First VISAG meeting another milestone towards exciting 2022 Interschools Snowsports season

The first meeting of the new Victorian Interschools Snowsports Advisory Group (VISAG) was held on 2 March, 2022 marking another important milestone as the Australian Interschools community approaches one of the most exciting winter seasons in its history.  

The Advisory Group has been recently established to address specific matters related to the organisation of the Victorian Interschools events and is part of Snow Australia’s effort to re-engage all snowsports participants, schools and community members after two years of significant disruption to the Interschools Snowsports calendar.

“2022 is indeed an exciting time for the Victorian Interschools,” explained John Dyson, Chair of the VISAG. 

“Australia has just celebrated winning Winter Olympic and Paralympic medals in Beijing, with Jakara Anthony (Gold medal in Moguls), Scotty James (Silver Medal in Snowboard Halfpipe), and Tess Coady (Bronze medal in Snowboard Slopestyle) all starting their snowsports journeys at the Victorian Interschools. Ben Tudhope (Bronze in Snowboardcross) also commenced competitive snowsports in the NSW Interschools.

“We look forward to re-engaging our Interschools community this year with the fun and excitement of the Victorian Interschools. Our next Winter Olympic or Paralympic medallist could possibly be on the start list this season,” Dyson said.

The establishment of the VISAG is one of the outcomes from the review of the National Participation structure conducted by the Snow Australia Board in 2021.

At the time the Board concluded that the performance of the existing Snow Australia Interschools Committees had been stable and effective, but that governance and oversight could be enhanced by a revised operational structure for the National Participation Committee and the State Interschools Committees, also in light of the unification of the sport in 2019.

The composition of the VISAG is the result of an Expression of Interest request sent out by Snow Australia in 2021 and reflects the principles of the three strategic pillars of Interschools Snowsports, being ‘Schools’, ‘Snowsports’ and ‘Host Resort’ (Mt Buller).

Snow Australia is also looking to add interested school representatives to the Victorian School Snowsports Working Group (VSSWG). The VSSWG follows the success of the Northern Interschools Advisory Group, which utilises a representative body (or Working Group) of approximately 25 schools that are consulted for feedback on items that have an impact on the conduct of the NSW, ACT and QLD Interschools events. 

For further information about joining the VSSWG – please email interschools@snow.org.au 
 
List of VISAG members that have been appointed by the Snow Australia Board

• John Dyson (Chair)
• David Aitken (Melbourne Grammar School)
• Mark Bennetts (Mt. Buller & Mt. Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board)
• Martin Francis (Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak)
• Peter Gibbons (Caulfield Grammar)
• Stephen Green (Sandringham Secondary College)
• Vicki Hoban (Lowther Hall)
• Noel Landry (Buller Ski Lifts) 
• Nicole Roache (The Geelong College)