The National Schools Snowsports Association
Sometimes a sport like skiing can seem like it is not an option to even consider trying.
We are so excited to tell you all that it’s available to everyone because The National Schools Snowsports Association (NSSA) wants to help more and more schools and young people to take part in snow sports!
Whether you’ve never skied or tried snowboarding before, or you’ve already tried the sport and want to do more, they offer competitions and activities in alpine and freestyle.
Their indoor events have been taking place for 8 years and in 2019 they had over 1000 participants from 250+ schools! They also run events in the summer with 450 children at each one.
Their plan is to work with more and more organisations within British snowsports, along with a growing network of schools, to introduce training grants, bursaries and further offers for both individuals and school teams or squads.
They are already partnered with the Ski Club of Great Britain and linked to Snowsport England, which gives membership to all NSSA member schools.
Several of their participants have gone on to the National Schools Squad and beyond to Home Nations squads!!
So, what are you waiting for?
How do you and your school get involved?
The Alpine All Stars
Starting in January 2021 and open to all school age children, the Alpine All Stars plans to get more children involved in snowsports.
From beginner to a basic competitive level they will teach a group of beginners from one school per slope and work with them for regular sessions throughout the school year.
The scheme will be free of charge for the selected schools and they are asking for schools to apply for places on the programme.
It’s designed to take children from non-skiers and give them the tools to enjoy the sport and stay involved The plan is to create a larger number of children skiing or snowboarding and wanting to continue with the sport.
NSSA Programme Director, Phil Brown said: “….this programme is all about putting more children on skis or a board. First and foremost, we want to make snowsports a fun and enjoyable experience for children and give them a passion for the sport to last a lifetime.”
“Drawing kids to the sport at an early age will develop more participants, create more fans and show the power of snowsports in developing physical and social skills.”
To apply on behalf of your school, please contact office@schoolssnowsports.co.uk.
The National Schools Race Leagues
Open to all school age children, the Race Leagues will run regularly at numerous venues around the country:
Stoke Ski Centre
Suffolk Ski Centre
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre
Rossendale Ski Centre
Brentwood Ski and Snowboard Centre
Swadlincote Ski Centre
Sandown Park Ski Centre
Silksworth Ski Centre
Tallington Lakes Ski Centre
Welwyn Ski Centre
Aldershot Ski Centre
At each slope taking part, a course will be set and marked*. Then approximately once every 5 weeks, the NSSA will run 2-3 sessions at the slope on the same day. Sessions will be 2 hours long and include coaching.
During each session, a small group of racers will attend and run training with coaches and 3 timed runs. These timed runs will be recorded and used for the final results. The League finals will take place in the summer term.
They do not restrict entry to schools with a minimum number of racers. We allow single racers from a school to take part as we are aware that some schools just do not have enough skiers to form a team.
The leagues are £25pp per event to enter which includes the first hour of coaching, followed by the three timed runs toward the league result. Equipment hire from each centre is included in the entry fee.
For further information, please see here or contact the NSSA on office@schoolssnowsports.co.uk
What’s next? Schools Instructor and coach Qualification Opportunities
As part of the NSSA mission to increase participation across snowsports in general through involvement with schools, they are pleased to announce that they have partnered with IASI to offer the Level One Alpine Instructor Qualification from 15 years old.
They also offer the UK Coaching Pathway Level 1 with Snowsport England which can be taken at 15 years old.
These are great opportunities for those who have taken part in snowsports through their school, to use the skills and experience in a positive way to give further options….whether this is to work at a local snow sports centre to earn extra money through university or college or the first step in a snow sports career!!
