The Nancy Greene Ski League and Development League is an entry level program for children aged 7 to 10 years old. Kell Antoft founded this successful program in 1968 after Nancy Greene won gold at the Grenoble Olympics. The Nancy Greene Ski League operates all across Canada; it is Ontario’s largest ski program. Many of Ontario’s brightest ski stars began their career as a young Nancy Greene racer.
Emphasis focuses on fostering a love for the sport while developing the FUNdamental skills required to becoming a competent skier. The Nancy Greene Ski League and Development League may incorporate the Alpine Canada Husky Snow Stars program. This seven step program will guide children, parents and coaches through the appropriate skill progression.
Many clubs run both a Nancy Greene Development Program for ages 7 & 8, and a Nancy Greene Ski League program for ages 9 & 10. Each individual club will set up the league to best manage their participants. Alpine Ontario also offers a variety of skill camps (see Skills Camps tab for more information) to help provide additional time on snow and development opportunities to athletes. In addition to spending many days on snow – young athletes are encouraged to develop their athletic skills by participating in a variety of others sports throughout the year.
No timed 'awards' are distributed at Nancy Greene Ski League events nor does Alpine Ontario does post NGSL race races on its website. Parents and coaches are encouraged to read the AOSD League rule book and be familiar with the FIS ICR rules (see related documents on this page)
Equipment
Selection of equipment at this level is very important. Boots must fit properly to ensure the foot does not move around creating a loss of feel and pressure points. The boots must also be flexible enough to allow the ankle to bend. If the boot is too stiff the child will be unable to move the ankle and will have little feel and limited ability to adjust their balance. Skis should be suited to the child's weight and ability; most manufactures provide a sizing chart as a reference. You should establish a good relationship with a retail store, work with a consistent, knowledgeable salesperson and consult your child's coach or club's Head Coach when making equipment decisions.
AOSD Invitational Events
In Alpine Ontario South (AOSD) several clubs host NGSL Invitational Individual events. Included are a Family Day (mid-February) event where each club is given the opportunity to send its top Nancy Greene age (9 & 10) racers. This day typically includes a stubbie slalom race with a fun dual and skill stations.
Devil’s Glen ski club, in the Collingwood area, hosts the annual Mastermind Nancy Greene Invitational event during the March Break. This GS and Slalom 2-day event provides an opportunity for committed young ski racers to race in an individual format on challenging terrain. In addition there is a Paneled Slalom race at the Georgian Peaks Ski Club, located in Thornbury, after the March Break. This event is open to both Nancy Greene (9 & 10) and K1 athletes.
Results from these events will be used in consideration for any selection for the Nancy Greene age group. Information on these events for the 2009 season will be distributed to the clubs and circulated on Raceline. Contact your clubs race administrator for more information.
ACA HUSKY SNOW STARS PROGRAM
The Husky Snow Stars 7-step Alpine Canada Alpin program encourages the development of skiers and ski racers of all ability levels in a fun and rewarding environment. Enthusiastic and well prepared coaches play an integral role in the delivery of this program by combining coaching creativity with the Snow Stars resources.
The Husky Snow Stars program is a skill development tool for young skiers designed to guide the child, coach and parent through a progression aligned with the Long Term Skier Development Plan (AIM 2 document link here).
As outlined in the ACA AIM 2 Document optimal motor skill development takes place primarily between the ages of 5 to 12. For this reason the program is aimed generally at young skiers from entry Level to the end of K1. The program provides clubs and coaches guidance through the early “Windows of Trainability” where it is critical to carry out the “Right Athletic Development at the Right Time”. The goal of Husky Snow Stars program is to provide a solid foundation and knowledge base – physical, technical, tactical and mental – upon which to build children’s athletic abilities.
Husky Snow Stars Kits are available by ski club request through the AOA office and include: (kits are sent to clubs each fall upon request)
• Husky Snow Stars Achievements booklets
• Trophy cards
What should my ski club be doing to participate in Snow Stars?
• Club representative will need to inform AOA of how many Achievement booklets they will need.
• Clubs will need to determine the details of their program such as who will do the evaluation (it may be the athlete's coach, a head coach or some other appropriate person within the club) and the frequency of evaluation.
HUSKY SNOW STARS FESTIVAL
Each AOA Division hosts a festival for their entry level skiers with the support of AOA and the ACA Husky Snow Stars Programs. This fun filled day includes skill stations and activities to challenge the skills developed in the Snow Stars program.
For more information on the Husky Snow Star program please contact your head coach and or the AOA office at 705-444-5111 or aoainfo@alpineontario.ca
PROGRAM REGISTRATION: Program registration is done through your home club not the AOA website.
AOA/ACA MANDATORY WAIVER REGISTRATION: Athletes must complete the on line MEMBER WAIVER each year in order to compete in any AOA sanctioned event.(see MEMBER SIGN-IN tab) No racer shall complete in any AOA event without this waiver. If you are unsure if you have a membership profile with AOA please check with your home club.
AOA SKILLS CAMPS: Racers are encouraged to attend skills camps to further develop their skills and increase their days on snow. Skills Camp information is listed under the Programs section.
SKILLS CAMPS REGISTRATION: Registration for the AOA camps is done via the AOA website under the Events Tab.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: All NGSL parents are strongly encouraged to become involved and join Alpine Ontario as general members. Parents are also encouraged to participate in an official’s certification program so that they are able to understand race formats and rules and volunteer at events. Visit the officials section on the website for more details on how to get involved.