Welcome to the Team Hardwood Membership and Program Registration

Safe Sport

On July 1, 2023 Cross Country Ski Ontario (XCSO) adopted the Nordiq Canada Pan Canadian SafeSport Policy Suite. Adopting these policies is a condition of membership to XCSO and Nordiq Canada. While Team Hardwood and XCSO have had many of these policies in force for several years, it is a condition of membership that Team Hardwood is in compliance with Nordiq Canada.

As a part of this compliance Team Hardwood is requiring that all athletes enrolled in the National and Provincial programs take the Canadian Coaching Association (CAC) Safe Sport Training Module and the Understanding the Rule of Two eLearning module. The modules will take approximately two hours to complete and you will learn a lot about how to keep everyone safe in our programs. Please complete these modules by 22 September. Athletes who completed the modules last season will not have to complete them again this season. Any athletes who have not completed the modules by that point, will not be permitted to attend team training sessions.

Here is the link:

https://clubsafesport.nordiqcanada.ca/training/

Jeff Verheyen is the Safe Sport Officer for Team Hardwood. Once you have completed both modules please email confirmation (ccing your parents) of completion to Jeff at jefv@rogers.com .

Program fees include all waxing fees. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to help in the waxing trailer.

Senior National Program

Program for post-secondary athletes, who are living in the area, can train with the team full time, and are committed to racing, and training year round for cross country skiing with the ultimate goal of performing at their personal best in National and inter provincial races including the Canadian National Championships.

The program starts September 1st, 2025.

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.

Training sessions will be available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday and Sundays; Monday will be strength sessions on Zoom and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday will be group training sessions.

Program overview

• September to 1st snow – winter program starts Sept. 1st, 2025 with training Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday.  Monday 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.

Possible on snow training camp in November

• January / February – local races, Ontario Cups, World Jr/U23 Trial races and Canadian Eastern Cups, and OUs
• March/April – Nationals, OCups, local races

Program cost – $1922 + HST+ SOD, CCO, NC fee of $26 + 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. This pass will be available for purchase through a Hardwood Ski and Bike portal for team skiers. Skiers aged 13-19 is $388 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $452 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $124 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $788 + 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.

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.

Online registration (program plus trail pass) at zone4.ca will be open late August.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing license and race fees in addition to program fees. During the race season, skiers will be required to pay coaches/team expenses for races which they attend, which has ranged in the past $20 - $200 per race depending on distance and duration. This is in addition to their own travel/race fees.

Graduate Non-Resident Program

The program is for post-secondary skiers who have moved away from the area to go to school or work and would still like to be a part of Team Hardwood. These skiers would train with the team when they are at home, be coached by the coaching staff and receive race support when they attend races where the team is racing.

The fee for this program would be based on how often the skier is with the team for training, how much coaching they receive and how many races that they attend, and will be negotiated on an individual basis.

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.

Online registration (program plus trail pass) at zone4.ca will be open late August.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing license and race fees in addition to program fees. During the race season, skiers will be required to pay coaches/team expenses for races which they attend, which has ranged in the past $20 - $200 per race depending on distance and duration. This is in addition to their own travel/race 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 national and interprovincial races including 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. The full value of the program is derived from the consistent day to day relationship the skier develops with their coach and teammates.

The program starts on September 1st. Training sessions will be available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday and Sundays; Monday will be strength sessions on Zoom and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday will be group training sessions.

Program overview

• September to 1st snow – winter program starts Sept. 1st, 2025 with training Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday. Monday 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, OCups, local races

Program cost: $1922 + HST +SOD, CCO, NC fee of $23 + (for those not in summer program) + 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. This pass will be available for purchase through a Hardwood Ski and Bike portal. Skiers aged 13-19 is $388 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $452 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $124 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $788 + 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.

• Online registration at zone4.ca will be open in late August for program registration & Team Hardwood trail passes (2 separate registrations). Under registration, search Team Hardwood.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing licence and race fees in addition to program fees.  During the race season, skiers will be required to pay coaches/team expenses for races which they attend, which has ranged in the past $20 - $200 per race depending on distance and duration. This is in addition to their own travel/race fees.

Provincial Program

New this year! To help our younger skiers born in 2011 and 2012 bridge the gap between the Junior program and the Provincial program we have created a bridge program for the 2025-26 season - the Devo Squad.

Skiers in the Devo Squad  will be a part of the Provincial program and pay the Provincial program fees. They would be able to attend up to 3 practices a week. A portion of those practices would be with the Jr Program. (likely once every 2-3 weeks.)

There will be a designated Devo Squad coach who would work primarily with the Devo Squad skiers in conjunction with either the Senior team coaches or the junior team coaches depending on what practice the Devo squad skiers are attending.

The training groups in the senior program (Devo, Provincial and National) will meet together at the start of most workouts. Some workouts will be done together for the full workout, some will start together for warmup and technique work, some will start at different spots, depending on the workout planned and the terrain needed to challenge each group.

We still want to promote a full team concept with everyone working together and the younger/slower skiers having the opportunity to train with and see the faster skiers and the faster skiers having the opportunity to help the younger/slower skiers by being role models for technique, training speed, motivation, etc.

The Provincial program, including the Devo Squad, 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 Ontario Cup, 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 8th 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 will be strength sessions on Zoom and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday will be group training sessions. Due to the lower level of commitment than 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.

Program overview

• September to 1st snow – winter program starts Sept. 6th, 2025 (September 1st for those who were in the Summer Program) with training Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday. Monday 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
• January / February – local races, Ontario Cups and Eastern Cups, high school races
• March – local races and OCups

• Program fee is $1295 + HST +SOD, CCO, NC fee of $23 + fall trail pass (for those not in summer program) + 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. This pass will be available for purchase through a Hardwood Ski and Bike portal. Skiers aged 13-19 is $388 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $452 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $124 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $788 + 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.

• Online registration at zone4.ca will be open in late August for program registration & Team Hardwood trail passes (2 separate registrations) Under registration, search Team Hardwood.

Athletes will also incur all costs associated with travel and racing license and race fees in addition to program fees.  During the race season, skiers will be required to pay coaches/team expenses for races which they attend, which has ranged in the past $20 - $200 per race depending on distance and duration. This is in addition to their own travel/race fees.

Junior Program

The Junior program is designed to motivate skiers in Grades 5 through 8 (and younger athletes upon coach’s assessment) who consider Nordic skiing their favorite 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 Sarah Vurma with support from Head Coach Jack Sasseville, Jamie Herbst & volunteers.

• Program starts on Saturday, September 20th for all new and returning athletes.
• Two training days in the fall (Tuesdays - at Hardwood until the time change, then zoom strength until the snow arrives & Saturday mornings)
• Three training days when skiing (Tuesday evening, Saturday & Sunday mornings)
• Athletes will attend local and regional races like the SOD paraffin series and loppets.
• Race trip to one OCup race and to the Ontario Youth Championships.

Program cost:

• $922 + HST + SOD, CCO, NC fee of $23, + 20% discounted winter trail pass (on Super Early Bird pricing) for Hardwood Ski and Bike. This pass will be available for purchase through a Hardwood Ski and Bike portal. Skiers aged 13-19 is $388 + HST. Skiers 20 and over is $452 + HST. Skiers aged 6-12 is $124 + HST. For parents there is a discounted couples pass of $788 + 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.
• Online registration at zone4.ca will open in late August (2 separate registrations for program & trail pass) under registration page search for Team Hardwood
• 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.  During the race season, skiers will be required to pay coaches/team expenses for races which they attend, which has ranged in the past $20 - $200 per race depending on distance and duration. This is in addition to their own travel/race fees.

The Coaches

Head Coach - Jack Sasseville

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 50 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. In 2023 he was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and in 2024 he was awarded the Andy Higgins Lifetime Achievement Award by the Coaches Association of Ontario.

Junior Team Head Coach - Sarah 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. She has completed the NCCP Community Coaching for Cross Country Skiing and Learn to Train Course as well as holding coaching certificates in Mountain Biking. Both Sarah has raced in Triathlons, Cross Country Skiing, and Mountain Biking for 20 years.

Assistant Coach - Harry Seaton

Harry is a Team Hardwood graduate with over 20 years of racing experience as a junior and senior skier including 8 years as a member of the NTDC in Thunder Bay. He is a former National Champion and USport All-Canadian skier. His role is to help Jack to coach the Performance and Development programs while providing a positive example on how to train and to ski with good technique.

Assistant Coach - Jason Vurma

Jason has over 15 years of experience in coaching Young Adults and Children in Nordic Skiing. Jason has completed the NCCP Community Coaching for Cross Country Skiing and Learn to Train Course as well as holding coaching certificates in Mountain Biking. Jason has raced in Triathlons, Cross Country Skiing, and Mountain Biking for 20 years.

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.

Junior Team Assistant Coach - Jamie Herbst

Jamie is a school teacher who has actively competed and coached in cycling and skiing.  Jamie has assisted with Team Hardwood for nearly 5 years now. He has completed his Learn To Train dryland course.

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 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 to coach the larger group. These parent volunteers will benefit by receiving training from Jack and Sarah on proper training, technique, teaching and coaching skills in early season training sessions.