Contents Directors, Staff & Committees Page 2 Chairman’s Report Page 4 CEO Report Page 7 Committee Reports Alpine Page 9 Cross Country Page 11 Freestyle Page 12 State Reports Australian Capital Territory Page 13 New South Wales Page 16 South Australia Page 18 Victoria Page 20 School SnowSport Development Foundation Page 21 Optus Australian Ski Awards Page 23 Financial Reports Page 24 Directors Report Page 24 Balance Sheet Page 30 Profit and Loss Page 31 Notes forming part of the statement Page 32 Statement by Directors Page 35 Independent Audit Report Page 36 Skiing Australia Limited Rialto South Tower Level 32, 525 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9614 2644 Fax: (03) 9614 7423 Email: [email protected] 1 Directors, Staff & Committees Directors CHAIRMAN Hugh Whan BOARD MEMBERS Andrew Evans Dean Gosper Suzie Graham Steve Loader Gary Plovanic Rod Read Chris Solly Shane Wood Staff CEO Steven Potts (from June 1999) OPERATIONS MANAGER Sally Jones (from July 1999) NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Andrew Slocombe Chairman of Discipline Committees ALPINE Cliff Mason CROSS COUNTRY Tony Greville FREESTYLE David Frydman SNOWBOARDING Bob Monahan 2 Chairman’s Report Hugh Whan The sixth year of Skiing Australia has again been a year of considerable change, including the appointment of a new CEO and an Operations Manager. One of the major highlights for the year was the management of our first World Cup Aerials event, where Skiing Australia was responsible for the event operation. Another significant change was the establishment of the School SnowSports Development Foundation as a separate but closely linked entity of Skiing Australia, to manage the Victorian Interschools competition and other School SnowSports development programs. Financial Performance The organization has produced a surplus of just on $40,000 for the 1998/1999 financial year, which represents a considerable turnaround from the previous year’s $180,000 + deficit. This result achieves the goal set by the new Board for the organization to trade at break-even or a small surplus for the 1998/1999 year. Our goal for the 1999/2000 year is to achieve a significant reduction in our historic debt level, which will then allow the organization to focus future surpluses on increased funding for athlete development programs. Directors intend to achieve this surplus by continuing to focus on our core event management and fund raising activities developed during the year whilst maintaining a close watch on costs and overheads. Sporting Performance and Programs The 1998/99 year was again a spectacular year for Australian skiing performances, with Zali Steggall and Jacqui Cooper both producing World Championship gold medal performances and Jacqui also winning the overall World Cup. Zeke Steggall made sure that he also had a trophy for the family mantelpiece taking bronze in the World Boardercross Championships. In the AIWS’s first full year of operation, naturally we could not have hoped for a better outcome for our elite athletes. The vision shown by Rino and Diana Grollo, Geoff Henke and the previous Skiing Australia Board in establishing our elite programs in this fashion is now the envy of many skiing nations. The support of the AOC and the AIS, in particular John Coates and John Boultbee has ensured the future success of these programs. I am sure that I speak for not just skiing but all winter sports in recognizing this initiative as the major Australian winter sports legacy from the 2000 summer Olympic Games. Finally, congratulations to all our sub-elite skiers and snowboarders who are working towards selection to the AIWS and ultimately Olympic Team selection for 2002 and beyond. 3 Philips Mobile Phones World Aerials The 1999 Philips Mobile Phones World Aerials was postponed due to unseasonable weather conditions and rescheduled for the 11 and 12 September 1999. The postponement of the event was only made possible by the cooperation of our major sponsor Philips Mobile Phones, the International Ski Federation (FIS), Buller Ski Lifts, the Mt Buller Resort Management Board, the commercial accommodation providers at Mt Buller, the competing teams and the Seven Network, demonstrating a strong determination on the part of all stakeholders to ensure the event was held. Team Buller and Buller Ski Lifts worked tirelessly in the weeks leading up to the event, with teams of volunteers trucking snow to the jump site. 28 of the world’s best aerials skiers, representing 12 nations, gathered at Mt Buller on September 11 and 12, for the first two rounds of the 1999/2000 FIS World Cup. The weather was spectacular and the outcome could not have produced better results, with Australia’s own Jacqui Cooper winning both events. Ski Awards Dinner The Ski Awards Dinner was held at the Wentworth Hotel in Sydney and was an outstanding success. It was wonderful to see some of the key figures within the skiing community recognized. Skier of the Year was jointly awarded to Jacqui Cooper and Zali Steggall. World Cup Club The World Cup Club is continuing to grow from strength to strength. The donations received provide local and overseas training, coaching and travel opportunities for the next generation of World Cup winners. During the 1998/99 financial year a total of $30,000 from the World Cup Club was contributed in support of Skiing Australia Development Programs. Australia has won 72 medals in World Cup competition, through to the end of this reporting period. Therefore, potential membership has been increased to 72, with new members admitted on a yearly basis, depending on World Cup Medals won for the year. Information on the World Cup Club and its tax deductible status can be obtained from the Skiing Australia office. FIS World Congress We are eagerly looking forward to hosting the year 2000 Congress of the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS). The biennial Congress, the 42nd in the history of the organization, will bring over 1000 delegates from more than 100 nations to Melbourne in May 2000. We are honoured to have the opportunity to host this most important event on the international ski calendar and recognize Geoff Henke for his enormous contribution as Chairman of the Congress Organising Committee. 4 Skiing Victoria – Victorian Division of SAL As foreshadowed in last year’s Annual Report, Victoria now has a strong, enthusiastic and focused team of people to represent Victorian snowsport participants, with a number of representatives from the previously recognized entity (Victorian Ski Association) accepting an offer to participate on the expanded Skiing Victoria Committee. The Chairman of Skiing Victoria, Joel Dixon, has worked tirelessly to bring about this reconciliation of snowsports administrators in the State and he and his Committee should be commended for their efforts. Communication To spearhead communications with our athletes, Skiing Australia is producing an Athlete Pathways document for each discipline to help improve the communication flow for the sport and enable all stakeholders to identify their role in the development of our winter sport athletes and the responsible program operators. Skiing Australia is seeking feedback and participation by all relevant parties in the development of these pathways. The Athlete Pathways document for each discipline will ensure that: • Resources are focused on the development of credible athletes. • Stakeholders are aware of their role and position within the national structure. • Athletes are aware of their defined athlete pathway. • “Black Holes” which currently exist in the pathways are identified and addressed. We look forward to completing this consultative process as we move towards the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Along with this, the Skiing Australia Internet site, www.skiingaustralia.org.au was successfully launched. Throughout winter 1999 the site kept members and interested parties up to date with events, results, snow reports, calendars and other matters of winter sports interest. Summation This reporting period is the first full year of management under the changed Board of Directors elected at last year’s Annual General Meeting. Our goal of achieving a balanced budget for the 1998/1999 year has been achieved. With limited resources, we have also provided financial assistance to our athlete development programs and established our credentials in running a successful World Cup event. Our thanks to Steven Potts and his staff for their efforts over the past year – much has been achieved with limited resources. However, in order for the sport to reach it’s full potential, Directors believe we must continue to focus on our core activities and set objectives which are achievable within the resources available to the organization. We continue to be encouraged by the broad support and assistance given to the Board by our National Discipline Committees, resort owners, our sponsors and importantly, the vast army of volunteers who contribute their time and effort for the love of the sport. I look forward to the year 2000 bringing a highly successful snow season for all involved in Australian skiing. 5 Chief Executive Officer’s Report Steven Potts The continued success of Australian Snow Sports Athletes have provided many memorable highlights throughout the year. Internationally Australian Athletes made their mark at the 1999 World Championships, with the crowning of Zali Steggall and Jacqui Cooper as 1999 World Champions and Zeke Steggall with a Bronze Medal. The results were just as impressive during the Australian Winter with Jacqui Cooper becoming the First Australian to win a World Cup Gold Medal on home soil. During 1998-1999 Skiing Australia reviewed it’s operations and core business. As part of this review Skiing Australia assumed the role of event organizer for the 1999 Philips Mobile Phones World Cup Aerials; established the School SnowSports Development Foundation to coordinate the School programs and activities in Victoria; launched the Skiing Australia Web Site and revamped the membership package with support from all of the major Resorts.