The BC Snowboard Association (BCSA) is pleased to announce that Cypress
Mountain, off icial snowboard venue f or the 2010 Olympic W inter Games has
shown continued support of the BCSA and the development of amateur athletes
within BC. The BC Development Team, which currently trains exclusively at Big
W hite Ski Resort, has expanded its scope to the Lower Mainland with regular
training planned at Cypress Mountain for the 2008-09 winter season.
The Provincial Development Snowboard Team is designed as a stepping stone
for young athletes to move up the ranks of competitive snowboarding within BC
and secure spots on the BC Provincial Snowboard-Cross and Halfpipe Teams.
The BC Provincial Teams in turn act as a f eeder-program for the Canadian
National Snowboard Team. The Development program, now entering its third
year in operation has received a huge amount of support f rom Big W hite Ski Area
where the teams have been based. W ith the expansion of the 2008-09 program
to include not only Big W hite Ski Resort but now Cypress Mountain, there will be
additional opportunities f or young athletes to become involved with the
competitive stream of snowboarding within BC.
Joff rey Koeman, Cypress Mountain’s Director of Sales & Marketing says, "W e
are very e xcited to have the BCSA Development Team expand to Cypress
Mountain. W hen the BCSA Team approached us on this idea we all felt that this
was a perfect f it for Cypress Mountain's ongoing commitment to developing snow
sport athletes in Vancouver and at Cypress Mountain the Off icial Freestyle Skiing
and Snowboard Venue for the 2010 Olympic W inter Games."
Unlike the Provincial Teams, the Development program is not specialized in any
one snowboard discipline. Rather, the athletes are encouraged to compete in
Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Snowboard-Cross events. Athletes within the program
must be at least 13 years old and generally have already gained some
competitive experience. In order to gain a spot within the Development Team,
athletes participate in one of two Selection Camps, the next being scheduled in
early December at both Big W hite Ski Resort and at Cypress Mountain.
Matt Galina, Development Team Head Coach comments that, “I think that it’s a
great opportunity that our program is expanding, as this will give even more
young riders the opportunity to get the coaching that will help them develop as
competitive snowboarders.
Currently there are eleven athletes on the BC Provincial De velopment Team. The
athletes compete in local competitions as well as BCSA Provincial Series Events.
The team trains in two areas in the province including Big W hite and Cypress Mountain. Additional inf ormation regarding the Development Program and the
Provincial Teams can be found at www.bcsnowboard.com
The BC Snowboard Association (BCSA) is a non-prof it sport organization, which
is the governing body of snowboarding with in the Province. The BCSA is an
organization that brings youth into a safe and supported environment while
competing in a sport they love. Up and coming National Team riders and future
pro athletes are bred through the BCSA and its programs.
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Published by BCSA: 10:57 AM
Updated On: 5/6/2008 at 12:58 PM
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