Dear BC Alpine members and volunteers, thank you for another great year!
We have a lot to be excited about as we wrap up the 2018/19 season. BC Alpine’s membership grew to an all-time high of 6,256 registered members. This is a 5% increase over last year and we have seen growth or stable numbers in all programs across the board. Well done ski clubs!
BC clubs hosted 67 successful events this year. They included 102 slalom races, 82 GS races, 10 SG races, 2 downhill races and 58 duals, SX/ team events or other fun competitions. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
The BC Ski Team also had an excellent season. Unfortunately, Francis MacDonald and Myles Kowalczyk were injured, but we are supporting them through their recovery, and they are doing the hard work required to get back on snow with their teammates as quickly as possible.
Last fall we announced our strategic plan and our goals for the next four years. I would like to remind everyone of what we intend to achieve by 2022. We will report on how we are tracking at the Member Summit and AGM in November 2019. The full Strategic plan can be found here http://bcalpine.com/files/Odds_and_Ends_Files/?open=BC_Alpine_Strategic_Plan_2018-2022.pdf.
- To maintain a strong profile and increase the vitality of alpine ski racing in BC:
Have a ski club in every ski community in BC; a strong, modern and recognizable brand; a comprehensive media plan and strong alumni engagement by 2022.
- To provide leadership in the delivery of high-quality coaching and officiating in BC:
By 2022 we would like to see 400 registered coaches in BC (minimum 40% female), all coaches enrolled in professional development, and more than 150 active and trained level 2 Officials.
- To be the “go to” sport for developing athletic excellence:
Have the highest provincial representation on the national ski team; three top-10 results annually at Nor-Am races by our provincial team, and to show a 40% growth in registered athletes from Nancy Greene Ski League to Masters’ racing by 2022.
- To increase our financial viability:
We will maintain a balanced financial performance, show a 60% increase in annual revenue from sponsorship and fundraising initiatives by 2022, and have two new revenue streams.
Save the date! Our 2019 Fall meetings are scheduled for October 31st to November 3rd. Because interest and attendance have been growing in recent years, we are excited to be able to take this event to a new level and invite all of you to Predator Ridge Resort just outside of Vernon. Over four days we will host our Member Summit, AGM, Coach Meetings, Coach Education and the Officials Update. We hope to attract even more of our members this year as we combine education, business and fun in a tranquil, scenic setting. One of the highlight of course will be the Awards celebration and party we are planning! Details, guest speakers and agendas will follow in early September. In the meantime, PLEASE visit BC Alpine’s Calendar https://bcalpine.com/calendar/?M=11&Y=2019#2851 for information on the accommodation options at the resort. Deadline to book is August 31, 2019.
The upcoming season will see some changes in the development pathway. Alpine Canada is committed to preparing athletes to win at the World Cup level. BC Alpine and the other PSOs will work to prepare athletes to qualify for the C-team through the provincial teams, and at the same time work to strengthen clubs and programs across the province. This means that the Development Team will no longer exist and the best performing provincial athletes will get opportunities with the national team through projects while having their home base with the provincial teams. We believe this model is financially viable and will bring stability and consistency to the development pathway. More information on this will be presented as the team selection and yearly training plans are ready.
Thank you again to everyone that made this season a great one: Athletes, clubs, parents, volunteers, coaches, officials, sponsors, ski areas and lovers of ski racing!
I want to remind you that BC Alpine is here for all of you – our members. We exist because of you and our job is to give you the tools and support to run your clubs while teaching kids life and ski skills through alpine ski racing.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need anything, have questions or just want to come by our office for a chat and a cup of coffee.
See you at Predator Ridge!
Anders Hestdalen
CEO – BC Alpine