PARK CITY, UT (May 18, 2016) – The National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) has been announced as one of eight global finalists for the International Ski Federation’s FIS SnowKidz Award. NWSEF was nominated by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) as one of 15 international contenders. The award is presented every other year and aims to recognize and promote the best examples of bringing children to the snow, in varying national circumstances.
Since it’s inception six years ago, FIS has delivered over $190,000 to projects around the world aiming to bring children to snow. Previous winners of the award include Germany, Norway, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The U.S. has made it to the final eight three times. Maine Winter Sports Center finished second overall in 2010 and NANANordic was second in 2014.
With programs that include Nordic Rocks, Ted Ligety Learn to Ski and the National Winter Activity Center, NWSEF demonstrates its long term, sustainable commitment to creating participants, competitors and fans. With every program, it is the intent of NWSEF to support and develop initiatives that provide youth with an introduction and proper instruction for competition in skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing. In partnership with the USSA, NWSEF aims to introduce 100,000 youth to winter sports over the next few years.
“Growing the visibility of our sports is an important goal for our organization,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “The NWSEF has been a fantastic partner in these efforts and we are honored to have them representing our sports in this year’s FIS Snowkidz race.”
This past winter the National Winter Activity Center, which acts as a youth-only training facility, was able to serve 800 youth from various organizations in the NY/NJ tristate area. NWSEF will look to double that number in the upcoming year. After hosting 4,200 sessions of instruction, 3,400 meals, and countless hours of outdoor activity for its participating youth, the Center is just one of the many reasons NWSEF is proud to be in the running for the internationally-recognized award.
“The mission of the Foundation is not only to bring kids to the snow, but to engage them and make them understand what the snow can offer,” said Schone Malliet, the CEO of the National Winter Sports Education Foundation/National Winter Activity Center. “By providing our participants with what they need to have a memorable experience including a state of the art training facility, a passionate group of formally trained mentors, brand new gear, and more, we are able to change their lives during their time here, if not possibly forever.”
As a finalist, NWSEF will receive $5,000 towards its programs. An additional $5,000 – $10,000 will be awarded if NWSEF moves on to the final three. The award will be presented on June 10th at 50th International Ski Congress in Cancun, Mexico.
About National Winter Sports Education Foundation
The National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) was founded in 2011 with a mission of assisting organizations in playing an effective role in improving the lives, health, and fitness of children through participation in winter sports. Its ultimate goal is to help more than 100,000 youth gain access to winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more, each and every winter. Donations support the group and its partners who include PSIA, USSA, SIA, NSAA, FIS, NBS, Powdr Corp, and many other industry and non-industry groups. Since its inception four years ago, NWSEF has funded almost 15,000 kids for introductory cross-country programs through organizations such as the Girl Scouts, YouthFest events in New Hampshire via funding to YES (Youth Enrichment Services), and Nordic Rocks, a cross-country program in the Midwest. One of the bigger programs NWSEF sponsors is the YMCA’s Ted Ligety Learn to Ski program, also sponsored by Ligety and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and geared to kids who live in Utah but have never skied before. These sessions helped to inspire the creation of the NWAC program. For more information on NWSEF, visit nwsef.org.
About FIS SnowKidz
FIS SnowKidz is the first phase of the Bring Children to the Snow campaign. It is a unique program and communications platform that enables organizers around the world to share and showcase their events to bring children to the snow. Events can occur at anytime and in any place around the world. For more information, visit www.snowkidz.com.
About USSA
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is the national governing body of Olympic skiing and snowboarding. The USSA provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, the USSA is committed to the progression of its sports and athlete success. Established in 1905, the USSA receives no direct government support, operating solely through private donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to fund athletic programs to assist athletes in reaching their dreams. For more information, visit ussa.org.
Release information provided by NWSEF.
