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JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

• PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
  • For young athletes, from ages 9 to 18 of various abilities and experience.
  • Something for experienced athletes interested in the more rigorous training and technical preparations needed for racing at Loppets, Alberta Cup races, Alberta Winter Games, Alberta Youth Championships, and/or the Western Canadian Championships.
  • For less experienced skiers and/or skiers not as interested in ski racing the focus is on technique and touring.
• PROGRAM DETAILS:
  • Ages: 9-18
  • Location: Kingswood Park (other venues for specific purposes)
  • Practice days/times: Monday/Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8:00pm; Saturday, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Start Date: Saturday, September 15, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • End Date: March 31 (depending on snow conditions)
  • Registration: Zone4.ca (open on Sunday September 9th)
  • Cost: $150.00/athletes

Please note the additional details regarding programming this winter for Stanski athletes.  There have been some exciting additions and changes to programming this winter.  If you have any questions about the program, please talk to your coach.

Practice Times and Location:

Pre Snow Dryland Training – Practices will start at 6:30 pm sharp, and will end at 8:15 pm.  Monday and Wednesday practices will be at Kingswood Park, and Saturday practices will be at Seven Hills so we can use the hills, the playground for strength training, and the river valley for roller skiing and longer runs.

On Snow Training – Monday and Wednesday practices will be at Liberton Hill (behind Sobies) or at Kingswood – update to be provided via the blog.  Saturday’s practices will occasionally be held offsite to enable athletes to ski on more variable terrain (i.e. hills and longer distances).  Plans for Saturday training will be posted on the website, and announced at Wed practice.

Communications:

Coaches will use the “Coaches Blog” on the Stanski website (http://stanskicoach.blogspot.ca/) to provide updates on team practices and events.  Please make a habit of checking the blog for information from the coaches.  If you subscribe to the blog by entering your e-mail on the Coaches Blog, then you will automatically receive updates.

Coaches and Technique Clinics:

This winter, we are happy to be able to offer weekly technique clinics, taught by Ulf Kleppe and Joel Gervais. The purpose of these clinics is to provide both athletes and parent coaches with more advanced technical instruction.   It is important for parents and athletes to understand that Ulf and Joel are not coaching the Stanski team.  Parent volunteers are the club coaches.   At races and other events, the parent coaches will provide waxing and coaching support for our athletes. Fees have increased this year to cover half the cost of the technique clinics, and the club will cover the remaining costs.  We are thrilled to have Ulf and Joel providing this expertise, as it will benefit both the athletes and the parent coaches who are also working on technique and coaching development.   Technique clinics will be on Monday nights, except for the 1^st week of the month when the clinic will be on Wednesday.

Plans for grouping athletes:

During the fall (until we have snow) some of the athletes will be roller skiing.  Generally, roller skiing is not recommended for athletes who are 12 or younger (with a few exceptions).  Athletes 12 and under will benefit most from ski walking, striding and bounding, in conjunction with fitness and strength training.  Coaches do recognize that some of our Stanski athletes who are 12 and under, are training to compete.  Once we are on skis, these athletes may choose to ski with the older athletes so that they maintain a suitable training intensity.

Once we are on skis, the goal is to have 2 focuses to training:

1)      Skiing for fitness and to improve technique.  These athletes may also choose to set goals for the season that may include Loppets (fun races, often with mass starts), Alberta Cup races (more competitive), Birke, and /or touring events.

2)      Training to compete.  These athletes are experienced skiers who are focused on improving their racing performance and who intend to participate in various provincial races throughout the season.

Coaches recognize that goals may evolve, and some athletes may choose to move between groups as the season progresses.

What to bring to practice:

Athletes who are roller skiing need to bring bright colored or reflective clothing, gloves, head lamps, poles, ski boots, roller skis, helmets and water to carry with you.  Those who are roller skiing should sign out roller skis and plan to ski approximately 3+ times per week, to practice and reinforce technique that is being taught during the technique sessions.

All athletes should bring water bottles, and poles (shorter poles, not skate poles). for ski striding and bounding.

Upcoming Events:

Cross Country Alberta (CCA) posts most dryland training and ski events on their website (http://www.xcountryab.net).  Parents and athletes can view the CCA calendar to plan which events they would like to attend throughout the season.  Coaches will also make recommendations as to which events we attend as a club.

November 9-12 – Provincial Ski Camp at Lk Louise.  The camp is for Midget through Junior age categories  (12-17 yrs).  Many Stanski families will plan to ski in Lk Louise or at the Canmore Nordic Center that weekend.  So families with younger skiers may chose to hit the trails while their older athletes participate in camp activities.  Please ask the coaches for additional details, and also visit the CCA website.  Registration for the Provincial Ski Camp ends Oct. 24^th – so register soon.

Dec 1-2 – Alberta Cup 1 and 2, Canmore Nordic Center.   This is the first of the Alberta Cup races for the season, and a great opportunity for athletes to do lots of skiing.

March 2-3 – 2013 Alberta Youth Cross Country Ski Championships, Bragg Crk Alberta.  This is a fun event that is suitable for all levels of skiers, born 1999-2002.  Athletes stay in a youth camp near Bragg Crk, and participate in a series of fun and / or competitive events over the weekend.  Meals included.  Lots of prizes and celebration of good sports man/women ship.  We are encouraging early registration for this event, as it is a very popular event and may fill up.