overseas to FIS Youth competitions.

NZ National Ski Team and Development Team 2016  Pathway to Podium programme places through the Central Otago Academy of Sport covering workshops on strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental skills.  NZ Ski Training Lane agreement for the National Team and for camps for the National Development Team.  $10,000 was sourced to restock the team with gates and drills.  $15,000 NZD went toward the team's World Championships Campaign in St Moritz.  Elite Access Passes were granted to NZ Ski Team members through SSNZ’s agreement with SAANZ  SSNZ also provide administrative support for athletes travelling overseas.

2017  SSNZ continue to work with their partners NZ Ski, SAANZ and Central Otago Academy of Sport, and with charitable trusts to seek funding and invest in support of the National Team.

Alpine Coaches’ Education 2016  USSA Coaches Education Manager, Ron Kipp, delivered coaching clinics to SSNZ clubs and training providers across the country, with a total of 124 coaches taking part in his workshops.  NZSIA ran the first ‘Intro to Ski Racing’ Certificate at Cardrona with great success. Thanks go to the NZSIA and David Grogan and Andrew Wylie for delivery the course. 2017  Coaches Update to be held at Snow Sports NZ Offices and Cardrona on the 12th and 13th June.  NZSIA running Race Coach course at Snowplanet 25th May with David Grogan and Tim Cafe and Cardrona 25th Sept.  Work is ongoing in developing a Race Coach 2 qualification.

Alpine Race Officials 2016  Level 1 Race Officials courses were run in Auckland, National Park, Twizel, Wanaka and Queenstown. Thanks to Jono Howson and Robin Dixon for their work on developing the Race Official Level 1 course content.  42 new race officials were trained.  1 New FIS TD – Hannah Hazeldine

2017  Level 1 courses will again be delivered across the country with the help of SSNZ’s National TDs. This course will continue to be free to all SSNZ members.

o TBC - Snowplanet - Hannah Hazeldine o 15th July - Methven - David Grogan o 19th July - Queenstown - Hannah Hazeldine o 27th July - Wanaka - Hannah Hazeldine o TBC - National Park - Robin Dixon o 19th August - Coronet Peak (Winter Games NZ) - Hannah Hazeldine

 Timing and Calculations courses will be run at Snowplanet 22nd & 22rd June and in Wanaka 26th and 27th June. Free to all SSNZ members.  Level 2 Race Officials course is in development for the end of the 2017 season.  3 Candidate TDs will be trained with the goal of qualifying in 2017.

Stop, Start, Continue Workshop

The Forum members were asked to individually contribute things which they feel SSNZ should stop, start or continue to do. These items were then grouped if they fell into common themes/points, and were discussed with the Forum members.

Stop

 Allowing schools race which are unsanctioned by SSNZ to be held. Some are run to unsafe and unfair procedures and would benefit from the oversight of a TD. Adi Bernasconi – The schools races not sanctioned by SSNZ are not run to the same health and safety standards. The ROCs do not benefit from race official training or admin support.

Start

 Increase visibility and raise awareness of the sport through posters for regional grassroots events. Michael Bushell -an example of the Mt Hutt Grassroots poster was presented (see below)

 U14 National Points Races run as 1 run races. Chris Mosaed – Hold 2 races per day Angus Rose - 3 races and best 2 runs count

 Approach more schools races regarding sanctioning e.g. North Island Primary and Secondary Schools Races Jono Howson - ask for an e-mail, and send out a welcoming message from SSNZ outlining everything the sport has to offer and contacts to the affiliated clubs. Don't require they join SSNZ at this stage. This would also apply to anyone bumping into ski racing from whatever source.

 National Training Camps for FIS Athletes (eg. Like the youth speed camp) Michael Bushell

 A sponsorship sub-group/taskforce for Alpine (Anne Barwood)

 ROC/Volunteer/TD membership categories. at the moment only recreational to choose (Jono Howson)

Continue

 Youth Development Camps  Coach and Race Official Education  Registration system and admin support

Open Forum Questions Workshop

The forum were asked to consider, in groups, questions that they needed addressed by SSNZ and the ASC. How do we get access to a more major source of funding for alpine? Background

With High Performance Sport NZ funding only available to athletes who can achieve world top 16 results, (HPSNZ wide policy across both summer and winter sports) Alpine is an incredibly difficult sport for athletes to obtain HPSNZ funding from.

Charitable Trusts and Foundations are open to applications from National Associations but stipulate what they are willing to fund and how it is to be spent. These tend to be in favour of capital expenditure, (timing equipment, gates, branding) but they do not typically allow for wages/salaries, travel and accommodation so funding to National Team members from these options is limited.

With Government and Charitable Trust/Foundation funding limited what are the options to attract more philanthropic donations and commercial sponsorships?

Adi Bernasconi, Hannah Hazeldine – the Slovakian/Canadian Podium Club Model where a donor can become a name sponsor at bronze, silver or gold level with benefits ranging from a heli ski day with the National Team to VIP experience at the World Championships. http://alpinecanada.org/donate/podium-club

John Harman – Fundraising Galas in Major cities e.g USSA http://foundation.ussa.org/foundation/new-york-gold-medal-gala

Hannah Hazeldine, David Wallace – the aim of the Snow Sport NZ Charitable Trust (coming in 2017/18) is to allow members/season pass purchasers to add a donation to the National Team to their purchases. E.g British Ski and Snowboard http://www.bssnf.uk/

Mario Hanausek – e.g. Austrian Federation use one insurance company to cover all of their members and in return for National Team Sponsorship. http://www.oesv.at/mitgliederservice/mitgliederversicherungen/index.php

Michael Bushell – A National Team could include staggered payment schemes. E.g. USSA model. Development Team is user pays, each tier above that receives incrementally more funding.

In order to be marketable to commercial sponsors the National Team must first be a saleable entity. Need to grow a brand, awareness and database of followers/subscribers to have the required influence to attract commercial businesses.

The responsibility of seeking funding for Alpine currently sits with SSNZ but is under resourced, can the ASC form a sub-group for funding?

How, when and why will the National Points system be used for youth racing?

Background - Hannah Hazeldine

When I took on the role of Alpine Manager 2 years ago the National Points system was not functioning as it was supposed to.

The National Points Lists were only being updated at the beginning and end of the season and they were not being used for race seeding. A racer could not improve their race start positions throughout the season unless by New Zealand Youth Series Cup Points. The NZYS points were added cumulatively after each race and used the World Cup Points weighting system.

This format was encouraging race chasing of NZYS points. Racers were prioritising racing over training, they were skiing slowly in order to ensure a finish, not risking skiing out and losing their score.

With National Points Lists updated every 2 weeks throughout the season the National Points seeding system is now working effectively with racers able to improve their start position throughout the season.

The New Zealand Youth Series Cup scoring system was changed to the best 3 out of 4 races in each discipline to encourage racers to ski fast and take risks. (This means that a racer winning 3 races and skiing out in 1 could be the cup winner, as opposed the old cumulative scoring system where someone placing 5th in 6 races would have scored the same points.)

Because of the World Cup Points system the NZYS Cup standings do not give us a representative scale with which to rank racers, as the score is not affected by the time gap between placings.

National Points take the best 2 scores in the season or the best 1 result +20% and the race penalty is reflective of their time. This meant it was a more objective measure by which to evaluate racers for selection to FIS Youth races.

With the focus now on National Points to secure a place at FIS Youth events the training methodology of risk taking and skiing to win has been put at the forefront and is being well communicated to the racers and parents.

However, it is still important to keep the NZ Youth Series Cup as it encourages the racers to attend a specific series of races which they might otherwise choose not to attend out of convenience/expense.

Strong competitors develop through strong competition between the regions/clubs. Otherwise a racer could remain a big fish in a small pond and not have the impetus to keep striving to be faster.

In 2017 National Points will be used for all selections for races/camps at the youth level. But selectors will also consider individual runs, coach recommendations/reports and athlete behaviour.