SSA Futures Program

Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss

Helping to steer kids in the right direction

One of Ski and Snowboard Australia’s major in season programs is the Futures Pathways, an athlete development and talent identification program, aimed at kids with the talent and desire to progress.

Over the past winter the SSA ran programs across all Olympic disciplines with Mount Hotham hosting alpine skiing, ski and snowboard cross while Perisher was home to the moguls, freeski park and pipe sessions and the snowboard park and pipe sessions.

The Futures programs are coached by athletes on the current Australian team, giving the aspiring talent the chance to ski and ride with their heroes.

A good example of that were the Slopestyle and Pipe sessions in Perisher, the newest disciplines on the SSA program, which attracted 45 young snowboarders and 29 skiers to Perisher in mid-August.

Most kids would love the idea of two days of coaching from the likes of Russ Henshaw, Jordan Houghton, Nate Johnstone and Scotty James, but the coaches also reveled in the experience.

“The Futures Camp is a really important part of the next generation of Australian snowboarding,” said Nate Johnstone.

“It gives the kids the opportunity to ride with kids from all over the country and progress their snowboarding with like-minded talent.”

For Russ Henshaw it is another opportunity to not only give something back to the sport, which he already does with his Ride With Russ Day, but it something he really enjoys.

“It’s something I really enjoy and it’s a lot of fun,” said Russ. It’s really fulfilling being able to pass on some of the knowledge I’ve learned over the years and I’m stoked when I see the kids progress.”

The SSA futures pathway is held every season and the 2016 schedule will be posted on the SSA website at the start of next winter. Whatever the discipline, it is a great opportunity for aspiring snowboarders and skiers to gauge their potential in a fun environment.

“For the coaches it is an opportunity to help guide the next generation in the right direction,” adds Nate Johnstone. “To make sure they are on the right path to succeed.”

For further info: www.skiandsnowboard.org.au