September 25, 2008 – Apologies for the less professional appearance of this newsletter. Our regular editor and publisher Bill Thompson was involved in an incident with other Team Hardwood folks on his bicycle and broke a few things. We expect him back in action soon and wish him and our Team Hardwood friends a speedy recovery.

Chair’s Message

I trust that you have had an enjoyable summer and are busy preparing for this up and coming ski season. I am looking forward to an exciting year in cross country skiing in the Southern Ontario District with many large planned events including NORAM and Nationals.

As the board begins to plan for this busy year, it is imperative that each club attend the Annual General Meeting at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon on October 4 starting at 2 pm to understand the processes of club management and development in Southern Ontario.

Each club is able to provide programs that are tailored to their needs, but does each club realize the value Southern Ontario District is able to provide to make our clubs more effective? This past year Southern Ontario District as an incorporated entity has applied successfully to obtain provincial grants to help purchase state of the art timing equipment and also orienteering equipment. Southern Ontario District which is a member of Cross Country Ontario has been fortunate to piggy back on additional grants that has directly benefitted SOD with the purchase of presentation equipment, training sessions and para-nordic equipment. Grants are also available to individual clubs through Ministry of Health Promotion’s Community In Action Fund and CCO is offering to help clubs to write the grants.

The SOD board meets monthly and each chair brings a report of updates to their respective committee. The board has a communications person, Bill Thompson, who tirelessly works on assembling newsletters. These newsletters are filled with valuable information to help make our clubs run efficiently and staying current on issues in cross country skiing. The vehicle (newsletter) is a valuable asset but the distribution mechanism has hit a road block. We are in need of knowing from each club who is the ‘go to’ person to distribute the newsletter and to have this person pass on to each member of their club. Much of the confusion in communication would be alleviated if this valuable newsletter was shared. There is no copyright so please pass along.

Larry Sinclair, Alan White, Peter Lothian, Richard Lamoine and Mike Dyon have been working at Highlands Nordic in preparation for Nationals and NORAM. In this newsletter, Alan will address the need for volunteers and training courses for officials during the early part of fall.

Katja Mathys our coaching development coordinator has assembled three training courses for the Cross Country Canada Introduction to Community Coach and Community Coach workshop courses to be held in various locations around Southern Ontario. As well, the National Coaching Certification Program has made it public that coaches interested in obtaining their Level 3 Theory courses has until Jan 1 2009 to complete as the course will no longer be available. Istvan Bayli the author of the Long Term Athlete Development model will be Ottawa on October 4 to present on the Training to Train workshop on yearly planning. More information can be found on Cross Country Ontario workshop. Yours in skiing, John Cowan.

Call for Volunteers

Highlands Trail Blazers is hosting two major races this winter at Highlands Nordic, Duntroon, Ontario. Athletes from across Canada and from the Eastern USA will be competing in the races.

– NORAM/O-CUP, December 20 – 22, 2008
– Canadian Championships, March 7 – 15, 2009

The events require many enthusiastic volunteers. Regardless of your experience with Nordic races, there is a role for you. Enjoy the fun! See the excitement! Tell a friend! Bring a buddy! Volunteer!
On-line skinationals.com
E-mail volunteers@skinationals.com
Phone (705) 444-6959

Training courses are being scheduled, and the NORAM races will allow you to practice your new skills prior to the Nationals. Please register on-line at cccski.com for the Race Officials Training Courses; details on other training courses will be provided to the volunteers prior to each session.
– CCC Officials Training, Level I, October 19, 2008 at Highlands Nordic
– CCC Officials Training, Level II, October 25, 2008 at Highlands Nordic
– Timing Officials Training, November 1, 2008 at Highlands Nordic
– Officials Training

For those with no prior training in Competition officiating Cross Country Canada Level 1 Competition Officials training is scheduled for Highlands Nordic, Duntroon for October 19, 2008. This course describes the general format and organization of a cross country ski competition and cover Rules 101. The seminar will run 08:30 until 5:00 and registration (and limited pre course study) is achieved by logging on to the Cross Country Canada web site and select Officials Training on the top row of the screen. Register yourself and apply for the course. Wthin a day the course conductor will ‘authorize’ you on to the course. Course fee is $35.00 payable on attendance and you will need to bring your own lunch. Any issues please email alanwhite2001@rogers.com

For those with prior training and experience a Level 2 session is planned for October 25/26 at the same location. Level 2 training is designed for those with some experience who now wish to step up to a leadership role in the planning and conduct of a cross country competition. Registration process is the same as for Level 1.

Course fee is $70 plus $30 if you do not provide your own Officials Manual, Competition Regulations and Technical Package for National Championships. All these documents can be found on the above mentioned website under the Officiating/Event Management.


Annual General Meeting at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon on
October 4 starting at 2 pm

• Ministry of Health Promotion’s Community In Action Fund
• CCO is offering to help clubs to write the grants.
• Check here for details

Coaching Courses
Workshops: New NCCP Competency Based System

ICC (Introduction to Community Coaching)

September 26/27, 2008 – Port Elgin/Andrew Mason: aamason1@lakeheadu.ca

December 6 – Duntroon/Jenny Marlatt: jackrabbit@xco.org

CC (Community Coaching)

November 29/30 – Duntroon/Jenny Marlatt: jackrabbit@xco.org

For future dates and locations check upcoming newsletters at www.xco.org

Workshops: Previous NCCP System

Level 2 technical will no longer be offered.

Level 3 Theory

This is the last year for Level 3 theory. If there is anyone considering completing level 3 certification in the previous system you must take the theory course this year. Otherwise you’ll have to wait until the new system is developed.

Level 3 Technical: There won’t be many offered in the future.

Level 3 Technical Part 1: September 27/28 – Thunder Bay/Patti Kitler: patti@xco.org