Ages: HS: 13-17

High School XC – Academy

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High School Program
Leaders

High School XC Academy

 

The SD22 Snow Sports Nordic Academy, delivered in collaboration with Okanagan School District #22, offers Western Canada’s first high-performance integrated training program for XC and Biathlon athletes in grades 8 through 12. It is integrated within the SD22 timetable and caters to SD22 student-athletes with a commitment to athletic and academic excellence.

The SD22 Snow Sports Academy; XC & Biathlon utilizes the first semester of the school year in order to provide athletes in year-round training programs the opportunity to train during their A/B school block. It grants these young athletes a glimpse into the life of a full-time athlete. The majority of the athlete’s year is spent with their teammates in the L2C program and outside of the first semester it follows that program schedule.

 

Eligibility:

  • Currently enrolled in a SD22 High School (or online program) in Grades 8 through 12.
    If you need help finding a school, or VLearn representative, then contact us!
  • Must have a valid Sovereign Lake Nordic Club Season Pass
  • Acceptance to the SD22 Snow Sports Academy is at the discretion of the coaches in order to ensure that athletes who apply are ready developmentally (both physically & academically).
  • Registration Deadline: An expression of interest form must be filed with the SD22 by May 31, 2025.

 

Cost Schedule: $3,075

Optional SLNC Van Transportation (Sep-Jan on Tue-Fri): $200

 

Why Join the SLNC Nordic Development Academy?

  • Integration with Okanagan School District #22 provides students with daytime training in Block A/B of the common timetable permitting the entire ski team the chance to train together, regardless of school or grade.
  • Any opportunity for athletes from smaller clubs to come together with like-minded high school students to train as a larger team.
  • Increase scholastic resources and individual training support.
  • Possible bussing support is planned for the 2025-26 season to decrease reliance on parent driving. There will be a monthly bussing fee throughout the training season to offset this cost.
  • Grade 11-12 students will complete NCCP Introduction to Community Coaching and Community Coaching courses as part of their curriculum and will assist with coaching select, scheduled Bunnies and Jack Rabbits Programs sessions. Giving back to the ski community is an important part of being an athlete.
  • Early and Late Season On Snow Training with almost 6 months on snow.
  • Year-Round Training Program.
  • Athletes receive a Physical Education credit.

If you have any questions about the Academy XC Program please reach out to the XC Head Coach, Darren Derochie at [email protected]

Program Details

Dates
 Registration opens May 15th/Closes September 30th

Program: May 15th, 2025 – April 1st, 2026
(SD22 Snowsports Academy Semester #1 runs Sep 8, 2025 – Jan 30, 2026)
Schedule
  

Summer Schedule

Tue, Wed, Thu 8:30 – 11am
Refer to SLNC Learning to Compete Program


School Schedule (1st Semester / Sep-Jan)

Tuesday – Friday:
SD22 Wk #1  8:30 – 11:00 am
SD22 Wk #2  12:30 – 3:00 pm
(Alternates weekly, as above, following SD 22 ‘A block’ rotation)

Saturday 9:00 – 11:30am School Schedule (2nd Semester / Feb-Mar)

Refer to SLNC Learning to Compete Program 
Length of Session
 1.5 to 3hrs

 

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*Consultation and approval to participate in this program must be given by SLNC Coaching Staff and the  SD22 Snowsports Nordic Academy liaison Glen Stiven before registering. This is to ensure that the Academy is a good “fit” for student-athletes and that they are aware of – and appropriately prepared for –  the demands of Academy training and academic study.

*A SLNC 25/26 season pass is required for all programs – but is not included in Program pricing.

 

 

 

V-Learn Coordinator: Glen Stiven

Hello! I moved to Vernon for work in 1993 and that same winter bought skis, joined SLNC and have been learning to ski ever since. Our whole family now skis at Sovereign and Silver Star and we even have a racer in the house. A long weekend ski on the Sovereign trails is right up there with my favourite things to do. I believe that Sovereign Programs is a quality choice for families and support it as a parent, coach and race official.
Role: Snowports Nordic SD22 liaison and Sport Development teacher. I teach Science in SD22’s Alternate and Online Programs as well as the online Sport Development course that our Academy skiers do to facilitate their daytime training. My philosophy, as the Sport Development teacher, is to support the vision of the Sovereign Coaching Staff and build the course around what is happening during the Academy daytime training and other Club activities. I have coached in Sovereign Programs from Jackrabbit 3/4 through to JD and have NCCP training to T2T for cross country. I also coach Youth Rowing where I am certified as a Learn to Row and RCA Coach. I hold a HBSc (Biochemistry) and M.Kin (Coaching Specialization – Rowing) both from UWO.
Other athletic experience: Basketball was my favourite sport in high school, but I also learned to row in the summer. I continued rowing at UWO as a member of the men’s lightweight varsity crew, ’86-’90. Rowing introduced me to friends (like my wife Pam), coaches, training, and racing. Along the way, we enjoyed memorable wins (because it took a while and we had come up short before) at Canadians, Canadian Henley, OUAA’s, and Head of the Charles. I still row and also enjoy skiing, biking, bocce, and an annual round of golf.

 

 

 

Darren Derochie – XC Lead Coach

Eric Schryer – Biathlon Lead Coach 

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.

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