Dear Alpine Ontario Alpin Community,
This past season brought strong growth, athletic achievement, and real progress for Alpine Ontario Alpin. Paralympic medals for Michaela Gosselin and Sierra Smith in Milano Cortina brought great pride to our province. We also face challenges: a thinning national sport pathway, more variable climate conditions, rising participation costs, and U16 results that still trail our neighbouring provinces. As we enter year four of our 2023-2028 strategic plan, we’re making changes to meet them.
A major milestone this year was steadying our finances through a full restructuring of our financial operations. We cut our deficit from $241,432 to $24,777, moved to new financial systems, and reduced overhead with a smaller office.
Our community keeps growing. Registration reached 4,218, up 15.2% over five seasons. Registered officials rose from 396 to 539, and we supported 1,124 licensed coaches. Every partner renewed, White Raven joined, and the new Alpine Fund opened a path for tax-receiptable gifts.
On safe sport, we ran our first provincial coach verification audit, checking licensing for 217 coaches in U12 to U16 programs. Three complaints were handled through ITP Sport and Recreation’s independent process.
Looking ahead, we’re finalizing a training partnership with Mt. Sima in the Yukon, building a shared FIS quota system with Quebec and Ski NB, and launching a new U18/21 provincial series. The Value of Ski Racing study gives clubs hard numbers for talks with ski areas on training space and pricing.
We trust that these initiatives will help build a more accessible and thriving landscape for our sport for the years ahead.
Warm Regards
Patrick Biggs
Executive Director
LINK to the FULL ANNUAL REPORT HERE