National Schools Snowsports Squad
What is the Squad?
When we started the NSSA, we were asked by many people if we would be running a squad for some of the kids. We resisted initially but soon came to see the benefit of a squad, selected in a fair and totally transparent way so this is what we did.
How and when do we select the squad?
Our programme director has been involved with numerous national teams and squad selection committees and we feel that it’s important, especially at the schools level, that the children, teachers, parents etc. have full visibility of how the squad is selected, using a selection policy with clear and transparent selection criteria published for all to see. This means that athletes know exactly what they need to achieve in order to be invited to the squad. There are no ‘behind closed doors meetings and the criteria are clear for all to see.
If a racer wins a medal in one of our qualifying events (These are listed in the event entry and on our social media at the beginning of each academic year) they are invited to take part as a squad member.
What is the required commitment?
some In order to plan and to know we have a critical mass of squad members on a camp, we ask that all those who wish to take up their places on the squad commit to one UK day and either one alpine camp or a Landgraaf camp during their tenure as a squad member.
In order to keep these camps as accessible as possible, and to ease demands on time off school, we run during school holidays.
We also give the trainees a choice of camps to allow as many as possible to access this great opportunity.
Examples of Squad camps
January – Squad Alpine Camp
February – British Schools Alpine Champs Camp
February – Half Term Squad Alpine Camp
March/April – Easter Squad Alpine Camp
May/June – Landgraaf Camp
2022 – 23 Eligible Events
The events from which we will select the squad for 22-23 are below.
- English Schools Indoor Open Champs – April – The Snow Centre
- National Schools Leagues Final – May – Gloucester
- British Schools Indoor Open Champs – June – Chill Factore
- National Schools Northern Indoor Champs – Sep – Chill Factore
- National Schools Southern Indoor Open – Sep – The Snow Centre
- National Schools Outdoor Open – North. TBA
- National Schools Outdoor Open – South, TBA
- UK National Schools Outdoor Open – Swadlincote
Please note
Please note – For the above events, if less than 150 competitors, medals will be given for individuals from 1st to 3rd place in the individual competition. For Events with 150 or more competitors, medals will be given from 1st to 5th place.
We also run some closed national champs for schools organisations. Due to the closed nature of these events and the fact that we have an inclusive selection criteria, we cannot select from these closed events. We will, however, dependent on numbers, offer status of ‘Invited to Train’ to medallists in these events.