June 26, 2016 – The National Winter Sport Association (NWSA) was established through the foresight and donation of the Disbrow family. This generous support of the NWSA is aimed at assisting coaches, athletes and competitive racing programs in Canada; the long-term goal is focused on boosting and sustaining Canada’s performance level and ranking at the international level.

Remi Briere (Fondeurs-Laurentides) © CCC

During the past eight seasons, the NWSA funding has contributed over 1.4 million dollars to enhancing the delivery of high performance club programs and assisting athletes with financial assistance. The NWSA’s platform of support has a primary target to help professionalize and expand Canada’s network of cross-country ski coaches who can lead quality high performance club programs. The NWSA is also committed to allocating some funding support to selected developing athletes who demonstrate potential towards long-term international level development.

(l-r) Guy Metayer (Skibec), Alain Masson (Whitehorse/CCY), Luke McGurk (Rocky Mountain Racers), Ron Howden (Team Hardwood), Alain Parent (Canmore Nordic), Dave Wood (Black Jack Ski Club), Kieran Jones (Nakkertok) © CCC

The NWSA is very encouraged with the outcomes of their support for clubs and athletes and is pleased to award three athletes and eleven clubs a total disbursement of $150,000 for the 2016-17 season.

The Association’s order of priorities for funding assistance includes:

1. The hiring of full time professional coaches to lead year round athlete development programs. The coach is required to adapt an inclusive approach to Cross Country Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Guide, “Cross-Country Skiing – A Sport for Life.”
2. Advancing the education of professional coaches and cross-country ski racers who want to become professional coaches; this may include assisting them in their education at the National Coaching Institute (NCI), NCCP Certification or other career enhancing opportunities.
3. Funding assistance for athletes who have demonstrated athletic excellence at the national and international level.

• Organizations & Athletes Selected for Funding:
•   Clubs:
  • Whitehorse Ski Club
• Nakkertok Nordic/Nordique
• Black Jack Ski Club
  • Skibec Nordique
• Rocky Mountain Racers
• Team Hardwood
• Fondeurs-Laurentides
• Canmore Nordic
• Big Thunder Ski Club
• Revelstoke Ski Club
• Club de ski de fond Montériski
• Athletes:

Alexis Dumas                       Skibec/PHTC

Ryan Jackson                       Team Hardwood/ Jr NST

Gareth Williams                    Telemark Nordic Ski Club/ Jr NST