December 02, 2011 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) – The U.S. Olympic Committee and the New England Nordic Ski Association announced today that NENSA has been officially certified as a community sport group in the USOC’s Community Olympic Development Program. The CODP is designed to partner with National Governing Bodies for sport and community sports groups to provide opportunities for youth to participate in Olympic and Paralympic sport. NENSA is the eighth program in the U.S. to achieve CODP status.

Heading into its 17th year, the primary goal of the NENSA is to create a sustainable environment that promotes the athletic development of New England cross-country skiers, supports skiing organizations, and encourages the growth of the sport of cross-country skiing.

“By joining the exclusive ranks of CODP community sport groups, we can take our organization to the next level and provide even more programming for athletes of all ages and abilities.”

“Our mission at NENSA is to implement educational, recreational, and competitive programs at all levels of cross-country skiing,” said NENSA Executive Director Patrick Cote. “By joining the exclusive ranks of CODP community sport groups, we can take our organization to the next level and provide even more programming for athletes of all ages and abilities.”
The USOC has partnered with sport communities across the nation to help America’s youth receive the best sports development services possible. Launched in 1998, the CODP was created to address the needs of progressing athletes from the beginning stages of development to the elite level.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome NENSA formally into the Olympic family,” said USOC Director of Athlete Services and Programs Alicia McConnell.” “We’re incredibly excited to welcome NENSA formally into the Olympic family,” said USOC Director of Athlete Services and Programs Alicia McConnell.NENSA has done amazing work in New England to promote cross-country skiers and hopefully this designation and partnership with help them do even more.”

Other CODP community sport groups include: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta; Central Cross-Country Ski Association; Moorestown Weightlifting Club; San Antonio Sports; Springfield Greene County Parks and Recreation; Utah Athletic Foundation; and World Sport Chicago.

For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at 719-866-4529 or visit www.teamusa.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.