Westerns CANCELLED, Alberta Cups 3 & 4 POSTPONED to Jan. 20-21

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Due to extreme cold weather Foothills Nordic were forced to cancel Westerns, schedule for January 12-14. The races have been rescheduled to Jan. 20-21, but will no longer carry the “Western Canadian Championships” designation.

Here is the message from organizers on Monday, January 8th:

“Hello Racers,

We are pleased to announce that we will hold Alberta Cup 3&4 on January 20-21, 2024. 

After consultation with Nordiq Canada and Nordiq Alberta we have decided that an Alberta Cup event is the best path forward, so please note that the weekend will no longer be a FIS-sanctioned Western Canadian Cup.

We are still sorting out many details and will post updates and an updated race notice on the website when we can. Hopefully this information will allow you to make transportation and accomodation changes with minimal cancellation penalties.

We look forward to seeing you in Canmore on January 20th and 21st!”

Sask Cup 1 and 2 - Dec 16 and 17 - La Ronge - UPDATED DEC 10

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Sask Cup 1 and 2 will be held on December 16 and 17 in La Ronge. Click here for the race notice.

Click here for the course map.

Click here for the stadium map.

Snow conditions at the trails:

  Snow conditions are sufficient to hold 2 days of Free Technique racing, as there is not enough base to set a track. Please review the attached race notice, stadium map and course map.

Community Coaching Workshop - Dec 2 and 3 - Saskatoon - POSTPONED

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NCCP COMMUNITY COACHING WORKSHOP

COURSE HAD BEEN POSTPINED DUE TO LACK OF SNOW NEW DATE TBD

The “CC” Workshop is the third step in the NCCP coach education program. It provides essential training for coaches delivering an effective skill development program to children six to nine years of age (the “FUNdamentals” stage of athlete development. This program is designed to train coaches to teach children technical skills, select games that reinforce the technical skills being taught, design and lead on-snow sessions, select and prepare equipment for young children and make learning FUN. Successful completion of the ICC online module as well as Coach Initiation Sport online module (details below and enthusiasm are the prerequisites.

Date: December 2-3, 2023

Location: Saskatoon (details TBD)

Fee: The workshop fee is $75.00.

Register:  https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=33351

Learning Facilitator:  Alison Meinert

Prerequisites:

CAC COACH INITIATION IN SPORT ONLINE MODULE
The NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport module introduces new or experienced coaches to the foundational skills of coaching, such as long-term athlete development, ethics, coaching motivation, and athlete safety and wellness. It also teaches the key coaching concepts and educational tools that are the foundation of the NCCP.  This one-hour NCCP module is available online through the Locker. 

NCCP INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY COACHING ONLINE MODULE
The “ICC” Workshop is the second step in the NCCP coach education program.  It is designed to teach parents and other beginning coaches with basic information and a feeling of confidence as they begin their role as a coach.  It teaches coaches how to deliver a series of age-appropriate skill development sessions under the guidance/supervision of more experienced coaches.  The orientation is to skiers of all age groups with an emphasis on working with children under six years of age (the “Active Start” stage of athlete development).  Coaches are taught basic coaching skills, how to teach the fundamentals of technique, growth and development considerations, how to create a motivating learning environment and how to set up a ski playground.  Successful completion of the Coach Initiation in Sport online module, enthusiasm and a minimum age  of 14 years are the prerequisites.  This is a five-hour online module.

L2T Dryland Workshop - Oct 27-29

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When:  October 27-28-29 (combination of virtual and in-person)
Where:  Saskatoon, SK
Facilitator:  Andrew Brisbin
Workshop Fee:  $75

Competition Coaching Introduction (L2T)

The CCI (L2T) program provides tools and develops skills that a coach can use to: (1) create a fun, team-oriented environment that will motivate children to achieve their personal goals in sport and develop a lifelong interest in the fitness and health benefits of cross-country skiing; and (2) deliver a well-rounded sport program with an emphasis on skill development to children nine to 12 years of age (the L2T stage of development). 

The NCCP L2T (Dryland) Workshop is the third step in the NCCP coach education program.  Coaches are taught about developmental age, physical literacy, team building, making ethical decisions, athletic components (aerobic fitness, speed, etc.), nutrition, how to design their own sport program, adventure-based activities (year-round), roller-skiing and planning a practice.

Prerequisite: NCCP Community Coaching

NOTE:  The course requires a minimum of 6 participants.  Please email Alana Ottenbreit (ccs@sasktel.net) by Saturday, October 1st to express your interest in taking this workshop.

Level 2 Officials Course - Sept 22-24

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A Level 2 Officials course will be offered in Waskesiu from the evening of Friday September 22nd to 1 pm on Sunday September 24th in conjunction with an athlete training camp. Click here for more information.

 Nordiq Canada is currently reviewing standards for Tier 2 sanctioned events so it will be important for clubs that typically host Sask Cups and Provincials to get volunteer officials certified at Level 2.

Nordiq Canada Coach License 2023-24

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Nordiq Canada's Coaching License Registration is open.

You need a coaching license if you perform typical coaching tasks with a Nordiq Canada club, including delivering or helping to deliver practices with any age group for at least seven hours per year. Only coaches who meet the Minimum Mandatory Coaching Qualifications (see the Document Centre) and have a valid Coaching License will benefit from Nordiq Canada’s liability insurance coverage while coaching with a Nordiq Canada ski club.

This is FREE and will only take a few minutes of your time.  It's important this is done as we head into fall training, camps and the competition season.

2023-2024 Nordiq Canada Coaching Licence | Zone4 Online Registration

Provincial Coach Announcement

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Cross Country Saskatchewan is excited to announce that Andrew Brisbin was the successful applicant for the Provincial Coach position.  Many of you will be familiar with Andrew as he started his coaching career in Saskatchewan, before he made the move out west to join Bulkely Valley Cross Country Ski Club in Smithers, BC.

Andrew brings with him a wealth of experience, not just as a coach, but as a former competitive ski athlete during his time in Camrose, AB.  Not only has Andrew been the former Provincial Coach for CCS, but a club coach with Bulkley Valley, is trained as an NCCP Coach Developer and was the Lead Male Coach for the BC Talent Squad, to name only a few great things.

Recently, Saskatchewan had the good fortune to have Andrew on board as part of the crew supporting our Canada Winter Games cross country ski team in Prince Edward Island as Wax Tech.

Andrew can be reached at ccshpcoach@gmail.com.  I know each and every one of you and your clubs will warmly welcome Andrew back.