JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT TOUR 2016-17 Information & Athlete Guide
AUSXC Junior Development Tour 2016-17 PROGRAM VISION The AUSXC Junior Development Tour is a 4-week international development program for athletes aged approximately 15-17 (born 1999-2001). The team for the tour will consist of a number of Australian Junior Team athletes together with other leading juniors from the state teams. Daily training and living arrangements will be coordinated by Australian coaches, with the athletes also having the opportunity to train and compete alongside athletes from the Canmore Nordic Club, one of Canada s leading clubs. At the end of the trip the Western Canadian Championships provide an ideal competitive focus for the team to work towards. The overall aim of the tour is to motivate and prepare athletes for the step up to World Junior Championships in the next 1-3 years. AIMS AND GOALS The specific athletic aims of the trip are: Increasing training time on snow; Improving skiing technique; Learning how to travel, train and race as a team Learning to manage fatigue, recovery and nutrition while on the road, and; Building cohesion with future National Team teammates. PROGRAM DATES Departure from Australia: December 26 Training in Canmore: December 27 January 18 Western Canadian Championship: January 19-22 Departure from Vancouver: January 23 LOCATION The primary training location for the tour is Canmore in Alberta, Canada, the home of the Canadian National Team and 1988 Winter Olympic competition venue. At the end of the tour the junior team will head to Whistler in British Columbia for the Western Canadian Championships, to compete on the 2010 Winter Olympic tracks at the Callaghan Valley. FACILITIES Daily training will take place predominantly at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The trails at Canmore have extensive snow-making, ensuring training possibilities in low-snow winters. COACHES and STAFF The lead coach for this tour is Chris Darlington, former National Team athlete and World Championships representative from 2009 and 2011. In addition to being an active and well-respected member of the Australian cross country skiing community, Chris is chair of the SSAXC sub-committee for Athlete Development. Behind the scenes Chris s wife Brooke Darlington, a former member of the Canadian National Team, brings additional high performance sport experience to the tour planning. Supporting Chris will be Tori Adams, coach of the Victorian Junior Team in 2016. Currently completing her Level 1 Coach qualification, Tori stepped up from the Victorian Development Squad coach role this year to lead the Vic Team at training camps alongside Robbie Catto-Smith. While in Canmore the team will also benefit from the experience of local Canmore Nordic Club coaches: Allison McArdle, Canmore Nordic Train to Train coach who led the Australian Team to the 2015 World Junior/ U23 Championship; Alain Parent, Canmore Nordic head coach and former Canadian Junior Team coach; and Matt decarufel, Canmore Nordic Learn to Compete coach. WHO CAN ATTEND? Athletes are invited to be part of this international tour on the basis of their results during the 2016 Australian winter. The first priority is for Australian Junior Team athletes. Athletes unable to race to their full potential in 2016 due to injury or other reasons will also be considered on recommendation from the state team coaches. ATHLETE REQUIREMENTS All athletes will need to read and sign SSA s Athlete Agreement for training camps and tours. It is also recommended that athletes undertake physical screening via an endorsed physiotherapist, and if there are any concerns a medical screening from the National Team doctor may be required. ACCOMMODATION When in Canmore the team will stay at the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge in self contained apartments: Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge, Canmore, Alberta 711 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 1L7 Canada For the Western Canadian Championship the team will stay with the Canmore Nordic Team, details to be advised. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED Athletes will need to bring skis, boots and poles for both Classic and Freestyle, and ideally also have separate sets of skis for racing and training. A full clothing and equipment checklist will be distributed directly to the program participants.
TRANSPORT Flights will be coordinated by SSA XC program staff, with all flight expenses to be paid directly by the athletes and their families. Land transport will be coordinated by team coaches and included in the tour fee. FOOD The team will be self-catering for the major part of the tour, with shopping and cooking coordinated by the team coaches. The cost of food is included in the tour fee. COMPETITIONS The Western Canadian Championship at the Callaghan Valley near Whistler is the primary competition for this tour. Coaching and waxing support for these races will be provided in partnership with Canmore Nordic. PROGRAM FEES The estimated total athlete expenses for the tour is $4,500, excluding air fares and insurance. A deposit of $1,000 will be required in October. The final athlete fee will be dependent on funds raised via the XC Towards 2018 project, which has a component set up for donations to this Junior Development Tour. A tax deductible donation up to a maximum of approximately $3,000 (based on 8 athletes and 2 coaches on the tour) can be donated by the families of each tour participant. The tour fee includes the following: Coaching Management & Supervision Accommodation Food (excluding personal snack food) Land Transport Waxing Trail fees and race entry fees FLIGHTS Flights will be coordinated by SSA XC program staff, with all flight expenses to be paid directly by the athletes and their families. Recommended flight dates/times will be distributed directly to participants. OTHER INFORMATION Any other relevant information will be distributed directly to the registered participants. CONTACT Primary contact for tour finances and pre-trip logistics: Finn Marsland 0408 147 940 finn.marsland@gmail.com Primary contact for coaching related questions and during the tour: Chris Darlington 0475 975 114 cdarlo@hotmail.com Tori Adams 0401 299 385 torza@live.com.au Ski & Snowboard Australia 03 9696 2344 info@skiandsnowboard.org.au SSA Accounts accounts@skiandsnowboard.org.au This excludes flights and travel insurance, which should be paid directly by the athletes and their families. An additional 2% applies to payments via credit card or via the online system. To avoid this fee it is possible to pay SSA via direct debit, include the athlete name and AUSXC DEV on the transaction description. UNIFORM Athletes should bring national or state team lycra and warm-up clothing if they have it. The possibility of having a special Tour warm-up jacket supplied is being investigated. INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION As this tour only includes the Western Canadian Championship and no other FIS competitions, only normal travel insurance is required.