Member Article

Snowsport Scotland Recruit Two New Park and Pipe Coaches

As the popularity for the art of freestyle skiing and snowboarding (park and pipe) increases, Snowsport Scotland has taken a bold move by employing two full time Park and Pipe coaches in order to support freestyle athletes and encourage uptake of the sport.

Ben Kinnear and Dan Breen are the first park and pipe coaches to be employed by Snowsport Scotland, their recruitment is part of a larger project of investment to support existing freestyle athletes in their training and preparation, as well as encourage the uptake of more freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Since joining the organisation in July 2015 the pair have been working with resorts, facilities and clubs to encourage and educate the benefits of investing in freestyle programmes and features. They’ve also been working very closely with the sportScotland Institute of Sport service providers in order to best support Scotland’s most promising athletes. This has been through the development of both athlete and coaching pathways along with close communications with the GB Park and Pipe coaches, managers and service providers.

Freestyle skiing and snowboarding first gained its popularity in Scotland in the late 90s after the construction of the jump slope at Hillend ski slope, this was closely followed by investments from Bearsden, Braehead and Garthdee. Since then the sport’s popularity has soared producing some highly talented Scottish freestyle athletes which Snowsport Scotland is eager to support by providing the best possible training and facilities.

Dan Breen, commented “Not only are Ben and I on the ground with the athletes providing direct coaching support but we’re also working behind the scenes developing programmes for pathway athletes, engaging with club level coaches as well as expanding home based programmes to incorporate more cross training such as skating, gymnastics, trampolining and S&C. We’ve been working with some great up and coming freestyle athletes such as Fin Bremner and Cal Sandieson and we’re confident they’re going to go onto world class level”.

Snowsport Scotland also run regular freestyle competitions throughout the year and is hosting the upcoming British Ski & Snowboard online Championship Ski and Snowboard league along with the Scottish Slopestyle Championships in March 2016. The organisation also has plans for a new airbag and reduced risk training facilities to be built on Scottish soil next year.

“The quick growth of support available to athletes in terms of coaching, facilities and opportunities is brilliant to see. This momentum looks set to continue and is a very exciting time for Park and Pipe in Scotland”, continued Ben.

As the national governing body for all snowsports in Scotland, Snowsport Scotland is responsible for facilitating and encouraging participating in snowsports as well as developing and nurturing Scottish and GB snowsports athletes. The organisation has recently launched a new equality campaign to encourage females, LGB and those living with a disability to get involved in snowsports as well as the introduction of a new instructor qualification which allows those under 16 and disabled to instruct.

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