FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2022
Building on the 10-year success of the SLNC high school Ski Academy program, SLNC will be launching Canada’s newest training centre for the 2022-23 season that is focused on high school and post-secondary athletes seeking to achieve both academic and athletic excellence. The SLNC Nordic Development Academy will fill a recognized gap in the long-term athlete development model. Seeking to keep teenagers engaged in sport throughout High School and University is a primary focus and goal. Providing a common daytime training schedule for athletes creates stronger team dynamics, increases focused training and recovery opportunities and provides a well-rounded approach to the training program. The goal is to create life-long skiers while assisting athletes to achieve their short and medium-term skiing performance goals.
Partnering with the Vernon School District #22 Snowsports Academy Program, University of British Columbia: Okanagan, and Okanagan College, the Academy will work with athletes to ensure scholastic excellence and create pathways to success throughout their high school and post-secondary career as an athlete.
“We recognize that there are some significant holes in our current system with regard to team training opportunities for athletes in Grade 11 and 12 and through the first few years of post-secondary education. We want to provide collaborative and inclusive training opportunities for motivated kids who may not have the capacity at smaller clubs nor have the 6 month long on-snow training season that SLNC is so well known for. Attrition from sport is rampant and we will offer an inclusive training and racing environment for athletes to excel”.
– Troy Hudson (SLNC General Manager)
Offering High School and Post-Secondary Training Programs in both Cross Country and Biathlon, SLNC has also announced that it will be hiring an additional Full-Time Year-Round HP Coach to help steer these programs into the future with a start date of June 1st, 2022. Applications are now being accepted through to March 30th.
“I am thrilled to be advancing the opportunities for growth and excellence here at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club. Join the SLNC Nordic Development Academy where the team thrives with world-class ski trails, hiking trails, biking, roller skiing, new biathlon facilities and a professionally run club! I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge with you and am committed to guiding all team members to reach their potential. With the addition of a new full-time coaching position to work alongside me, we will be providing you with even more expertise and direction – we are looking forward to having you on the team!”
– Jacqueline Akerman (SLNC Head Coach)
The Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy is dedicated to placing athletes on the podium while also providing coaching courses and instructor courses to provide athletes with tools to become future industry professionals once their ski career ends or to offset some of their living expenses while in university. There are numerous employment opportunities within the ski club from teaching lessons to coaching Jack Rabbits or Biathlon Bears and working inside the day lodge.
“Congratulations to SNLC for this incredible initiative. To see such support for our student-athletes and recognition of the need for balance and accessibility is encouraging and well aligned with our long-term athlete development model. The addition of dedicated coaching staff to the already existing quality programming and infrastructure demonstrates a true commitment to this initiative. The student-athlete pathway is integral to the retention and development of our athletes, and we applaud SNLC and look forward to the launch of this program.”
-Julie Beaulieu (Nordiq Canada Director of Development)
As the program unfolds, the SLNDA will expand working relationships with Nordiq Canada, Biathlon Canada, CCBC and Biathlon BC.
“We are excited that SLNC is providing high school aged biathletes who are on the competitive pathway a quality training environment, team and coaches! The SLNC Nordic Development Academy provides an opportunity to thrive in school, sport and life. Additionally, partnerships with UCBO and Okanagan College is a needed extension of the competitive pathway for post-secondary focused biathletes!”
-Jessica Blenkarn (Biathlon BC Head Coach and Technical Director)
Vernon BC offers some of the most spectacular winter and off-season training opportunities in the country with 3 lakes, 200+km of hiking and biking trails, endless paved backcountry roads, mild winters, close proximity to post-secondary education, and an international airport just 20 minutes from downtown Vernon, there is a lot to be excited about when considering a move to the SLNC Academy Program.
The Sovereign Lake Junior Development Academy is accepting applications for our first intake until May 1st, 2022. There are limited spaces available for the 2022-23 season.
Contact SLNC Head Coach, Jacqueline Akerman for more details at [email protected].
Check out our website for program details at the links below:
Ski Academy Resources Page
Biathlon Academy Resources Page
Hailing from Sudbury, Ontario, Eric began his journey in skiing and biathlon by striding and gliding around his property with his parents. After discovering biathlon he patiently waited until he was old enough and then began learning to shoot in his local air rifle biathlon program. This quickly evolved to teaching himself how to shoot .22 rifles with a small group of athletes. After racing domestically, Eric was quickly scooped up by the coaching world. Eric began coaching with the Chelsea Nordiq ski & biathlon club. Along with leading this talented group of biathletes, Eric coached at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and a multitude of Jr. IBU cups, IBU cups, and World Youth / Junior Championships with Team Canada. Eric is a member of Biathlon Canada’s Domestic Committee and is continuing his education in the field of psychology.
