BC Adaptive Snowsports launch initiative to identify adaptive snowsport athletes
BC Adaptive Snowsports, in collaboration with their member clubs and Alpine Canada, today announced the launch of a new initiative designed to identify and support adaptive snowsport athletes across British Columbia. In doing so, BC Adaptive Snowsports will form a Provincial Athlete Identification Team comprised of trained volunteers.
“The initiative is designed to establish a formal network of ‘scouts’ through our community adaptive snowsport clubs across British Columbia”, explained Corinne Risler, Athlete Development Manager, BC Adaptive Snowsports. “Together, these ‘scouts’ will constitute a team of volunteers trained in identifying athletes with the desire and talent to race. Our Provincial Athlete Identification Team will ensure local support is available to our athletes, as well as the opportunity to train with National coaches.”
“BC Adaptive Snowsports and their community clubs do a great job providing opportunities for individuals to experience adaptive snowsports. Inevitably, some of these individuals want to race and dream of competing for Canada at world para events and at the Paralympic Games”, added Mark Newton, Para-Alpine Athlete & Sport Development Manager, Alpine Canada. “It is our as collective role to cultivate these dreams and provide local and provincial coaching and training opportunities for these aspiring athletes. Having a province-wide network of volunteers who can advise athletes during their initial stages of race development is an important initiative. We are very pleased to support BC Adaptive Snowsports in implementing this program.”
BC Adaptive Snowsports will announce the club volunteers who will form the Provincial Athlete Identification Team by the start of November 2021. At that time, race opportunities for athletes will be announced, including the BC Adaptive Snowsports’ All Mountain Camp and Alpine Canada’s new Carving the Future program (https://alpinecanada.org/community/carving-the-future).