Wangaratta High School Newsletter

Wangaratta Snow Sports Youth Development Inc

Cross Country ski program for terms 2 & 3, 2024.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

 

Dear parent/ guardian,

 

Your child has expressed an interest in joining our group over the coming year.

 

This is a rare opportunity to introduce students to Cross Country skiing and Biathlon.

 

History:

This is our 8th year of operation. We follow in the footsteps of the very successful program at the Wangaratta High School, which continued for about 30 years. 

 

Our program is run by parents of past and present students:

Coaches: Robert Findlay, Matt Flanagan, Peter Dewez.

 

What is it?

Our mission is to introduce secondary school students to Cross Country Skiing (skate and classic techniques), to develop skills, camaraderie and, above all, to have fun. We will also introduce students to Biathlon (XC skiing and target shooting).

 

We run a Roller ski program in Terms 2 and 3 – essentially XC skiing on wheels – to learn the skills.

 

In term 3 we aim to run three 2 - 3 day  “on snow” camps, and several single day events participating in various individual and team competitions, for skiers at all skill levels.  Attendance is flexible, recognising time and financial constraints. 

 

Our skiers range in skill level from novice to intermediate, and no prior experience is required. However, some past students have achieved great success competitively at state and national levels with a small number skiing internationally for Australia. 

 

Where?

Roller skiing starts at the Wangaratta Netball courts, HP Barr reserve, on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:45pm to about 5.30pm. We will then use one or several other venues to provide greater challenges as skills improve. 

 

We aim to run a single 3 day trip, based at the Wangaratta Ski Club at Mt Hotham - skiing at Wire plain and on surrounding groomed XC trails, and two 2 day camps staying at Howman’s Gap where we use the extensive network of groomed trails at Falls Creek. We may also run a single day “spring ski” in September. Individual and team competitions may also be entered and are encouraged. The Biathlon course is at Whiskey Flat, near Mount Hotham.

 

Costs:

Membership is $100 per person or $150 per family per year.

 

This covers all costs – tuition, ski and roller ski hire, boots, and poles, waxes etc.

 

Snow trips: Resort entry fee, shared travel expenses (typically $60 pp if not travelling in own car). 

 

For the overnight trip at Wangaratta Ski Club, accommodation and food costs are payable, (Food costs typically $15 pp per day). Accommodation costs to be confirmed, but usually about $20 pp per day for students, adults $75 pp per day. This camp runs in the first week of the June/July school holidays.

 

The ski camps at Falls Creek will cost in the region of $220 for each weekend per person (Friday evening to Sunday) including bunk-room accommodation, breakfast and dinner. Attendance for one day only is an option. These camps will run in Term 3.

 

Competition entry fees vary and will be advised in due course.

 

Parental involvement

We encourage, welcome and indeed need parent and family involvement with transport and organisation at training sessions and on trips,  etc. On ski trips, your involvement is particularly important, whether or not you can ski. If you would like instruction (skiing or roller skiing), your involvement will be even more enjoyable (and perhaps challenging). There is no charge for parental/ family instruction.

 

In addition, we need parents to take on roles in the committee, either as a general committee member or in a specific role such as secretary, treasurer etc. Most activity occurs from March to September, and none of the roles are arduous. General committee members provide us with valuable input and are very important. So please jump on board early and offer your assistance. Our AGM will be held in mid June.

 

Equipment.

You will be required to supply a bike helmet, gloves (eg leather rigger or gardening gloves) and knee guards (although we have a supply for initial sessions). Elbow and wrist guards are strongly recommended. We supply roller skis, skis, boots and poles at no additional cost. These are for our group’s training sessions, trips or competitions, NOT for private use.

 

Winter clothing.

No expensive ski suits required. Almost always, you will have adequate clothing at home and we will advise carefully on this in due course.

 

Insurance.

We share an insurance policy with a number of smaller ski clubs through Ski Cross Country, Victoria. This provides public and professional liability insurance but not personal insurance.

 

Please let us know if you will be joining our group.

We would, of course, be delighted to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. 

 

 

For further information please contact: