XC Skiing Pathway Programme

Development Group

Overview

The Snowsport Scotland Nordic Development Group is a home nation level training group for participants in the train-to-train stage of the pathway (typically 12-16 year olds) looking to make the leap from club to national level athletes. The programme offers 12 training days, strategically spaced between training opportunities with the British Nordic Development Squad and roller ski competitions to ensure that Scottish athletes have the opportunity to come together and train frequently throughout the season. The programme runs in line with the winter season, kicking off in June and winding up in April with nominations and invitations being sent out in May. Check out the Entry Requirements Tab and the Nominations Tab for more information about programme processes.

The Development Group programme aims to:

Introduce athletes to a range of different cross-country ski training
Provide frequent peer-group training
Promote training at different locations throughout Scotland so that every athlete has a ‘home’ session
Equip athletes with the knowledge, tools and behaviours to advance their athlete careers.

Entry

Entry Requirements

To be invited to train with the Snowsport Scotland Nordic Development Group you must:

Be between 12-16 years old;
Be interested in competitive cross-country skiing;
Able to complete the 400 m Figure of 8 test in under 2 mins 45 sec;
Be nominated by your club.

Nominations

Nomination Process

All Snowsport Scotland Nordic clubs will be asked to nominate development athletes for invitation to the Nordic Development Group in April or May each year.

Nominated athletes will be invited to our kick-off meeting to gain more information about the programme before being sent a formal invite and a link to register to the programme.

Registered athletes will then be invited to training days.

Services

12 training days
Weekly training log review [optional]
Monthly 1-2-1 athlete support [optional]

British Nordic Development Squad (BNDS)

We are partners with BNDS who run a national programme for athletes aged 12 – 18 year olds. They run a programme of domestic and international camps that introduce athletes to training on snow and aim to take athletes to their first international races. Many BNDS athletes go on to compete in major International age group events such as the European Youth Olympics Festival, the OPA Games and even World Juniors.

More details on their website: https://www.britishnordic.org.

Next Steps…

Passed the train to train stage or looking ahead to what’s next? Check out the SSS Performance pathway programme and learn about Project Lillehammer here.