After assisting five athletes last year, the British Ski & Snowboard National Foundation has announced a record number of grants ahead of the 2018/19 season.
Thirteen individual athletes from Alpine, Cross Country, Park & Pipe, Ski Cross and Moguls will receive grants, while an additional grant has been made to the Futures Project which supports the development of freestyle skiing and snowboard skills for under-18s.
The BSSNF was formed in 2016 to ease the financial burden which could prevent talented young skiers and snowboarders from excelling in their chosen sport. Grant recipients are chosen from a pool of athletes nominated by the home nations’ governing bodies and British Ski and Snowboard.
The successful candidates were chosen based on where the grants would have the greatest impact, with funds being used by recipients to subsidise travel, accommodation, training camps and equipment.
More than half of the recipients have been selected in the British team to attend the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Junior World Championships in New Zealand later this month, with the grants certain to help with the costs of attending the event.
“The needs of young athletes vary from family to family, but whether these grants are used to help with travel costs or to purchase a new pair of skis, it is fantastic that the British Ski & Snowboard National Foundation is able to assist developing athletes in ways which are needed most,” said Dan Hunt, British Ski & Snowboard Performance Director.
The Foundation has also established several strategic partnerships which will provide additional benefit for grant recipients. The partners are:
Ellis Brigham who are supporting athletes with accessories and necessities throughout the season
Natural Retreats who are providing athletes with free season lift passes for Cairngorm, as well as supporting accommodation and travel costs
Altius Healthcare who are providing athletes with free injury prevention assessments and physio support
“When we established the Foundation two years ago we wanted to be able to provide additional funding to athletes for whom it would have the most impact,” said Sir John Ritblat, chairman of the Foundation.
“It is great to see so many athletes being given assistance this year and I look forward to following their performances and progress over the course of the upcoming season.
“I would like to thank all of our generous donors without whom these grants would not be possible, as well as our commercial partners who are providing additional assistance to the super skiers and snowboarders.”
2018 BRITISH SKI & SNOWBOARD NATIONAL FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENTS
Gabe Adams (15, snowboard slopestyle/big air), Connie Brogden (16, ski halfpipe/slopestyle), Luca Carrick-Smith (13, alpine), Will Feneley (19, moguls), Edouard Guigonnet (16, alpine), Felix Klein (18, ski slopestyle), Jasper Klein (16, ski slopestyle), Chris McCormick (20, ski slopestyle), Kirsty Muir (14, ski halfpipe/slopestyle), Oliver Newman (19, cross country), Emma Peters (20, ski cross), Justin Taylor-Tipton (17, ski slopestyle/big air), Sam Ward (18, ski halfpipe/slopestyle).
For more information about the BSSNF or to donate, go to www.bssnf.uk
