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U16/U18 Development Committee
Meeting Report 5/1/15
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Members in attendance: John N., Tyler T., Todd T, John P., Jeff J., Jeff
W., Bob O., Jim H.
- Steve M. (partial - call in).
Members absent: Steve Jackson
Other: Kathy O., Connie W., Dave S., Chuck S., Rich B., David S.,
Travis W., Mark S., Maren H., Inigo D., Tim M.
This meeting was the first official meeting of the newly combined U16/U18 committee. One month earlier (4/1/15),
members of the original two development committees met in a pre-planning meeting to discuss the season and how
we wanted to address the planning of the 2015-2016 season. During this meeting, it quickly became clear that while
the majority felt that U16s and U18s should continue racing together more often, it was unclear as to how to go
about planning when a conflict in governance over the same series would occur. We made a formal proposal to the
NYSSRA Board that they consider the combining of the two committees into one development committee of 9-11
members (including chairperson John Norton) with various working groups as needed. At a minimum, there would be
each a U16 and U18 working group to deal with age specific issues (Tyler Travis will head the U16 group and John
Przekop will head the U18 group).
In the 5/1/15 meeting, much valuable and productive discussion was had. Generally, the committee felt that we
received clear and consistent feedback from the coaches/programs around the state (through discussion, forum,
etc.). This was to schedule less races than in ‘14-’15 and allow for the ability for coaches to manage individual
athletes as they see fit with a simple qualification to post-season events. We spent time reviewing what was
discussed and passed at the most recent Eastern ACC and Development meetings the previous weekend and the
motions that will be brought to the Alpine Sport Committee in Park City in mid-May.
As a general concept, we decided to move forward with scheduling racing for U16s and older in the 2015-2016
season with a combination of regional (East/West), invitational (such as Empire State Winter Games), and agespecific state qualifiers or championships (i.e. U16 States and U18 States or similar). The Empire Cup Series will
continue but not as a method of post-season qualification - state championships will serve as the primary selection
method for each age group to Eastern Champs/Finals. The Empire Cup Series scoring will include U16s and be used to
determine season-long performance and awards.
On the heels of that discussion, we reviewed the venues we raced at during the season and while we all acknowledge
the importance of scheduling at various mountains around the state, the committee feels strongly that we need to
site events appropriately and on challenging terrain, particularly when it comes to invitational/championship series.
We also discussed opportunities in which Kathy O. can help in athletic development by running camps, both on and
off snow. As the calendar develops, there will be a review of the NYSSRA Team criteria and how it may change with
the evolution of U16/U18 racing. We will work closely with the Racer Support Committee to establish this criteria and
a matching level of financial support.
Finally, we discussed the importance of consistency within the age groups (from U10 through U21) in the state and
how we should align in policy whenever possible. With specific regards to athlete development, we talked about the
importance of pushing the ski length (particularly for GS) in the U12/U14s and how time spent on longer skis, while
frustrating for some in the short term, will pay huge dividends in the long haul. More often than not, athletes gain
comfort on the longer ski within a couple days and they learn they have to be diligent and precise in their skill use they can’t cheat! Additionally, we feel it’s important that athletes in these age groups are pushed to more
challenging/varying course sets on changing terrain. Continuing to have skill-oriented learning and assessment
environments is hugely important - we are only just recently seeing the long-term benefits of the skill assessment
programs that have been implemented in the last few years. The coaches, athletes and parents should be applauded
for supporting these learning environments and encouraged to continue this support.
While there was plenty of great discussion and ideas, we still have plenty of work to do to be ready for 2015-2016.
We will be finalizing our calendar blocks then reaching out to sites to host over the next few weeks. Simultaneously
we’ll be working with Kathy to review our camp schedule and potential learning environments for the U16s and u18s
as well as reviewing the NYSSRA Team criteria and other age-specific policies outlined in the manual. We look
forward to managing a system within NYSSRA that allows each U16 and older athlete the best opportunity to grow
and succeed in ski racing.
Respectfully submitted,
John Norton, for the U16/U18 Development Committee