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Every 2 years the SSSA takes a team of pupils to represent Scotland and compete at the International School Sports Federation's Winter Games (ISFWG). This prestigious event, run by the ISF usually takes place in February and moves venue for each occurence.
For many of the selected pupils, this opportunity represents a real highlight in their snowsports careers and the SSSA takes real pride in supporting them to attend and represent their country.
Historically, Scotland has only entered a team into the Alpine disciplines (Slalom and GS) but for 2024 it is hoped that both the Snowboard and Cross Country disciplines can be represented.
NOTE: On 11th August 2023 we received a communication from the ISF indicating that the 2024 games are very unlikely to go ahead. Whilst we await final confirmation we will leave this page below unchanged.
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DATE + LOCATION: xx to xx February 2024 at xxx, xxx.
Please note the ISF winter games dates can often clash with the English Alpine Championships in Bormio. If this is the case for 2024, please do not apply for selection to the ISFWG team, if you intend to attend Bormio.
COST: Estimated £1500 base cost plus £300 for team kit, plus the cost of flights and any spending. The base cost includes:-
ISFWG entry fees
ISF food and accommodation for the duration of the games
ISF airport transfers
Team coaching costs
Please note that at this stage costs are estimated on previous year's events. Where the SSSA secures sponsorship for the Scottish Team this will be used to reduce the base cost or the cost of team kit. Note the SSSA is not in the business of making a surplus from this event, and every effort will be made to keep costs as low as possible for all competitors. If it is found that a surplus is generated after the event concludes and final accounts are drawn up, refunds will be issued back to competitor's families.
SNOWBOARD & CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS:
The SSSA is currently working with Snowsport Scotland to identify if there is scope for a Snowboard or Cross Country team to join the Alpine athletes and compete at the 2024 games. Once this is confirmed, details and a suitable entry form for these additional disciplines will be generated. In the meantime, all the below paperwork relates to the 2024 Alpine Team.
2024 ALPINE TEAM:
The Scottish Alpine Team will comprise 20 athletes in U18/U16 male and female categories. Being a "non alpine nation" Scotland is permitted to take a selection of pupils from different schools. (Alpine nations must select teams from a single school). Team places are therefore open for application by any accomplished alpine racers who attend Scottish Schools.
2024 ISFWG MANAGMENT TEAM:
HEAD OF DELEGATION & HEAD COACH: Ross Gardner
ALPINE COACHES: Craig Lamont, Hope Whitelaw, Ally Stang
HEAD OF ALPINE SELECTION PANEL: Mark Vinter
ISF LIAISON: James Paxton (email: info@sssa.co)
TEAM KIT PROCUREMENT: Heather Cowie
ISFWG SOCIAL MEDIA: Ossian Dickson
ISFWG TRAVEL & LOGISTICS: tbc
ISFWG SPONSORSHIP: tbc
All accomplished competitors meeting the below criteria are invited to apply for selection into the SSSA ISFWG Scottish Team.
Applications will open as soon as possible after 20 July and the entry form will remain open until to 25 August 2023.
CRITERIA
For the 2024 games applicants must:-
1. Be registered as a competitor with FIS and/or Snowsport Scotland and have experience competing on snow.
2. Have a year of birth 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2009
3. Be registered in full time education with a Scottish school or registered with a Scottish school though TEMPORARILY attending an overseas dedicated snowsports training academy
4. Be able to commit to the dates of the event and be happy to book their own flights and travel at their own cost
5. Be able to meet the estimated £1500 base cost, plus £300 team kit, plus flights and spending costs for the trip
All applications will be automatically acknowledged by return confirming your submitted data.
TIMETABLE:
1-7 SEPTEMBER 2023 - APPLICATION REVIEWS will take place by the selection panel. Each panel member will review applications using the selection criteria detailed below, to independently identify and nominate the 5 best candidates (plus one reserve) for each age/gender team.
8th SEPTEMBER 2023 - THE SELECTION MEETING will take place whereby all nominated athletes will be considered by the selection panel and a joint decision will be reached on the final selection of athletes and reserves.
10th SEPTEMBER 2023 - ATHLETE NOTIFICATIONS will be send out and successful applicants offered a place on the team. Selected applicants will have 48 hours to accept or decline their place. Should they decline the place, it will be offered to the reserves.
ANNOUNCEMENT: As soon after 10th SEPTEMBER 2023 as possible the 2024 team will be publicly announced.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The selection panel will base their selections on an athlete’s:-
FIS points (Slalom + GS + Super G)
BASS Points (Slalom + GS)
Head to head competition results
Athletes at similar levels will have head to head race and competition results compared to determine the stronger candidate. For clarity, the number of events attended is not a selection criteria.
Selectors will, at all times, consider athletes’ suitability to be a team member, justifying to themselves that the athlete will perform to their highest standards and they will be an ambassador for the Scottish Schools’ Snowsports Association, their own school, their relatives and most importantly themselves.
Selection Decision & Meeting Minutes:
All decisions at the selection meeting will be FINAL and non negotiable. On request, feedback can be provided for unsuccessful applicants.
Exclusion of connected persons: Any selectors on the panel that have a family member who has applied to the team will not be permitted to offer nominations or be involved in discussions of that age/gender category.
We hope everyone involved understands the need to set out clear criteria.
The SSSA ISFWG delegation includes a team of coaches that will support the team at the event. Coaches are paid, with all expenses covered except personal spending.
Four alpine coaches are required for the alpine team, one of which is the head coach, who is appointed directly by the SSSA committee. The head coach currently appointed to lead the coaching team is Ross Gardner who will act as head of delegation HOD.
The remaining 3 coaches are selected jointly by the SSSA Committee and ISFWG head coach from open applications and final ISFWG coach appointments are made in line with the SSSA ISFWG coach selection and appointment policy.
NOTE: As the proposed 2024 games are a reschedule of the 2023 cancelled Erzurum games, the same coaches will be taken in 2024 as were selected for 2023.
In future ISFWG years, experienced alpine race coaches are invited to apply using the form below. All applicants must be able to commit to attending the ISFWG in February. Applications close at the end of September and each submission is automatically acknowledged by email.
After application and selection is completed, all team athletes will be required to complete a series of 5 further forms linked below
Each form serves a different purpose, so athletes will find that certain pieces of information are requested more than once. Please be careful to complete all fields fully and accurately.
Please note that as well as these forms the ISF have their own consent form which will also require completion by each selected athlete.
U16 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
tbc
Coach: tbc
U16 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
tbc
Coach: tbc
U18 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
tbc
Coach: tbc
U18 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
tbc
Coach: tbc
In 2023 the games were planned to take place in Erzurum, Turkey but could not run due a tragic, last minute earthquake in southern Turkey. We still recognise the achievement of making team selection and celebrate those selected below.
U16 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
Angus Matheson
Ian Menzies
Michael McIntosh
Blair MacLeod
Alex McDonald
Luke Gallagher Reserve
Coach: Ally Stang
U16 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
Christina Dow
Kira Langmuir
Autumn Train
Ellie Morrison
Grace Cameron
Isabella Angus
Coach: Hope Whitelaw
U18 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
Freddie Horn
Fraser Baggaley
Sebastian Ackerley
Alasdair Macdonald
Bailey Ross
Coach: Craig Lamont
U18 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
Lauren Rae
Daisy Cowie
Kizzy Scott
Coach: Ross Gardner
In 2021 the games could not run due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We we still recognise the achievement of making team selection and celebrate those selected below.
U16 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
Fraser Baggaley
Ruaridh Blyth
Ryrie Hodge
Daniel Leitch
Murdo Watson
Frederick Horn
U16 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
Sophie Anderson
Maisie Morgan
Maidson Spence
Daisy Cowie
Christina Dow
Kizzy Scott
U18 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
Joe Grieve
Alistair Hall
Ross McIntyre
Joseph Mckay
Gregor Munro
U18 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
Ailsa Hay
Taylor Langmuir
Holly Mckey
Iona Ross
In 2018 the games took place in Grenoble and Scotland came away with some great results. Congratulations to all those selected below.
U16 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
Fraser Hunter
Jonathan Marshall
Robbie Anderson
Ross Nesbitt
Thomas Ward
U16 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
Andrena Grant
Holly Mckey
Iona Ross
Isla Ward
Shona Rankin
U18 MALE ALPINE TEAM:
Calum Shepherd
Christopher McLew
Scott Waitt
Scott Wylie
Tom Crockart
U18 FEMALE ALPINE TEAM:
Ciorstaidh Struthers
Eilidh Ryan
Katie Stuart
Tabitha Allan
Victoria McKinlay