viaSport welcomes the BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society as an affiliated Provincial Sport Organization
Vancouver, B.C. – As part of its mandate to grow amateur sport in B.C., viaSport is pleased to welcome its newest Affiliated Provincial Sport Organization, BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society. As an organization serving the unique participants of this niche sport, Affiliate status enables BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society to benefit from a wider range of viaSport’s training, development and grant opportunities. Affiliate status is part of a viaSport recognition program to foster the development of sport and elevate sector excellence.
Ski Jump has a long history in B.C., from a World Record set by Nels Nelsen in 1916 in Revelstoke, to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park. To expand the presence of the sport in the province, members of the Sea to Sky Nordics Club established BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society as a provincial sport organization in 2018.
“Awarding affiliate status to the BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society is a meaningful way to provide the organization with additional support to enhance the development of the sport that will increase access and opportunity for participants,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO of viaSport BC, the province’s agency and champion for amateur sport. “Our goal is to build the capacity of a diverse sport sector, and recognizing these sports helps to expand our reach and build a high quality, cohesive sport ecosystem.”
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics provided the opportunity to reinvigorate recognition of this sport in B.C. Since 2010, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined events have been held at Whistler Olympic Park, including North American Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships, FIS Cups and Continental Cups. The completion of two training jumps at Whistler Olympic Park and a summer jump at Squamish Legacy Park has rejuvenated the development of local athletes and expanded the region’s capacity for event hosting for this unique winter sport.
“We are excited about achieving Affiliate Status with viaSport. The continued support of viaSport, Whistler Sport Legacy and Whistler Olympic Park is important for the development of a strong Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined program as well as developing a strong group of volunteers and officials in B.C.” said Jim Woosley, President of the BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society. “We are looking forward to a seeing many new World records set and Olympic Gold medals won by British Columbians in the future.”
About BC Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Society
After the successful conclusion of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, an informal group of interested Nordic Jumping enthusiasts started to rebuild Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined in B.C., now the recognized Provincial Sport Organization in the province. Their work has been aimed at promoting and co-ordinating competitive and non-competitive development including a provincial team and province-wide development program. Learn more at http://www.seatoskynordics.ca/
About viaSport
viaSport British Columbia is a not-for-profit organization created with the support of the provincial government as a legacy of the 2010 Games. viaSport leads the province’s sport sector to build a stronger, more effective system that brings more families to the field of play and more fans into the stands. viaSport’s work supports amateur sport organizations in delivering safe, inclusive and meaningful sport experiences for all British Columbians while working closely with the Province of B.C. to administer sport funding and grants. Learn more at www.viasport.ca
Photo by: Brian Aikens
