First Snow Fall Contest

| Deirdra

Here at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, we are seriously passionate about snow!

So much so, that we want to celebrate when it arrives. Furthermore.. we want to reward YOU for your best (clearly educated of course…) guess at the first snowfall which fully covers our stadium. Way to go you meteorologist, you!

As snow and community are what we are all about, we have three wonderful prizes for our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place contest winners. Our prizes come to us from our very own front desk, the wonderful Stussi Sport & Ratio Coffee Shop.

1st place will be awarded to the first person who chooses the right date; 2nd place will be awarded to the 2nd person on the list with the right date and 3rd place goes to the 3rd person on the list with the right date so hurry and make your selection!!  To spice up the excitement, we will have the first-place winner choose which prize they want, 2nd place will get to choose from the remaining 2 prizes and 3rd place will receive the remaining prize.

Prize #1: Sovereign Lake Nordic Club Season’s Pass. *You will receive a refund if you have already purchased your individual season pass.
Prize #2: Stussi Sport gift basket. with an assortment of wax, a Stussi mug, gift card, and hat.
Prize #3: Ratio Coffee Shop gift basket containing a toque, coffee beans, a mug, and stickers.

Contest Rules:

  1. Contestants can submit 1 guess.
  2. The contest submission period ends October 10th, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
  3. The contest winner is the individual who has the guess closest (by the minute, hour, day) with full ground coverage of the cross-country stadium. *In the scenario where the winner is an exact tie, 1st place will be awarded to the answer which was recorded first.*
  4. We are utilizing our webcam and video surveillance system to prove when full ground coverage is attained.
  5. You do not have to be local! Let’s spread that snow stoke around for all to enjoy!

Our goal with this contest is to appreciate our lovely community of skiing & snow enthusiasts! We hope you have fun!

To enter to contest please fill out this Google Form

For any questions or concerns, please contact Eric: [email protected]

Free E-Learning for National Coaches Week

| Deirdra

Happy National Coaches Week! Thank you for all of the hard work that you put into the club, and ski community that we have up at Sovereign Lake.

To help celebrate Nationals Coaches Week from Sept 16th – 24th  NCCP is offering free online e-learning courses. NCCP is offering a different course each day next week. You have to start the course on a set day but you can come back to it and finish it later if you do not have time to do it right away. 

The courses are:

Making Headway in Sport – Sept 16th

Emergency Action Plan Module – Sept 17th

Coach Initiation into Sport – Sept 18th

Creating a Positive Sport Environment – Sept 19th

Sport Nutrition – Sept 20th

Coaching Athletes with Disabilities – Sept 21st

Leading Drug-Free Sport – Sept 22nd

Mental Health in Sport – Sept 23rd

Support through Sport  – Sept 24th

Here is the link to all of the courses: https://coach.ca/national-coaches-week

2023/2024 Early Bird Season Passes On Sale & Youth Programs Registration Open June 26th at 8:00 AM

| Deirdra

2023/2024 Season Passes and Youth Program Registration will open on Monday, June 26th, 2023 at 8:00 AM.  Please check the new pricing structure which is now live on the website.

Coming Soon! Master Programs registration will ready shortly. Thanks for your patience.

We look forward to seeing you back at Sovereign Lake!

Youth Programs Town Hall Meeting, May, 2023

| Deirdra

Youth Programs Town Hall Meeting, May 2023

Thank you to parents and athletes for taking the time to attend the Youth Programs Town Hall hosted by board members and Programs staff. Your voices are important. Minutes for that meeting are located with other regular board minutes.  “Youth Programs Town Hall Meeting, May 2023”

We already have a resolution on Action item #3. Due to a Memorandum of Understanding between SD22 and SLNC the Academy entry point will remain the same, at grade 8, for this season. Any potential future changes will be discussed at the Programs Committee in the fall.

Sue Cairns

Job Posting: Full Time XC Coach

| Wendy Shannon
Sovereign Lake Nordic Club is seeking to fill the position of XC Coach. This is a full-time position and reports directly to the General Manager.  while acting as the XC Race Program Liaison on the Programs Committee (PC).
 
The XC Coach acts as the XC Race Program Liaison on the Programs Committee (PC) and will also co-lead the XC Race Team Sub-Committee meetings as deemed necessary with Parents and Coaches and will be expected to take a leadership role in monthly meetings of the PC in addition to weekly Management Team meetings when not in conflict with other work duties or races. 
 
The primary function of the XC Coach is to oversee all cross-country ski training for athletes aged 13 through post-secondary. The coach will work with the SDP Coach, Biathlon Coach and Adult Program Coach to create a long-term sustainable development model to grow club programming into the future, building on successes and implementing change where required.  
 
This coach must possess both practical and physical knowledge of modern classic and skate ski techniques, have the ability to ski and train with athletes of all age groups and be a competent roller skier. Strong leadership, collaboration and communication skills are required to implement programming as well as the ability to plan the season effectively for a multi-tiered program. Each coach oversees an annual budget and should have some basic knowledge and understanding of the budgeting process. 
 
The XC Coach will work alongside the Biathlon Coach. Each will head their respective programs but is expected to co-lead, collaborate, and intertwine the youth racing programs as much as possible.
 
This position is a departure from the former SLNC club model with an overarching Club Head Coach. We are building a diverse and strong team of professional staff to guide decision-making forward. SLNC has over 500 participants in Programs from Bunnies to Masters XC Racers. With a long ski season, outstanding grooming and facilities, SLNC is poised to become a racing hub under the right coaching leadership, alongside our team of talented coaching staff. 
 
Our post-secondary programs are growing, having successfully completed our first year of the Post Secondary Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy. 
 
This position will remain open until fulfilled but we are seeking a coach to be installed by mid-summer. Please review the Job Description for more information. 
 
Please submit your resume to: [email protected]

S2S Ski Marathon Beyond Expectations

| Wendy Shannon

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The second annual Sovereign to SilverStar Ski Marathon has successfully completed with 70% more registrations than in its inaugural year.  With over 600 participants, and 800 entries over the two days of event the S2S has already grown into Canada’s 3rd largest loppet and the biggest in BC.  This partnership event between Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and SilverStar Mountain Resort managed to raise $11,500 for Kidsport Vernon this year. Kidsport is a local charity that provides grants to cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under in Greater Vernon can play a season of sport.

Skier’s ages ranged from 8 to 83 and came from all over North America to participate.  Yellowknife Ski Club won the Club Competition based on participation and distance travelled, resulting in a large plaque and $2000 to the club.  The Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon was also the culmination of the Pacific Northwest Loppet Series.  The overall winners for the Series were: Women: 1st Suzanne King, 2nd Maureen Clement, 3rd Daphe Brown; Men: 1st Mikhial Kudienko, 2nd Kent Murdoch, 3rd Dan Packman

Winners over the weekend:

Saturday: Skate 21k Men: 1st Lex Hostyn, 2nd Brian Brush, 3rd Simon Lapointe; Women: 1st Natalie Wilkie, 2nd Erica Casey, 3rd Rhea Loiselle. Skate 40k Men: 1st Luke Jager, 2nd Scott Hill, 3rd Jack Carlyle; Women: 1st Novie McCabe, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, Katherine Stewart-Jones

Sunday: Classic, 21k Women: Ayla Musselman Bell, 2nd Sarah Johnson, 3rd Laura Salmon; Men: 1st Craig Demars, 2nd Rowan Musselman Bell, 3rd Michael Brewster.  Classic, 40k Women: 1st Novie McCabe, 2nd Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, 3rd Dahria Beatty; Men: 1st Julien Locke, 2nd Luke Jager, 3rd Scott Hill.

Image (credit Cynthia Flores) from left to right:

Marcus Boyle, Sovereign 2 SilverStar

Shayne Wright, Kidsport

Doug Ross, Kidsport

Pat van Mullem, Sovereign 2 SilverStar

 

 

 

 

 

Image of Event (credit Nathaniel Mah).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sovereign Lake Seeks New General Manager

| Wendy Shannon
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An exciting opportunity is now open to apply for the General Manager position of Sovereign Lake Nordic Club (SLNC). The new GM will manage one of the largest Nordic clubs in North America. SLNC has over 50K of Nordic trails along with snowshoe trails and a sliding hill for kids. Its location near Vernon BC ensures early snow, well-developed programs, local and National events plus a large and enthusiastic membership of 3000 members.
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The General Manager is responsible for managing the activities of the club including Nordic Operations, Human Resources, and Communication. The General Manager has the responsibility to ensure that the operations of the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club are conducted in an effective, efficient and safe manner consistent with the Club’s Strategic Plan and Annual Operating Plan. Working in partnership with the Board of SLNC, this role is critical in creating the success of Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
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SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Working knowledge of Nordic skiing, ski area operations, recreation/sports club development, and the non-profit sector.
  • Experience in administration, financial management and control, customer service and strategic planning.
  • Experience working closely with a Board of Directors.
  • Demonstrated initiative and ability to think independently.
  • Strong Leadership skills.
  • Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Tact, diplomacy, and the ability to listen to the views of others in a collaborative style.

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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage the day-to-day affairs and operations of the Club by developing and implementing operational, administrative, and financial procedures with senior staff.
  • Ensure that SLNC’s facilities and equipment are well maintained and available when needed.
  • Provide support to the Head Coach in the delivery of club programs.
  • Promote an organizational culture of tolerance, respect and safety among staff.
  • Develop a spirit of teamwork and sense of purpose among the staff toward achieving the Club’s goals.
  • Build relationships with industry partners.
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To apply for this exciting opportunity, direct your letter of interest and CV by April 17,
2023 to [email protected]

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BC Winter Games Underway: Day 1 Results

| Wendy Shannon

 

The BC Games are underway and 3 events took place on the opening day of Competitions. Athletes representing all corners of the province are in attendance and saw successes across the podiums in Friday’s competitions.

Cross Country Competitions (Individual Start – Classic): 

  • Para Nordic Sit Ski – Male: was won by Kadem Baum (Larch Hills- Okanagan), our only registered sit ski competitor of the event who laid down a blistering fast time on his course.
  • 3.5km Male: With a Hollyburn (Coast Region) podium sweep, Andrea Inkster, Mark Shapolov, and Noah Wilson prevailed in their category. SLNC athlete Simon Heidt, placed a strong 7th. 
  • 3.5km Female: With 3 regions representing the podium of the girls’ category, Aleah Smith (Nelson-Kootenays) laid down an unmatched performance taking the win by 30 seconds over the nearest competitor. Fiona Woodman (Revelstoke – Okanagan) took second, while Nadia Wallin of Williams Lake (Cariboo) landed the final podium spot, in 3rd.
  • 5km Male: With another Hollyburn (Coast) athlete Lucas Gitt taking first, Sovereign Lake (Okanagan) athlete Axel Hostyn, took second place, 43 seconds behind the leader, while Kimberley (Kootenays) athlete Koby Clark rounded out the podium.
  • 5km Female: Kiara Pighin (Telemark – Okanagan), former SLNC skier, took a commanding 20-second win,  while Madeleine Wilkie (Larch Hills – Okanagan) placed 2nd, with Ella Svenson (Rossland – Kootenays) in 3rd. SLNC athlete Carmen MacArthur was just outside of the medals with a solid 4th-place finish. 

The complete result list is available HERE.

 

Biathlon Competitions (Individual Sprint): 

  • Junior Boys: Ewan Hawes of Burns Lake (Northwest) took the top spot in the opening race of the day. Taje Hansen of Whistler (Coast) was 2nd with Aiden Firth rounding out the podium from Mount Currie (Coastal).  SLNC athlete James Holmes-Peters, placed 10th. 
  • Junior Girls: Former SLNC skier, now in Summerland (Okanagan) Jasmin Hanry placed 1st in the competition with clean shooting and an almost full 1-minute lead over her nearest competitor, SLNC athlete and torch bearer Sierra Munroe, landing a strong 2nd place finish having missed only one target, and Brydon Harris Irvin of North Van (Coastal) took the final podium position.  Savannah Bot of SLNC had a strong race with only one missed target placing 7th, while still enduring an ankle injury which occurred at the Biathlon National Championships.

Biathlon Competitions (2x 3km Team Relay): 

  • Junior Boys: The Zone 5 Boys Team of Aiden Firth and Taje Hansen placed first, Zone 8’s Nathanael Dean and David Hillhouse placed second and the Zone 2 Team of Tyler Lum and Rowan Bird took 3rd place. SLNC James Holmes-Peters placed 4th with teammate Oscar Nelson.
  • Junior Girls: The Zone 2 Team of SLNC athlete Sierra Munroe and Summerlands Jasmine Hanry took the top spot in the 3 x 1km race, Zone 8 Girls team of Isla Cadell and Natalie Hoehn placed 2nd and Zone 2’s Tayte Proulx-Royds and SLNC athlete Savannah Bot, rounded out the podium in 3rd. 

The complete result list is available HERE.