Press information: 25th June 2013 Snowsport England welcome Clubs and Facilities to Loughborough to maximise opportunities around Sochi 2014 Thursday 6th June saw over fifty snowsport club and facility representatives from across England travel to Holywell Park, Loughborough to attend the third annual conference organised by the Snowsport England. The 2nd year of the conference saw the biggest attendance to date with strong representation from a wide range of snowsport industry delegates including disability clubs, alpine, nordic skiing, freestyle, outdoor and indoor slopes. The main focus of this year’s conference was direction and discussion around how to maximise opportunities in the lead up to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. As well as invaluable brainstorming sessions around how facilities and clubs will be able to take advantage of Sochi 2014, there were motivational and informative speeches from a range of speakers including David Meli, CEO of Handball England and Paralympian Anna Turney. David Meli talked about how Handball England had benefited from London 2012, pre and post event, and the challenges they faced with a sharp increase in the interest of their sport, and “I don’t do defeat” were the strong words of motivational Paralympian Anna Turney who highlighted the key aspects of what an Olympic Games means to an athlete. As Sochi 2014 draws closer a large focus of the day was helping to shape a new Snowsport England initiative called ‘Slide 2 Sochi’ which is a roadshow which will visit many of the UK’s slopes and indoor snow centres. The Slide 2 Sochi roadshow will tour England and give residents a chance to come down to their local slope and give snowsports a go. Many new ideas for the roadshow were also explored at the conference including event days, taster sessions, demonstrations, family fun days and celebrity appearances. The dates for the Slide 2 Sochi roadshow and what people can enjoy will be available in the late summer. Chief Executive Tim Fawke commented on the event: “The conference was a big step forward this year and we had a fantastic turn out from all the facilities and clubs around the country. It was great to see so many people from the Snowsport Industry working together to try and promote snowsports” Lord Sebastian Coe gave his support to the conference and the drive to maximise the opportunity that Sochi 2014 will bring: “As the Government’s Olympic & Paralympics Legacy Advisor, I am pleased to hear that Snowsport England are using the enthusiasm and lessons of the London 2012 Games to drive participation and performance in the lead up to Sochi 2014 and inspiring more people to get involved in skiing and snowboarding. In the same way that Jess Ennis and Ellie Simmonds have inspired us all following 2012, Sochi 2014 can inspire the next generation of Winter Olympians such as Amy Williams and Chemmy Alcott. It’s important that we that we maximise use of all our facilities and resources to get people active in sport. I hope all the attendees at the Conference are inspired by what they hear today” Feedback from those attending the conference included, “I left feeling so inspired”, “Bring on the Slide 2 Sochi Roadshow” and “I cannot wait to start planning our Slide to Sochi roadshow”. A number of clubs and facilities have already signed up to the Slide 2 Sochi roadshow and those not already signed up are still able to do so. For more information on getting involved email victoria.crampton@snowsportengland.org.uk
The success of the event, scheduled to run again in 2014, underlined Snowsport England’s commitment to getting more people into snowsports. The planned Slide to Sochi roadshow will complement Snowsport England’s new national participation programme GO SKI GO BOARD which will offer lessons, taster sessions or recreational slope time at affordable prices for those new to snowsports or wanting to try skiing or snowboarding again. Ends For further information please contact Victoria.crampton@snowsportengland.org.uk Attached – Images of the Snowsport England Club and Facility Conference 2013 Attached photo caption: Anna Turney talks of her inspiring “Journey” and what Sochi 2014 will mean to her. Editors notes: SSE thanks exhibitors including TechMat 2000, Crystal, BASI, ProSlope and MK Enterprise with special thanks to TechMat 2000 for kindly donating a Snowboard on the day. Snowsport England is the national governing body for snowsport in England www.snowsportengland.co.uk or www.facebook.com/SnowsportEngland. GO SKI GO BOARD is available to clubs and facilities www.snowsportengland.org.uk/goskigoboard