SSS Nordic Coaching Team Update
If you anyone’s missed the news within SSS’s Nordic discipline, we’re excited to announce the re-structure of our coaching staff…
We recently bid farewell to National Performance Coach, Alex Standen. Alex was responsible for the set up and leadership of the successful ‘Project Lillehammer’ performance program since 2019. We’re now pleased to appoint the role of National Performance Coach to Fern Cates. Merging Fern’s previous role within SSS as Para Nordic Pathway Coach, Fern will be responsible for the performance program across the cross-country and Para Nordic squads. This important role will be supported with funding for a number of contracted coaches to deliver the summer and winter program to our talented athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic pathway. Fern has described this as an “exciting challenge to build upon the legacy of Project Lillehammer, introducing new opportunities for Para athletes that reflect increasing international inclusivity and strengthen relationships with specialist coaches and stakeholders.” She believes, “The most important thing right now is to give the squad confidence in the continuity of a quality program which will see us achieve our organisation’s and individual athletes' goals.”
We also look forward to the return of our SSS Nordic Pathway Coach, Sarah Young, from maternity leave in June. Sarah will be back in office on part-time hours to begin with and will also be supported to bring in contracted coaches to deliver participation and pathway activities across the nation to further develop the sport from the grass roots as well as the adaptive Nordic skiing space too. We’re sure that clubs and individuals will be looking forward to having Sarah back in office soon to help with things like proficiency awards, participation and coach development! In the meantime, Fern is the available member of staff as a contact point for anything Nordic specific that the community requires from SSS so please don’t hesitate to contact her via fern@snowsportscotland.org
If there are any further questions on Nordic updates or activities with SSS, we will be hosting our first online Nordic Town Hall meeting of the year, with Fern on Tuesday 7th May 19:00-20:00 on Teams. This is a chance for an open space for discussion for anyone that wishes, please sign up here
