NEWS ARCHIVE
August 24th, 2009 - NSA Becomes an Independent School - read more here: http://nsa.on.ca/ecampaigns/NSA_Becomes_Independent_School_Press_Release_-_FINAL.pdf
August 13-14, 2009 - Countdown to Saas-Fee Training Camp
NSA student athletes, coaches, Jimmy the Wonder Chef, 30 guest racers and guest coaches are preparing for their August 13th and 14th departures for the annual NSA Saas-Fee and Europe ski camps. A number of NSA student athletes, guest campers and NSA summer school students are working out at the NSA each afternoon under the leadership of NSA Director of Conditioning and Injury Prevention, Dr. Sue Nori.
In addition to members of the NSA Racing and Academic Performance Program guest athletes and coaches from Craigleith, Devil’s Glen, Osler, Alpine and other ski clubs will join the NSA team and coaches for a spectacular camp - - and the opportunity to sample “Yimmie” sandwiches – the lunch of champions – and survive the Terminator. Good luck!
The three week training camp from August 13th to September 3rd, 2009 includes talented K1, K2 and FIS athletes training with Jurg Gfeller and his expert coaching staff alongside World Cup racers in a world class training venue. This unique camp is situated in a world class training environment with optimal ski conditions for SL and GS technical training.
For more information about Saas-Fee visit www.saas-fee.ch/en/welcome.cfm
SUMMER 2009 - Donate and support the NSA online Six months ago the NSA invested in a Resource Development Program to address and support the NSA Board of Director’s vision for growth and renewal at the Academy.
We are re-establishing ties with our alumni and the parents of alumni. As you know, any learning institution’s alumni are its life line for success over the long term. Re-engaging the alumni is one of the central aspects of the Resource Development Program. The aim is to raise significant funds to support a number of key initiatives – from expanding our bursary and scholarship program to capital improvements and expanding our educational and sport training offerings.
Many alumni and parents of alumni are keen to support the NSA. One recent example, an NSA alumni family is supporting a ski racing and academic bursary for five years with a $25,000 gift. Another initiative is the Alumni Circle – a monthly giving program that will be launched in June. Reaching out to our alumni, understanding their interests, and gaining insight into their future initiatives is key to the success of this new program.
We're asking for your support. We understand the difficult economic challenges many of your may be facing so any gift is a major gift. You can make a donation to NSA and its student athletes via
https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/NationalSkiAcademy/OnlineDonation.html
With your support, the future is looking bright!
SPRING 2009 - "Our World, Our Journey" NSA video slideshow on YouTube
NSA is pleased to announce the premiere of “Our World, Our Journey”.
The YouTube video slideshow is a tribute to the student athletes at the National Ski Academy as they pursue their ski racing and academic dreams from Collingwood to Europe and back during the 2008 – 2009 academic year.
The 7:40 minute video slideshow is accompanied by fabulous audio tracks.
The slideshow focuses on the NSA program benefits each student athlete realizes via NSA’s unique Racing and Academic Performance Program.
NSA’s “Our World, Our Journey” video slideshow direct link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQyeIrna0I
When you open the YouTube window containing the video screen, look for a small rectangular icon under the screen on the right side that states “HD”. Click on this to access High Definition video (a tangible visual improvement over standard definition). Also, click on the small icon to the right of the HD icon and you will get full screen appearance – just like big screen plasma or the theatre. Turn up the volume! Enjoy the world of NSA’s student athletes as they live the ski racer’s journey.
We encourage e-mailing the YouTube video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQyeIrna0I to all your ski racing friends.
2008-2009 NSA Coaching Staff
The National Ski Academy, the Home of Ski Racing and Academic Excellence, is pleased to announce the 2008-2009 coaching staff.
Jurg Gfeller, NSA’s Director, will continue as the NSA Women’s FIS team Head Coach next season. Under Jurg’s leadership the NSA Women’s FIS team had a very successful and rewarding season in 2007-2008 with all athletes scoring personal best results. Two of Jurg’s team members, Shannon Campbell and Aimee Bell-Pasht, were invited to join the AOA “A” and “B” team for 2009-2009. NSA is the only FIS racing program whose FIS athletes received invitations to join the AOA team. Shannon has elected to remain a member of the NSA Women’s FIS Team and Aimee is considering an academic future at McGill University. Jurg looks forward to building on last season’s success.
Nick Kwasniak will be returning for his third year at NSA. Nick will continue as the K2 Program leader and NSA’s Dryland Program leader. Nick is CSCF Level 3, CSIA Level 3, CASI Level 1, NCCP 2, and CASI Alpine Level 1. Before joining the NSA team, Nick had extensive coaching success at Sun Peaks. Nick anticipates a strong 2008-2009 for his K2 team.
Samuele Piana, the always smiling, always cheerful Men’s FIS coach, will be returning next season for his second year at NSA. Sami thoroughly enjoyed his first season coaching in eastern Canada and made the decision to put his other career plans on hold back in Italy. Sami is a Federation Ski Coach European Level 3 - Men's FIS Coach. Welcome back Sami!
Jason Monette will be joining NSA as the Men’s FIS Head Coach for 2008-2009. Jay is a CSCF level 3 and a level 3 CSIA certificate. For the past three 3 years Jay was the FIS Head Coach at the Toronto Ski Club. Jay’s expertise as a coach and administrator and experience as a former provincial team athlete will be a significant benefit to the NSA program.
The NSA is also pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Nori will be a valued member of the coaching and injury prevention program for the 2008-2009 season. Sue provided her fitness, injury prevention and rehabilitation expertise to NSA athletes during the past season. Everyone who has worked with Sue appreciates her focus and commitment. Sue will also be providing coaching assistance at the Saas-Fee camp and during the season. NSA athletes, parents and staff are pleased she is able to join the NSA while she manages a busy private practice.
Jurg, the coaching staff, and student athletes extend their appreciation to NSA FIS Coach Fred Potvin who is leaving NSA after three years as the Men’s FIS Head Coach. During his time at NSA, Fred made valuable contributions to the program and the success of his athletes. We wish Fred continued success and support his decision to return “home” to Montreal and pursue new challenges. Bonne chance Fred!
NSA coaching team welcomes back Dr.Sue Nori, Sami Piana and newcomer Chris Daniels
While we say good bye and best wishes to coach Nick Kwasniak, we're pleased that Dr. Sue Nori, Sami Piana, and newcomer Chris Daniels will be members of Jurg Gfeller’s coaching staff for the 2009-2010 season.
We are very pleased that Dr. Susan Nori will be NSA's Director of Conditioning and Injury Prevention for the 2009-2010 year.
Many of our NSA student athletes and their families know Sue from the terrific assistance she provided to them at last year’s Saas-Fee camp: the magic she performed on our injured racers is legendary! She'll be working her magic in Saas-Fee again this year to assist NSA athletes.
Sue brings a world class conditioning and injury prevention benefits to our student athletes. She has an extensive background as a physiotherapist and chiropractor with a specialization in Sport Conditioning. Her training in exercise and injury prevention has been enhanced by her experience as a certified Pilates Instructor. Sue is a Level 3 NCCP coach and a Level 2 CSCF/CSIA certified ski coach presently working on my Level 3 CSCF certification. She has extensive experience working with athletes and the general public on conditioning progression, injury prevention and injury rehabilitation.
Chris Daniels wil be joining the NSA as a men's FIS coach alongside NSA veteran Sami Piana. Chris has 16 years experience coaching elite athletes in Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia with a proven track record of success with elite FIS athletes. For the past 12 years Chris has lived and worked in France running the Alpine Performance Ski Team (APST), an elite private race training program for international ski racers aged 15 - 20 . His responsibilities included program planning, coaching, athlete development and parent liaison, .
During the summer season Chris has coached at Mt. Hutt, New Zealand and Thredbo, Australia. Several athletes that Chris coached have graduated to World Cup and Olympic success.
We look forward to Chris joining the NSA’s Racing and Academic Performance Program. Welcome back to the Collingwood area Chris (an original Devil’s Glen member and former DG coach).
We’re also very pleased that NSA FIS men’s coach Sami Piana will be returning for his third season at NSA. Sami has become a valued member of the NSA coaching team and his positive, smiling outlook is appreciated by NSA student athletes and coaches and staff.
NSA Ski Day featured in Collingwood Life newspaper
The recent issue of the Collingwood Life newspaper devoted a full page to the NSA Ski Day at Devil’s Glen. Several photos and an article appear. Great coverage for NSA with the local and skiing communities. Copies are available at A&P, Loblaws etc.
Over 150 friends, parents, student athletes, alumni, coaches, staff, and sponsors of the “Home of ski racing and academic excellence” attended the 22nd annual National Ski Academy fundraising ski day.
The event, held at Devil’s Glen on Friday, February 15th, featured a day of fun, racing and feasting … including a taste of the infamous NSA raclette … better known as the “stinky cheese”.
This year, the athletes and coaches from the Simcoe County Special Olympics Ski Team attended with some of the athletes showing off their racing skills in the fun race against NSA student athletes, parents and friends.
Madeleine Welton and her organizing committee ensured that the day proceeded on schedule. Cheryl Michelin and her silent auction team amassed some great items to ensure fundraising success. Beckie Vogel promised and delivered fresh powder and sunny skies - - rarely seen this year in Grey County. Graydon Oldfield sprung himself from his Barrie office to again serve as a superb Master of ceremonies. Jimmy Lane - - the hot item at this year’s live auction - - prepared the raclette to his usual exacting culinary standards. NSA student athletes served as ambassadors, greeters and ski sherpas.
Jurg Gfeller, the NSA’s Executive Director welcomed the participants and thanked everyone for their continued support of NSA and its student athletes: “For the past 22 years the NSA has provided programs and support that enabled dedicated student athletes to achieve ski racing and academic success. The support from our NSA families, friends and sponsors at the annual ski day is important to our success. It helps to ease the financial burden of delivering our world class programs. We thank everyone for their support at ski day and we look forward to seeing you at our Annual NSA Golf Day in August”.
NSA & Special Olympics Partnership
Jurg Gfeller, Director of the National Ski Academy in Collingwood, is pleased to announce that the National Ski Academy and the Collingwood Special Olympics Alpine Teams have established a partnership beginning in the 2007/08 season.
Founded in 1986, the National Ski Academy is the "Home of ski racing and academic excellence". The NSA provides an opportunity for dedicated student athletes to pursue academic and alpine ski racing excellence in programs designed to meet their needs and maximize their potential.
This exciting partnership will allow Special Olympians to use the NSA dryland facilities to develop their fitness training. It will also give the NSA coaches a chance to share their coaching and skiing expertise with the dedicated volunteer coaches of the Special Olympic Alpine Team. This exposure will help to strengthen the skiing knowledge for those working with Special Olympians. As well, the NSA athletes will be given the chance to help out as volunteers with the Special Olympians on-hill, serving as mentors, role models and friends to the Special Olympic Alpine Team.
Brian Traynor, Director of Education at NSA, stated that the volunteer hours will be used towards the NSA student’s Community Service Hours needed for the compulsory portion of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma These volunteer hours will combine a valuable life learning experience with their academic accomplishments.
Patty Federer, Ontario Sport Alpine Technical Advisor, Special Olympics Ontario is pleased with this partnership: "On behalf of all the Special Olympian alpine athletes and coaches I would like to thank The National Ski Academy Board of Directors, staff and students for supporting us. They have opened up their hearts, offered their time, expertise and facilities to allow our athletes the opportunity to be the best they can be. Often our athletes struggle to find appropriate supports to excel in their sport and now with National Ski Academy’s help, some of those challenges will be met. We are thrilled to be working with them."
This partnership will be a wonderful benefit to all the athletes involved with both the NSA and Special Olympics. As competitive athletes they are all striving for the same thing . . . to be the best they can be at their chosen sport.
SPORTING LIFE supports NSA "Home of ski racing and academic excellence" and its student athletes.
Our athletes recently returned from another successful training camp in Saas Fee and Zermatt, Switzerland.
We owe Sporting Life, Cam Powell & Bill Ford our thanks for their professional help and support to all the athletes. Cam Powell is one of the leading boot fitters and was very helpful on a daily basis with boot fitting and repairs. Bill Ford is a superb ski technician who offered daily ski tuning and tuning education to the athletes. Both were always available for any help required on and off the and this is an important part of a very productive camp.
Thank you again from all of us at the National Ski Academy for your dedication and help.
NSA 2007 - 2008 Coaching Staff
Jurg Gfeller – Founder/Director NSA will continue as Women's FIS Head Coach for the 2007-08 season.
Fred Potvin - 3rd Year with NSA - CSCF Level 3, CSIA Level 2, NCCP Level 3 - Men's FIS Head Coach
Nick Kwasniak - 2nd Year with NSA - CSCF Level 3, CSIA Level 3, CASI Level 1, NCCP 2, CASI Alpine Level 1 - NSA K2 Coach
Samuele Piana - 1st Year with NSA - Federation Ski Coach European Level 3 - Men's FIS Coach
National Ski Academy Facility Rental
National Ski Academy has off-season rental of facilities available for organizations. Facilities include - 26 beds, full gym, weight room, common rooms, classroom, dining room and full kitchen.
For further information please contact: Jurg Gfeller, Director jgfeller@nsa.on.ca
