Each level is divided into physical and mental skill components. The components in this programme create a foundation necessary to commence the development of the complete athletic skier and ski racer.

Within each component is a set of benchmark tasks that the skiers need to practice to perform proficiently. When the coach feels the skiers have been given time to perceive and pattern the task, the coach will carry out an assessment for that task.

Training and achieving these benchmark tasks will lead the skier through the necessary building blocks that suit the "Windows of Trainability" for this phase of growth and maturity.

While the levels are an important tool and guideline for coaches as well as a benchmark for athletes and parents we recommend that this does not become the focus of the programme.  At the Snow Stars age level the major focus of the programme is personal development and FUN!

 1.       FUN-damentals    Nancy Greene Husky Snow Stars Ages: 5-9 years 

·         Practice and master fundamental movement skills before sport specific drills are introduced.

·         Emphasize the overall development of the athlete’s physical capabilities, fundamental movement skills and the ABC’s of athleticism: agility, balance, coordination, and speed.

·         Emphasize motor development to produce athletes who have better trainability for long-term sport specific development.

·         Introduce basic flexibility exercises.

·         Develop speed, power and endurance using games.

·         Encourage participation in a wide range of sports.

·         Develop linear, lateral, and multi directional speed with the duration of repetitions less than 5 seconds.

·         Include strength-training exercises using the child’s own body weight. [ET1] 

·         Introduce children to the simple rules and ethics of sport.

·         Introduce fun competitive skill environments.

·         Ensure that activities revolve around the school year and are enhanced by multi sport camps during holidays.

·         Participate once or twice a week in the ski programme but ensure participation in other sports 3-4 times a week to ensure future excellence.

 2.      Learn To Train Nancy Greene Husky Snow Stars Ages: 8-11 years 

·         Further develop all fundamental movement skills and guide general, overall sports skills.

·         Develop strength using exercises that incorporate the child’s own body weight as well as medicine balls and Swiss balls.

·         Introduce hopping and bounding exercises or routines, to aid in strength development.

·         Further develop endurance through games and relays.

·         Further develop flexibility through exercises.

·         Further develop speed by using specific activities that focus on agility, quickness and change of direction during the warm-up.

·         Structure competition to address differences in training age and abilities.

·         Identify sports that the child is predisposed towards success. Narrow the focus to three sports.

·         Single periodization.

·         Apply a 70% training to 30% competition ratio. Skillfully combine skill training within a fun competition environment.

·         Encourage unstructured play and scrimmage.

3.  WSRC NGR Snow Stars Development Race Team

This category is open to those racers who would like to experience a higher level of race training but are not old enough to move up to the K1 age category.  If your child is interested in this level of training we recommend you consult with the NG coaches.  

Skiers’ Responsibility Code

Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers.

Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the Code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.

1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Overview of Nancy Greene Husky Snow Stars Programme for 2009-10

Regular Day Training Times

Saturdays       : 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sundays          : 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

NGR ONLY

Friday Night Training commences January 8, 2010, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Due to the early start time Friday evening, please join in whenever you get to the hill.  

Please ensure your athlete has a lift ticket/ski pass and all equipment on and ready to go in front of the lodge (bottom of Rosebowl) at 9:25 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. so groups can go up the lifts at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Slingshot Events and Volunteering

WSRC, Martock, and Ben Eoin will potentially be hosting Slingshot Races. These are fun races and a team event, so we encourage as many parents as possible to support our Snow Stars by entering their athletes in the races.

 We will need parents to assist with our one-day event by volunteering to help with the BBQ lunch, registration, gate keeping, bib collecting etc.

Please watch for an email to advise of these dates and mark your calendar early. Support your child when asked to volunteer.

Camps

Christmas Camp:           December 28-30, 2009

March Break Camp:      March TBD, 2010 (will be posted on website)

It is very important that parents advise if their Racer(s) will be attending Christmas and/or March Break camps. This advance notice will allow our coaching staff to plan and ensure there will be a sufficient number of coaches on hand to facilitate the camps and provide proper coach to athlete ratios. To avoid the disappointment of being turned away, by showing up the day of the camp without warning, please pre-register with Madelyn or Julie Ann. Names of registered athletes will be forwarded to the coaches and a spot will be guaranteed.

Two-Day Programs:

Athletes registered in two-day Nancy Greene Snow Stars Programs (NGII) can participate in one camp without additional charge. NGII racers can join the second camp for a fee of $90.00 for three days. Fees for athletes in Nancy Greene Race (NGR) cover both the Christmas and March Break camps.

If your racer will be participating in the Christmas Camp, it is imperative that you confirm attendance by December 10, 2009. Two-day athletes have first priority for camp space however, they must pre-register.

One-Day Programs:

The one-day Nancy Greene Snow Stars Program (NGI) does not include either the Christmas or March Break camps; however, one-day athletes can attend these camps on a user-pay basis.

If your one-day athlete would like to participate in one or both camps, we will endeavour to include them– on a first-come-first-served basis and depending on coach availability – for a fee of $90.00 for each of the three day camps.

Registrants will need to register and prepay the fee by sending a cheque payable to Wentworth Ski Racing Club to:

Julie Ann Wilton

1251 Shore Drive

Bedford NS

B4A 2E7

A Typical Day…What to Bring to the Ski Hill Each Day

A typical day in the Snow Stars program starts by meeting your group and being ready to ski five (5) minutes before each morning and afternoon session starts. The first run of every morning and afternoon will be a warm-up run to “get the blood flowing” and to make sure the skiers are alert on the snow.  Typically, drills and individual ski improvement takes place in the morning and the techniques are applied in free skiing during the afternoon session. Occasionally there will be obstacle courses and fun races set up for the coach to take their athletes through.

If the hill is open, programs are on! It is very important that racers always have at least one extra pair of gloves that is accessible to them at all times (located in the lodge where they can find and reach them if needed).  Dressing for the weather is very important. Neck warmers are a must on cold days – coaches will assign frostbite buddies in their classes. A change of clothes is always recommended if it is going to be raining. 

We ask that parents arrive at the bottom of Rosebowl on time to pick up their racer for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and at the end of the training day at 2:30 p.m.

Questions, Concerns or Complaints

We ask that all questions, concerns or complaints be directed to the Director of the Nancy Greene Snow Stars Madelyn Kundzins. This will serve to keep Madelyn informed of all situations and give her the opportunity to appropriately deal with your concerns.

While we encourage parents to become acquainted with the coaches, engaging coaches during training hours with any of the above tends to be time-consuming and keeps coaches away from the planned activities/schedule. Our mission is to allow the coaches the benefit of coaching your child 100% of the time, both on and off the snow, during the scheduled class time.

Coaching Staff

Enthusiastic and well-prepared Coaches and participants play an integral role in the success of the program. Your Racer will be assigned a coach as soon as all registrations are in. This coach will be happy to discuss the skiing/training component of the NGSS programs. To maximize your Racer’s time with their Coach, please approach the coaches only at the end of the training day or by e-mail. Coaches are available to discuss any questions or concerns relating to your skier’s development, progress, or performance. Please allow the coaches 24 hours to respond to any e-mail as most of them attend university or hold full-time jobs. 

As noted above, all other questions, concerns or complaints should be directed to the Director of the Nancy Greene Snow Stars Madelyn Kundzins.

Parents’ Role

Encouraging constant activity in many other sports is one of the most critical gifts you can give your child.

Ski club programs typically take up only a few months of the year. However, for children at these ages, without the involvement of regular activity in sport programs for the remainder of the year, a significant window of opportunity will be lost, compromising the ability of the young athlete to reach full potential.

As with all of your child’s endeavours, you are the key source of support and encouragement for your young Snow Star. From the moment of registration to his or her final graduation from the program, you can follow along with your child’s achievements through the "Husky Snow Stars Achievements" booklet.

An understanding of the principles of Snow Stars and the AIM 2 WIN tools will enhance your understanding and communication with your child’s coach and club program.

It is equally important for Snow Stars participants to be properly equipped before beginning the program. Please speak with your child’s Coach for suggestions on equipment needs, sizing, and selection.

Email addresses

All outgoing correspondence will be via email. If you have a change, deletion, or addition please advise Julie Ann Wilton at nightingale@accesswave.ca

Send as many email addresses as you like, both parents home, and work, as well as your racer’s address.

1  If your athlete is a one-day Saturday racer, your racer is still eligible to race at the Sunday Slingshot events. In fact, we welcome as many of our Snow Stars Racers as possible.  2  If there are athletes who are in the two-day program or are Sunday-only athletes and wish to remain in Wentworth instead of traveling to Martock for the race, then coaching will be available at Wentworth.  3  The NGSS programs are all 8-week programs run over a 9-week period to account for any time lost due to hill closure.

Contact Information

NG Husky Snow Stars Parent Representative                                    

Madelyn Kundzins

Hubley, NS                                                    

Phone:    (902) 830-2605

Email:  madelynk@eastlink.ca

Club Administrator 

Julie Ann Wilton

1251 Shore Dr                        

Bedford NS B4A 2E7

Home:  (902) 835-1515                      

Cell:     (902) 497-9292