Expressions of Interest (EOI) sought for new Victorian Interschools Advisory Groups.

The Victorian Interschools has operated for over 60 years as a collaboration between the sport, the schools and the host resort. The event has operated under various structures and sub-committees during this time, the most recent being the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Committee (VISC). Snow Australia has routinely required its Sub-Committees (including Interschools) to undergo a process of review, assessment and “freshening up” to ensure there is an appropriate mix of skills and experience to deliver the strategic objectives of the organisation and events.

The Snow Australia Board undertook a review of the governance structure of our Participation and Interschools Committees, to ensure that they continued to provide the appropriate efficiency, expertise and input together with the connection and communication to the community they ultimately serve.

The Review concluded that, to a large extent, the performance of the existing Snow Australia Interschools Committees has been stable and effective.  However, the Review also concluded that the Snow Australia Interschools governance and oversight would be enhanced by a revised operational structure for the National Participation Committee and the State Interschools Committees as a result of unification.

• The development of a National Interschools & Sport Development Committee together with the creation of a National Resorts Advisory Group, which would replace the National Participation Committee.
• A realignment of responsibilities of the State Interschools Committees to be more in the nature of advisory groups to clarify accountability and complement the increase in professional staff and expertise at Snow Australia, as well as reflecting the stability of longer-term hosting agreements with resort partners;
• An opportunity of freshening up of Advisory Group memberships to ensure appropriate expertise, community connection and if possible, better gender balance.

Following on from the disastrous Impact that COVID-19 has had on our sport, and the Interschools, the Board feel the timing is now right to implement the changes as we seek to re-engage all our snowsports participants, schools and community members moving into 2022 and beyond.

In the initial phase, Snow Australia now seeks Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitable individuals willing to be appointed to the following Snow Australia Interschools Advisory Group and Working Group:

• Victorian Interschools Snowsports Advisory Group (VISAG)
• Victorian Snowsports School Working Group (VSSWG)

The Victorian Interschools Snowsports Advisory Group - VISAG

The composition of the VISAG will reflect the three pillars of Interschool Snowsports being Schools, Snowsports and Host Resort.

While participation outcomes are a core goal for the Advisory Group, applicants with skills, responsibilities and connections more specifically to the competitive school sport sector are also encouraged to apply.

Snow Australia particularly encourages applications from Women in the Snowsport community in order to ensure appropriate gender balance across the Interschools Advisory Groups.  Existing members are encouraged to apply should they wish to have an opportunity to retain membership.

A structural overview of the Snow Australia Interschools governance has been completed and the final Terms of Operation are outlined in an updated Snow Australia Interschools Advisory Group Terms of Operation document which includes:

• Roles of the Snow Australia Interschools Advisory Groups,
• Advisory Group membership indicative criteria,
• Advisory Group membership composition and selection procedures,
• Meeting procedures,
• Attendance and conflict of Interest requirements; and
• Reporting requirements to Snow Australia Board.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Advisory Group (VISAG) vacancies -  APPLY HERE 

Victorian Snowsports School Working Group (VSSWG)

In addition to the VISAG, Snow Australia will be forming a Victorian Snowsports School Working Group (VSSWG), which will provide valuable feedback and assistance to the VISAG,  as well as the Participation and Sport Development pathway of Snow Australia. A similar consultation working group already operates as part of the NSW / ACT / QLD Interschools Advisory Group.

This Working Group would be an ideal opportunity for snowsports coordinators that would like to have some involvement in consultation with the sport and the event, without the commitment of being on the Interschools Snowsports Advisory Group in Victoria.

For Victorian school representatives that would like to express interest in participating in a the new Victorian Snowsports School Working Group (VSSWG) - APPLY HERE 

Expression of Interest (EOI) Timeline

An indicative timetable for the new appointment process and consideration of submissions is as follows.

• 25th October 2021 opening date for EOI applications.
• 12th November 2021 closing date for VISAG EOI applications (By COB).
• Late November 2021 announcement of new Advisory Group and Working Group members.

Snow Australia will assemble a suitably knowledgeable panel to make recommendations to the Snow Australia Board for potential members to the new Interschools Advisory Group and Working Group.

For further information please email Snow Australia (snelson@snow.org.au).