ETP final selection expected by early May after successful nomination process

Applications for the 2021-2022 Emerging Talent Program (ETP) closed last week with a total of 74 athletes nominated across the disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross Country, Freestyle, Park & Pipe, Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross. The ETP is Snow Australia’s talent identification and development program which supports and enhances the preparation of potential performance athletes before they transition into the performance pathway programs.

In the next few weeks Program Directors, Program Head Coaches and Club Head Coaches will meet and discuss the individual nominations with the Selection Panel, before a final approval is given in consultation with the National Discipline Committees. Final athlete selection is expected to be confirmed in early May.

The process will be slightly different for Alpine Skiing and Ski Cross, disciplines for which selection to the National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) is the first step within the performance pathway. The National Alpine Committee (NAC) Capability Working Group saw the potential for the ETP to assist and prepare developing athletes as they progress through the steps towards NAST selection, and identified a number of candidates from several clubs who will be considered for inclusion in the program.

Snow Australia’s Performance Pathway and Program Manager Ben Wordsworth, together with Alpine Director and Ski Cross Head Coach Shawn Fleming, participated in the NAC Capability Working Group meetings which also identified potential ETP prospects for the future.

Wordsworth said that when the Program Directors set out to review and develop the new ETP application process, they had not anticipated a different selection procedure for Alpine Skiing and Ski Cross.

"This new approach originated from the ongoing synergies within the NAC Capability Working Group, where members were already working together on other Alpine initiatives," Wordsworth explained.

"The resulting process demonstrates how a collaborative approach between Club Head Coaches and Program Directors can assist with ensuring development opportunities are purposeful towards long-term athlete success," he said.

Given the collaborative approach of the NAC Capability Working Group on idenfying athletes across a number of clubs, the nomination process for Alpine and Ski Cross has been extended to allow club coaches the necessary time to collect athlete profile information for final review and approval.

The NAC Capability Working Group will meet again later this month to discuss the activities required to support the ETP Athletes within their club program.

The group also confirmed that NAST athletes will still be able to connect into ETP servicing as required.