2016 SSA Para-Snowsport Futures Program WHAT IS IT: WHO IS IT FOR

THE 2016 SSA PERISHER para- Snowsport program

AUGUST 13-14

Featuring National Team Head Coaches, Paralympians and National Team Athletes

SSA Futures is a Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA) athlete development and talent identification program. SSA Futures has a vision to identify the next big talent in snowsports, while enhancing the opportunities and resources for athletes in the SSA athlete pathway. SSA Futures programs aim to: • Introduce developing athletes to elite sporting opportunities and elite sports people • Increase knowledge of the athlete pathway, selection criteria and the various opportunities, resources and programs available to Australian snow sports athletes • Establish a consistent and unified approach to athlete development • Engage National Team athletes and programs in pathway development initiatives • Provide athletes with superior technical coaching and performance opportunities • Encourage involvement in SSA domestic ski/snowboard events • Bridge the gap between Interschools competition participation and involvement in seasonal SSA Pathway Programs SSA FUTURES: PERISHER PARA-SNOWSPORT SESSIONS

The SSA Para-Snowsport Futures is a Talent Identification (TID) initiative by SSA with support from the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC). The program seeks to provide opportunities for potential elite athletes to transfer their talent to para-alpine or para-snowboard, whilst verifying the potential of para-snowsport athletes currently in the pathway.

The program will invite selected athletes based on pre determined criteria to have their potential to achieve high performance success verified by experienced coaches and support staff. National High Performance Coaches, Christian Geiger (Para-alpine) and Lukas Prem (Para-snowboard) will be running the program with support from National Team Members Joany Badenhorst, Ben Tudhope, Simon Patmore and Tori Pendergast. National Classification will be provided as part of the program for athletes with a physical impairment. Athletes with a vision impairment will be required to arrange provisional or national classification in advance through the Australian Paralympic Committee as outlined at www.paralympic.org.au/vision-classification/”

The program will involve sessions both on-snow and off, with elements of training, education, skill development, testing and fun racing, whilst having the opportunity to work alongside our para-alpine and para-snowboard National team athletes. ON SNOW ACTIVITIES

On-snow activities will consist of participants being taken through blocks of basic technical drills, gate training, an informal race and basic progressions. Participants will have the opportunity to develop fundamental skills under the tutelage of experience coaches, whilst having exposure to the courses and training environments that our National Team athletes utilise. The on-snow training will also form part of the national classification process, with participant required to perform certain drills and movements. OFF SNOW ACTIVITIES

Off snow activities will include an education session, introducing participants to the opportunities and pathway for Australian Para-snowsport athletes, should they wish to pursue high performance success. Information will be provided on talent identification/ talent transfer, the SSA High Performance Para-programs, classification, how to access competition opportunities, funding and support and what is involved in pursuing Paralympic representation. Part of the national classification activities will also occur off-snow and will involve a series of physical tests.

Paralympians and National Para-snowboard Team athletes Joany Badenhorst and Ben Tudhope at the IPCAS World Cup in Big White (CAN) earlier this year.

Page 2 2016 SSA Para-snowsport Futures Program WHAT IS IT: WHO IS IT FOR:

• 2 Day Talent Identification, Development and National SSA will select 10 athletes based on applications received and Classification Session run by SSA for potential talent in with respect to the broad criteria as listed below. Para-snowsports • Hosted at Perisher Ski Resort and the Jindabyne Sport Criteria for participation includes, but is not limited to; and Recreation Centre • Having a National Provisional Classification or evidence to • Featuring Paralympic and World Class coaches & athletes suggest participant will be eligible for Paralympic sport • Depth of field in classification or likely classification • Attendance at previous DWA activities, including race week INCLUDES • Previous sport history in relevant sports such as • Technical Training skateboarding, waterskiing or surfing • Talent Identification Opportunities • Previous high performance sport experience (for talent • National Classification transfer candidates) • Educational and Motivational speeches • Demonstration of required skills (through video or • Information Sessions otherwise) • Equipment Setup education • Age • Total number of days skiing/boarding (recreational or otherwise) WHEN IS IT: • Physical considerations (including fitness, healthy lifestyle choices etc) • Saturday, August 13 - Sunday August 14. • Personal and performance psychology considerations • The SSA Para-winter Generic Selection Factors* WHERE IS IT: There is a limited number of spots available, which will be allocated upon discretion of SSA and the coaching staff. High • Perisher Ski Resort, NSW level technical ability is not a prerequisite, however, safety for the • Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre, NSW individual and group is always the priority with these activities so some basic proficiency must be present in participants.

*Included in the SSA Pathway Framework linked as further FACILITIES: reading The on-snow component of the program will take place at Perisher, most likely at Blue Cow. Training will be run in a closed off area where gates and other training apparatus will COACHES/ STAFF: be available for athletes to utilise. • Annie McCormack – SSA Sport Programs Coordinator Off-snow activities will take place at the Jindabyne Sport and • Christian Geiger –SSA Para-alpine Head Coach Recreation Centre at the Club Rooms opposite the Tennis • Lukas Prem – SSA Para-snowboard Coach Courts and the bottom end of the facility. • Leanne Rees - Classifier • Ben Sui - Classifier • Fiona Peat - Classifier • Joany Badenhorst – Para-snowboard Paralympian and EQUIPMENT: World Cup/ World Championship Medallist • Benjamin Tudhope – Para-snowboard Paralympian and X- All participants must provide their own equipment including Games Bronze Medalist the following: • Simon Patmore – Para-snowboard National Team Member • Helmet (compulsory) and World Cup Medallist • Required adaptive equipment/ personnel (ie. sit ski, • Victoria Pendergast – Para-alpine Paralympian outriggers, VI guide, appropriate prosthesis, etc) • Skis/ snowboard • Ski/Snowboard Boots • Ski Poles (Skiers only) • Waterproof Outerwear Pants and Jackets • Goggles • Winter Gloves • Thermals • Backpack with water, snacks and spare clothing • Gym clothes for off-snow sessions

If an athlete requires specific adaptive equipment they can source this through Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA). In order to access DWA equipment, participants must be a current financial member of and contact DWA in advance.

Contact: Tom Hodges Phone: 0415 923 509 Email: [email protected] Patrick Jensen (B3) competing in an IPCAS race in Park City with Web: http://www.disabledwintersport.com.au/ guide Max Hough.

2016 SSA Para-snowsport Futures Program Page 3 ACCOMMODATION: COST:

Participants will need to source their own accommodation There will be no cost to participate in this program. for this program. It is recommended that accommodation is sought for at least Friday and Saturday night in the The SSA Para-Snowsport Futures Program is being supported Jindabyne locale. If you require any assistance in booking by Ski & Snowboard Australia and the Australian Paralympic accommodation, you are recommended to contact program Committee via a generous sport development grant provided coordinator Annie McCormack who will be able to assist. by Alan Dean, a long term supporter of Para-snowsport in Australia. A subsidy of up to $200.00 will be provided after the completion of the program upon submission of WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: accommodation receipts. • Transport • Accommodation • Equipment LIFT PASS: • Food

Lift passes to Perisher will be provided to participants for those that do not already have an Epic Australia Pass or regular lift Support GRANT OPPORTUNITY ticket. At the completion of the SSA Para-Snowsport Futures, coaches and support staff will discuss with participants FOOD: individual pathway opportunities moving forward, should they be identified as having high performance potential. This All participants are required to bring their own snacks, lunch may include such things as facilitating international program and water up to the mountain each day. placements, individual performance planning assistance and guest SSA Para-wintersport program opportunities. As part of identifying and supporting individual high performance pathways and fast tracked development opportunities, SSA TRANSPORT: through the generous support of the APC and Alan Dean will be offering up to $5000.00 in direct athlete scholarship grants. Transport to and from the training facilities at Perisher and the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre will not be provided. More information about this will be provided during the You will need to organise your own transport. If you cannot pathway information session on Day 1. organise transport, please contact Annie, who may be able to assist in arranging car pool options with other participants. HOW TO APPLY:

Please go to http://www.skiandsnowboard.org.au, and follow the links to the SSA Futures Page (from the ‘Pathway’ tab) to be directed to the application form. Applicants are encouraged to submit video footage to support their application. Any video footage should be hosted online and the link should be sent through to Annie McCormack.

Applicants will be required to download, complete and submit a “Wintersport Classification Expression of Interest” form as part of their application. This should be sent via email to [email protected].

Please note: Applications, including the Classification Expression of Interest Form must be submitted by no later than Friday 15th, July.

Page 4 2016 SSA Para-snowsport Futures Program APPROX. DAILY SCHEDULE:

DAY 0 - Friday August 12

6:00PM - Optional meet and greet at the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre to meet the coaches, other participants and to discuss the program including any classification requirements needing to be addressed.

DAY 1 - Saturday August 13th DAY 2 - Sunday August 14th TIME: LOCATION: ACTIVITY: TIME: LOCATION: ACTIVITY: 7:30am Bullocks Flat Catch Tube through to Blue Cow 7:30am Bullocks Flat Catch Tube through to Blue Cow 8:30am Blue Cow On Snow Warm Up Basics 8:30am Blue Cow Athletes Warm Up on Snow 10:30am Blue Cow On Snow session 9:15am Blue Cow Course Inspection (Race) 12:00pm Blue Cow Lunch Break - Travel to Jindabyne 9:45am Blue Cow Talent ID Race - Run 1 1:00pm Jindabyne S/R National Classification 10:15am Blue Cow Talent ID Race – Run 2 Para-snowsports Pathway Training Session, Skills Information Session/ Q&A With 10:45am Blue Cow Assessment and on-snow 6:00pm Jindabyne S/R National Team Athletes and classification activities Coaches 12:00pm Blue Cow Lunch Break 7:00pm Day 1 Complete

1:00pm Blue Cow Afternoon Skills Session

2:00pm Blue Cow Futures end FURTHER READING:

We encourage prospective participants to familiarise themselves with para-winter sport and the opportunities available within the SSA High Performance Pathway before they apply for the Futures program. Please find below links to assist with directing you to the relevant documents.

What is Para-alpine? What are the disciplines and classes? What are the eligible classifications? What do I need to do to prepare for National Classification?

Please follow the link below to further reading to assist in understanding the sport of para-alpine further. www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/paraalpine

What is Para-snowboard? What are the disciplines and classes? What are the eligible classifications? What do I need to do to prepare for National Classification? CONTACT: Please follow the link below to further reading to assist in understanding the sport of para-alpine further. Annie McCormack www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/parasnowboard Ski & Snowboard Australia P +61 3 9696 2344 What is the SSA Para-winter Athlete Pathway, Australia’s E [email protected] Wnning Edge Athlete Categorisation and SSA Para-winter W www.skiandsnowboard.org.au Generic Selection Factors? www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/pathways

What is the SSA Para-winter Program - Selection Criteria and Performance Categorisation? www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/para/rules-and-criteria/

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