Image:: Steve Cuff
Two talented young Interschools Snowsports athletes will be heading off to Canada in January with the inaugural Mountainwatch.com Interschools Snowsports Scholarships.
Wanting to support developing skiers and snowboarders, Mountainwatch.com created the scholarship offering an opportunity for one skier and one snowboarder to train at Big White Ski Resort and Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada for two weeks. Athletes are selected from the Interschools Snowsports Championships and will train in conjunction with Interschools Canada at Silver Star and the Australian Race Camps program at Big White.
A selection committee comprised of representatives from NSW and VIC Interschools, Mountainwatch.com and NSWIS will select the winners. This year's winners will be announced Sunday, 11 September at the conclusion of the Subaru Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships to be held at Falls Creek, VIC.
Please read the frequently asked questions below for details.
Good luck to all the Interschools competitors!
Newport Public School - 2010 Overall NSW Female Primary School Champs. Image:: Hot Shots
Mountainwatch.com Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mountainwatch.com Scholarship?
The Mountainwatch.com scholarship is a grass roots initiative helping to foster athletic development within snowsports targeted at the Australian Interschools level. The Australian Interschools Snowsports is an integral part of athlete development. This year Australia witnessed unprecedented results at the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Championships taking three gold medals and one bronze across slopestyle, snowboard halfpipe and ski cross. All four athletes along with Olympic gold medal holder Torah Bright began their competitive careers through the Australian Interschools Snowsports.
The Scholarship aims to recognise athletic potential and provide the opportunity for talented young skiers and snowboarders to develop as elite snowsports athletes through an international training programme. In 2010 two scholarships will be awarded, to one skier and one snowboarder, chosen from participants in the Interschools Snowsports Championships events.
When will the program take place?
The programs run through January from Monday to Friday.
*Monday 2nd - Friday 6th January
*Monday 9th - Friday 13th January
*Monday 16th - Friday 20th January
*Monday 23rd - Friday 27th January
What will the scholarship cover?
All major costs will be covered and those costs include:
- One week training at Big White Ski Resort
- One week training in Silver Star Mountain Resort
- Accommodation, lift tickets and tuition
Travel insurance is highly recommended
Liam Michael of Balgowlah North Public School, NSW, 2012 Mountainwatch Interschools Snowsports Scholarship Winner, Skiier.
Liam with his sister - Image:: Don St.Pierre
Maddy Alexis of Pittwater House, NSW, 2011 Mountainwatch Interschools Snowsports Scholarship Winner, Snowboarder.
Image:: Don St.Pierre
Charlie Comben of Merijig Primary, VIC 2011 Mountainwatch Interschools Snowsports Scholarship Winner, Skier.
Image:: Don St.Pierre
Who selects the athletes?
The Mountainwatch.com scholarship selection panel is made up of the following;
- NSW Interschools Representative
- Victorian Interschools Representative
- NSWIS Winter Sports Program Coaching Coordinator
- Mountainwatch.com Representative
How are the athletes selected?
The Mountainwatch.com scholarship selection panel will look at several key factors including but not limited to results alone. The nominees will have demonstrated athletic aptitude, potential, positive attitude, integrity, perseverance and good sportsmanship.
Who is eligible?
Recipients must not be current or past members of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, NSWIS or VIS or be a sponsored athlete in excess of $1,000 per annum. Recipients must be current Australian residents. Athletes must participate in the 2010 Interschools Snowsports Championships and athletes of all ages will be considered.
What snowsport disciplines will the selection be made from?
The Mountainwach.com scholarship selection panel will look at all Interschools Snowsports disciplines and skill sets the athletes hold within those disciplines. The scholarships will go to the skier and snowboarder that best display the qualities listed above, in either one or multiple disciplines. Athletes do NOT have to compete in all disciplines of their chosen sport (skiing or snowboarding) to be eligible,they may be outstanding in one particular discipline or demonstrate aptitude across a variety of disciplines.
When are the athletes selected?
The athletes will be announced immediately following the presentation on the final day of the Australian Interschools Championships to be held at Falls Creek on Sunday, 11 September.
Where will the program be located?
For 2012 the program will take place at Big White Ski Resort and Silver Star Mountain Resort located in British Columbia, Canada.
Big White Village.
Silver Star Mountain Resort. Image: Silver Star Mountain Resort.
Who will be looking after the athletes?
The athletes will either be looked after by the local race club or billeted out with local families arranged by the local race club. All appropriate supervision will be provided.
Can parents go?
The parents are encouraged to attend and arrangements can be made for accommodation at the best possible rates. Assistance can be made available for a parent who is willing to attend and help look after the athletes.
Are the dates of the program flexible?
The dates of the program are set out as described above and cannot be altered.
What if my child is unable to attend?
If a child is unable to attend for any reason the Mountainwatch.com scholarship selection panel may decide to offer the scholarship to the next athlete considered. No details will be made in advance as to who the alternates are.
Enquiries contact: Don St Pierre | don@mountainwatch.com
Calendar & Results
Partners:
www.bigwhite.com
www.skisilverstar.com
www.snowpro.com.au
www.interschoolscanada.com.au
