Welcome to the Team Hardwood Membership and Program Registration

This process is to register athletes into our programs as well as to register other key participants (e.g. coaches, wax techs, board members) who contribute to our club and are required to be paid registered members of Southern Ontario District/,Cross Country Ontario/Cross Country Canada.

Please proceed to select the appropriate registration category for each person you are registering.

2022-23

Sr. National Program

Program for post-secondary athletes, who are committed to racing, and training year -round with the ultimate goal of performing at their personal best at the Canadian National Championships.

Program starts September 1st, 2022 with training days Monday/Tuesday/ Thursday/Saturday/Sunday in the fall and winter.

These athletes will attend O cup races, World Jr/U23 Trial races, Eastern Cups, OCups, OUACs, Nationals, as well as select other races as determined by the coach.

Program overview

September to 1st snow – winter program starts Sept. 1st, 2022 with training Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday. Monday and Thursday sessions will be strength sessions held on Zoom.

1st snow through December -start training on snow Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday & early season races, Monday will be Zoom strength sessions – Canada Cup and December O-Cup/Eastern Cup and local races

January / February – local races, Ontario Cups, World Jr/U23 Trial races and Canadian Eastern Cups, and OUACs

March/April – Nationals at Lappe, OCups, local races

Program cost – $1779 + HST + SOD, CCO, CCC fee of $21. 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. Skiers aged 13-19 is $360 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $420 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $116 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $728 + HST. The discounted winter trail pass also extends to parents and siblings of program skiers. Program skiers receive a 20% discount on race entries to Hardwood Ski and Bike organized races. Skiers and immediate family members receive a 15% discount on regularly priced items in the retail and service department.

Those athletes wishing to develop coaching skills will be given the opportunity to assist the head coach with coaching and mentoring younger Team Hardwood athletes. Interested athletes may also get support for coaching certification.

Program fees include all waxing fees. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the wax trailer during the season.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing licence and race fees in addition to program fees.

National Program

Team Hardwood National Program forms the foundation of the Team Hardwood racing team and is geared for athletes in grade 9 and up, (Grade 8 upon coach’s assessment) who are committed to year round training for xc skiing with the ultimate goal of performing at their personal best at the Canadian National Championships.

Our goal is to help athletes improve their technique and racing skills and we aim to expose skiers to as many racing opportunities as possible in a year- round program that builds skills, endurance and familiarity with what it takes to be a full-time skier. Athletes benefit from training with a group of peers who motivate and support each other.

Program overview

September to 1st snow – winter program starts Sept. 1st, 2022 with training Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday. Monday and Thursday sessions will be strength sessions held on Zoom

1st snow through December -start training on snow Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday & early season races. Monday will be Zoom strength sessions – Canada Cup and December O-Cup and local races

January / February – local races, Ontario Cups, World Jr/U23 Trial races and Canadian Eastern Championships.

March/April – Nationals at Whistler, OCups, local races

Program cost: $1779 + HST + SOD, CCO, CCC fee of $21 (for those not in summer program). 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. Skiers aged 13-19 is $360 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $420 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $116 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $728 + HST. discounted winter trail pass also extends to parents and siblings of program skiers. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $728 + HST. skiers receive a 20% discount on race entries to Hardwood Ski and Bike organized races. Skiers and immediate family members receive a 15% discount on regularly priced items in the retail and service department.

Program fees include all waxing fees. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the wax trailer during the season.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing licence and race fees in addition to program fees.

Provincial Program

The Provincial program is focused on athletes in Grade 8 and high school who want to train for cross country skiing in a structured, competition-oriented group but who are not ready/available to commit to training for xc skiing full time. The racing focus for this program is on local Ontario Cup and SOD Paraffin Cup and other local loppet and high school races. The training and technique instruction is designed to push athletes to achieve at a higher level of fitness and competency. The full value of the program is derived from the consistent day to day relationship the skier develops with their coach and teammates.

Coaches will provide solid, consistent training and racing opportunities for motivated athletes while simultaneously fostering a lifelong love for an active, outdoor lifestyle. The Provincial program will start on September 10th, 2022 for skiers not in the Summer program or September 1st for those who were in the Summer Program and will run until the second week of March. Training sessions will be available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday and Sundays; Monday and Thursday will be strength sessions on Zoom and Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday will be group training sessions.Due to the lower level of commitment that the National Program, Provincial Program Athletes will attend 3 sessions (of their choosing) per week.

There are a number of travel opportunities for provincial program athletes who are interested in racing the Ontario Cup level races, as well as attending local & regional races. Participation at Nationals is not included in this program. Athletes in the provincial program who request to participate at Nationals will be assessed by the coach and will pay an extra coaching fee (TBD based on trip costs) for this event.

overview

September to 1st snow – winter program starts Sept. 10th, 2022 (September 1st for those who were in the Summer Program) with training Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday. Monday and Thursday sessions will be strength sessions held on Zoom.

1st snow through December -start training on snow Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday as in the fall & early season races – December O-Cup and local races. Mondays will be Zoom strength sessions

January / February – local races, Ontario Cups and Eastern Cups, high school races

March – local races and OCups

Program fee: $1204 + HST + SOD, CCO, CCC fee of $19 fall trail pass (for those not in summer program) 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. Skiers aged 13-19 is $360 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $420 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $116 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $728 + HST. discounted winter trail pass also extends to parents and siblings of program skiers. Program skiers receive a 20% discount on race entries to Hardwood Ski and Bike organized races. Skiers and immediate family members receive a 15% discount on regularly priced items in the retail and service department.

Program fees include all waxing fees. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the wax trailer during the season.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing licence and race fees in addition to program fees.

Junior Program

The Junior program is designed to motivate skiers in Grades 6 through 8 (and younger athletes upon coach’s assessment) who consider Nordic skiing their favourite winter sport. Skiers will further develop skate and classic technique through coordination and agility drills, demonstrations and trail skiing adventures. Program content is age appropriate and FUN! The program will be led by Jason and Sarah Vurma with support from Head Coach Jack Sasseville, Bronwen Lash & volunteers.

Skills assessment will take place on Saturday, September 24th for all new and returning athletes.

Program starts on Saturday, October 1st with a training session and group information session.

Two training days in the fall (Tuesday - at Hardwood until the time change, then zoom strength until the snow arrives & Saturday mornings)

Three training days when skiing (Tuessday evening, Saturday & Sunday mornings)

Training between Christmas and New Year

Athletes will attend local and regional races like the SOD paraffin series and loppets.

Race trip to Ontario Youth Championships.

Program cost:

• $859 + HST + SOD, CCO, CCC fee of $21. 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. Skiers aged 13-19 is $360 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $420 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $116 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $728 + HST. This discounted winter trail pass also extends to parents and siblings of program skiers. Program skiers receive a 20% discount on race entries to Hardwood Ski and Bike organized races. Skiers and immediate family members receive a 15% discount on regularly priced items in the retail and service department.

Program fees include all waxing fees. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the wax trailer during the season.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and race fees in addition to program fees.

The Coaches

Jack Sasseville - Head Coach

Jack is the Founding Head Coach of Team Hardwood in 1995 and coached the team until he took over the management of Hardwood Ski and Bike in 2008. Jack is an NCCP Level V coach who has been coaching for 47 years, including 13 years and 4 Olympics with the National Ski Team. He is a former Alberta and Ontario Coach of the Year. He has coached national and international champions of all ages. His skiers have won over 300 medals at Canadian Championships.

Sarah and Jason Vurma

Sarah has over 15 years of experience in coaching Young Adults and Children in Nordic Skiing and is a long-time High School Nordic Ski Coach. Both Sarah and Jason have completed the NCCP Community Coaching for Cross Country Skiing and Learn to Train Course as well as holding coaching certificates in Mountain Bike. Both Sarah and Jason have raced in Triathlons, Cross Country Skiing, and Mountain Biking for 20 years.

Junior Team Assistant Coach - Brownen Lash

Bronwen Lash originally raced for the Nova Scotia provincial team in numerous provincial and national level events and later Laurentian University. Bronwen has coached school teams and at club level for over 20 years, achieving NCCP level 3 coaching certification.

Coaches - Declan Barber

Older athletes are recruited to assist coaching and direction of the programme. These athletes offer a high level of competency in the technical and performance aspects of the sport. They further serve as mature role models for younger skiers who are typically enthusiastic to connect with these successful members of Team Hardwood.

Parent Volunteers

Team Hardwood depends on parent volunteers to keep the program running smoothly. In order for athletes to get the most out of the coaches’ expertise in coaching, we expect parents to share responsibility for fundraising, trip planning, waxing and other functions as needed.

Trip Planning - Typically, a different parent (or group of parents) undertakes planning for each major race trip (O’ Cups, Canadian Eastern Champs, Nationals, Youth Ontario Championships). This usually involves securing accommodation, coordinating transportation and arranging one or more team meals. For families new to Team Hardwood, there are lots of experienced parent volunteers to provide guidance on expectations.

Waxing - assistance with waxing, especially for races where TH has a large number of athletes. This is an opportunity for those who want to learn more about waxing to get guidance from more experienced parent volunteers

Fundraising - TH participates in a number of fundraising events throughout the year. We always need parent volunteers to help make this successful.

The Junior Devo program led by Sarah and Jason Vurma, will require coaching and leadership support from parent volunteers. These volunteers will be expected to manage small groups of skiers or individual skiers who need one-on-one assistance, leaving Sarah and Jason to coach the larger group. These parent volunteers will benefit by receiving training from Jack, Sarah and Jason on proper training, technique, teaching and coaching skills in early season training sessions.

Covid 19

Team Hardwood takes the safety of our athletes, coaches and families very seriously and our Program offerings are tailored to conform to the guidelines provided by Public Health authorities and our governing sports bodies, Nordiq Canada and Cross-Country Ski Ontario. We successfully operated a summer dryland training program in accordance with all COVID-19 guidelines and will continue to ensure we prioritize the safety of the Team Hardwood family as we transition to our Fall/Winter Programs.

Vaccination/COVID Protocols

Now that vaccinations are available for everyone, Team Hardwood mandates that all athletes, coaches and anyone else working in a volunteer capacity be fully vaccinated (which is defined as 2 doses of a vaccine) to take part in all Team Hardwood training sessions, social activities and races as well as disclose their vaccination status. We also encourage everyone to stay up to date with recommended booster doses when available.

COVID protocols for dealing with positive cases, contacts with positive cases and returning to training will adhere to the current provincial public health guidelines.