Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update April 25

Table of Contents

• 2024-2025 Para Nordic Team and AAP Nominations
• 2024-2025 National High Performance Program and AAP Carding Nominations
• Club and Division Job Postings Web Page
• AGM Information: Register before May 5
• Nordiq Canada Awards
• Thank you Officials!

Nominations

Nominations

Learn More

Register Here

Nomination Form

Awards will be presented at this year’s AGM June 6-9 in Whitehorse, YT.
Questions?  Contact Krista at krobinson@nordiqcanada.ca

Learn More About Officials

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Weekly Division Update April 18 

Table of Contents

• 2025 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals
• Nordic Sports Coaches Conference

Learn More

Registration

Detailed Program

When: April 25-28

Where: Canmore AB

Program: (Click here)

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Wade Gilbert, hailing from Canada, is a dynamic coaching top name and esteemed professor at California State University – Fresno. Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to coaching theory and practice, he’s a sought-after advisor to top-tier sport organizations globally, with a track record of coaching medal-winning teams and revolutionizing sports communities.

What to bring: 
•⁠  ⁠Computer, notebook, etc.
•⁠  ⁠A way to take and view video.
•⁠  ⁠Videos of your athletes for review for one of the workshops – with permission from the athletes to use them.
•⁠  ⁠Workout clothes.
•⁠  ⁠Ski boots, poles, helmet, roller skis

Accommodation: Check out our deal through Basecamp

Dietary Restrictions: 
Please contact Krista with any dietary restrictions: krobinson@nordiqcanada.ca

We hope to see you there for a weekend of connecting and learning!

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update April 11

Table of Contents

• The Ski Playground: An Introduction to Sport for Life for All Canadians
• Nordiq Canada Board of Directors Call for Nominations
• Nordic Sports Coaches Conference
• Congratulations Porcupine Ski Runners on winning our Nordiq Canada Snow Day competition!

Full Story

Ski Playground

Learn More

Registration

Congratulations Porcupine Ski Runners on winning our Nordiq Canada Snow Day competition!

Over 70 participants took part in Porcupine Ski Runners Snow Day for an intro to skiing, trying out the Ski Playground, followed by enjoying marshmallows, hot chocolate, and juice by the fire! It was an amazing day in the snow with many getting their first taste of cross-country skiing.

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update April 4 

Table of Contents

• Nordiq Canada Awards
• National Winter Sports Development Association Gives the Gift of Consistency

Nordiq Canada Awards – Do you know someone who should be nominated? 

For over 30 years these awards have provided national recognition to Canada’s most impactful people in our cross-country ski community.

Dave Rees Award 
Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding long-term commitment to cross country skiing in Canada.

Firth Award 
Awarded to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to cross country skiing in Canada.

Distinguished Volunteer Award 
Awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to cross country skiing.

Nominations are due May 2. 

Nomination Form

Awards will be presented at this year’s AGM June 6-9 in Whitehorse, YT.
Questions?  Contact Krista at krobinson@nordiqcanada.ca

National Winter Sports Development Association Gives the Gift of Consistency

Consider for a moment that 19 out of 20 Canadians who participated in the most recent World Junior and U23 Championships have been impacted by NWSDA funding, as have many Olympians.

Formed in 2008 as an initiative launched by B.C.-born business titan and philanthropist Bob Disbrow with his partner Kim Kawaguchi, the NWSDA has provided a consistent stream of funding support in developing cross country skiers from coast to coast to coast. The funding is centred on helping clubs pay for and develop coaches who will allow internationally competitive athletes to flourish.

Full Story

Nordiq Canada invites its members, the public, and other interested candidates who are passionate about our Purpose to get all Canadians on skis and more athletes on podiums to respond to the Call for Nominations, or to identify and encourage other qualified candidates to apply.

Specifically, we are looking for candidates with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas to help round out the capacity and capabilities of the Board:

• Fundraising and business development to assist the CEO with attracting a broader range of supporters for the organization,
• Financial management,
• Strategic planning,
• Human Resources.

Nordiq Canada is committed to building cross country skiing as a sport that reflects and embraces the diversity of Canada and supports a culture that is equitable, open, welcoming, and inclusive. Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in applying for a Board position, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing the skills, experiences, competencies, and interests that you feel you can contribute to the Board to mbegley@nordiqcanada.ca. Your cover letter and resume will be included with the AGM Notice to Members.

Please submit your application no later than May 9, 2024. Once the nomination period has closed applicants will be contacted by the Nominations Committee for interviews. Details of the nomination, election process, and the definition of an Independent Director, are set out in Nordiq Canada’s by-laws.

Interested individuals should also be familiar with some particulars related to how the Nordiq Canada Board operates as a policy board by reviewing the following resources:

• Board Policy Manual
• Policy Governance Overview and Resources

Thank you for your interest!

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update April 2

Table of Contents

• COC and Sprint Overall Winners
• 2023-2024 Nordiq Canada Season Highlights
• AGM Information: Book your flight before April 6

COC and Sprint Overall Winners

Sonjaa Schmidt and Max Hollmann claim the Overall Continental Cup Title, while Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt and Julien Locke secure the Sprint Series Overall victory!

These titles are earned through performances in tier 1 domestic races during the 2023-24 winter season. Visit our website for the complete ranking list and to learn more about the Continental and Sprint series.

Learn More

2023-2024 Nordiq Canada Season Highlights

7 Para Biathlon World Ski Championships Medals
2 U23 World Ski Championships Golds
24 Para nordic World Cup podiums
1 World Cup top five
1 Para Biathlon Crystal globe – overall winner
6 World Cup top ten’s
3 Para nordic Cross Country overall podiums
4 top ten World Junior/U23 finishes
2 top ten Youth Olympic Games finishes

Thank you Canada for a historic season! It wouldn’t have been possible without the thousands of people across the country supporting our athletes, and our partners. GO GO

AGM Information: Book your flight before April 6

The Annual Conference and General Meeting (AGM) is June 6-9 in Whitehorse, Yukon. Full details can be found here.

Flights: If you are a Division Chair or Board Member, please email Ashley Orr to book your flights. Nordiq Canada will only pay for flights that are booked by April 6. If you need an extension, please email Megan Begley before April 6.

Register Here

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update March 21

Table of Contents

• Register for Coaches Conference
• Jackrabbit Toque Contest Winner
• Register for the AGM
• Staff Departures

Register for the Coaches Conference

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Wade Gilbert is a dynamic coaching top name and esteemed professor at California State University – Fresno. Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to coaching theory and practice, he’s a sought-after advisor to top-tier sport organizations globally, with a track record of coaching medal-winning teams and revolutionizing sports communities.

Register Here

Accommodation: Check out our deal through Basecamp – See discount here.

We hope to see you there for a weekend of connecting and learning!

We have a winner! 

Congratulations 10-year-old Madeleine from Strathcona Nordics on winning our 2025 Jackrabbit Toque Contest! We are blown away by how many talented skiers there are across Canada, and narrowing it down to one design was no easy feat. Thank you to everyone who submitted a design to this year’s contest

AGM – Registration is now open!

The Annual Conference and General Meeting (AGM) is June 6-9 in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Register Here

Full details can be found in last week’s newsletter here.

Staff Departures

It is with sadness that I share with you today that Robin McKeever and Kate Boyd have left Nordiq Canada and will no longer pursue their respective roles as National Team Head Coach and High-Performance Director, Para-Nordic.

I know you join me in thanking Robin and Kate for their long-time service and wishing them exciting new endeavours in their professional lives. Both have been instrumental to athlete well-being and success throughout their careers with Nordiq Canada, and we are deeply thankful for their passionate contribution to the organization and our ski community.

With these changes, it is time to review the way we deliver services. We remain 100% committed to supporting athletes. We will work with athletes, coaches, partners, and staff to review and confirm a transition plan and our vision for the long term.

Today brings an opportunity to improve efficiencies and collaboration between Olympic and Paralympic programs, and development and high performance, while recognizing where specific programming and customization remain important. In this regard, I am pleased to share that Chris Jeffries has accepted the position of High Performance Director for both Olympic and Para Nordic programming.

Over the last three years, Nordiq Canada experienced meaningful growth in programs, participation, and performances. Our new strategic direction and focused investments are paying off. As you have witnessed this season, our national teams delivered remarkable results. Examples include Mark Arendz’ crystal globe for overall para biathlon World Cup standing, Derek Zaplotinsky’s first World Cup gold medal, two gold medals at U23 World Championships, and Antoine Cyr getting as close as it gets to a World Cup podium and finishing 10th in the overall standings.

We are thrilled to be enjoying great momentum from grassroots to international podiums. However, it is getting harder every year to maintain that momentum given the significant financial challenges faced by national sport organizations. Without an increase in core Sport Canada funding and with increasing costs and expectations, it is more important than ever to work together to execute on our strategic plan. With you, we remain committed to high performance as the cornerstone of our mission to see all Canadians on skis, and more Canadian athletes on podiums.

Please share this information within your offices and with your members as appropriate.

Weekly Division Update March 14

Table of Contents

• Mark Arendz wins Crystal Globe
• Register for the AGM
• Katie Weaver Acclaimed as Athlete Director

The perfect season for Mark Arendz!

After four World Cup wins and three World Championships titles, Arendz has gone undefeated in the 2024 season claiming the Overall World Cup title!