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 scholarships, which in 2011 will send one skier and one snowboarder, selected from Interschools Snowsports Championships competitors, to Big White Ski Resort and Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada for two weeks training with the Interschools Canada and Australian Race Camps programmes.
A selection committee of representatives from NSW and VIC Interschools, Mountainwatch.com and NSWIS will select the two recipients, who will be announced at the final Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships presentation at Perisher on September 12.
Please read the frequently asked questions below for details.
Good luck to all the Interschools competitors!
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 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?
- Depart Australia January 15, 2011
- Welcome Reception January 16
- Training @ Big White January 17 - 21
- Training @ Silverstar January 24 - 28
- Depart Kelowna January 29
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
- Return airfares with Air Canada
- Accommodation, lift tickets and associated costs
Travel insurance is highly recommended
Scots Collage, overall Interschools School Champions 2009. Photo:: John Adams
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 in September at Perisher resort in NSW.
Where will the program be located?
For 2011 the program will take place at Big White Ski Resort and Silver Star Mountain Resort located in British Columbia, Canada. The athletes will be flown into the nearby airport of Kelowna where they will be transported to the resort for a welcoming reception.
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 and travel are set 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.stpierre@coastalwatch.com
Partners:
www.bigwhite.com
www.skisilverstar.com
www.aircanada.com
