The newly-established working group for FIS and SRS, the ski industry’s organization, met on the eve of the FIS World Cup Opening in Sölden primarily to discuss ways in which both organizations could promote skiing and participation.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper presented to SRS the important campaign that FIS intends to undertake with children and youngsters to promote skiing and participation “Bring Children back to the Snow.” SRS led by the co-presidents Michael Schineiss (Atomic) and Gregor Dietachmayr (Fischer), pledged their support through their channels to help distribute and communicate such a campaign, as well as contribute to its development.

The other main topic that was addressed regarding promotional aspects concerns integrating a clip into the television broadcast about which discussions are underway with Infront that hold the television rights to the majority of the FIS World Cups as part of a brand-strengthening campaign

FIS News
1.11.2007

Kids are our future: FIS Youth and Children’s Sub-Committees busy at work

Representatives of the FIS Youth and Children’s Sub-Committees and their joint Coordination Group, led by Ken Read (CAN), met for the second time in Zurich during the FIS Autumn Meetings. Established by the FIS Council last autumn, the Sub-Committees’ inaugural spring meetings had focused on defining their roles, level of authority and main tasks. By now, the sharing of ideas, information and experiences between the National Ski Associations on bringing and developing youth participation has already become one of the major focus points, as well as working with discipline sub-committees to review rules and comment on proposals from National Ski Associations as they relate to youth and children events and development.

There are a multitude of programs and projects underway in the various FIS member nations. It is the goal of the coordination group to gather this substantial documentation and share it through the FIS web site.

Another emerging, important topic area for the Sub-Committees are guidelines and standards, especially in the areas of safety and equipment, for children’s and youth competitions. As requested by the FIS President, the Sub-Committees will also play a key role in defining the specifics related to the FIS disciplines at the future Youth Olympic Winter Games to be introduced by the IOC as of 2012.

The Sub-Committee meetings were preceded by 5th FIS Youth and Children’s Seminar. More than 50 participants from 34 nations gathered to discuss and debate the critical themes related to developing and retaining the interest of children and youth in snow sports. The overall feedback on the seminar has been very positive and its organization as part of the FIS autumn meetings has received much praise due to the ease of participation and optimization of travel expenses.

FIS News
2.11.2007