Celebrate Para Nordic at the Toronto Argonauts game June 18th!
Join XCSO at the Toronto Argonauts game on Sunday June 18th 2023 to recognize the accomplishments of the Ontario Para Nordic athletes throughout the 2022-23 season. The game is the Toronto Argos home opener vs the Hamilton Tiger Cats at 7pm on Sunday June 18th 2023. Tickets are $36/person. Section 105 Please email Jennifer Nieson […]
Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipient – Sally & Dick Hagman
Cross Country Ski Ontario & the Northern ON District are pleased to announce that Dick and Sally Hagman of Blind River Cross Country Ski Club are the recipients of the XCSO Outstanding Volunteer Award. Dick and Sally began volunteering at Blind River in the early 2000s. They work together, support each other and are both essential to the club’s continued growth and well being. Read about Sally & Dick HERE.
This award will be presented at the XCSO AGM on Sunday, May 28th at ~ 12:30pm. Please visit the XCSO Hall of Fame for information on our awards
Lifetime Achievement Award – Rod Somppi
The Cross Country Ski Ontario Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Rod Somppi of Lappe Nordic will be the recipient of the Cross Country Ski Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates outstanding contributions to cross country skiing in Ontario and Canada. Rod began his timing journey in 2006 at the Ski Nationals held at Lappe Ski Centre and has been involved since then. Please read more HERE.
Congratulations Rod! Thank you for your outstanding achievements in timing and your commitment to racing in Ontario and Canada! Rod will be presented with the award on Sunday, May 28 at XCSO AGM ~ 12:30pm.
Heinz Niederhauser Award Recipient – René Sauvé
Cross Country Ski Ontario is pleased to announce René Sauvé of Summerstown Coyote Nordiq as the recipient of the Heinz Niederhauser Outstanding Coaching Award. René was instrumental in developing a love of racing for youth at the Pembroke Area Cross Country Ski Club. In 2017, René moved to the Cornwall area and began Summerstown Coyote Nordiq. His goal was to bring cross country skiing to that area of the province and introduce young children to the sport. The club began with 12 and has grown to over 70 members with 29 Jackrabbits.
René was truly compelled to help others explore a love for cross-country skiing. He pursued his work with relentless optimism and effortful persistence. He was forward-looking and always anticipating his next step in his coaching journey. He embraced the challenges of the work and celebrated the people he worked alongside. He had intuition, perseverance and stories, so many wonderful stories.
René would come alive with an abundance of energy when it was time to chat about skiing. He knew how to harness that energy and funnel it into passion. René was always focused on keeping his process focused on the athletes that he coached and he met athletes where they were at and worked with an abundance of empathy and acceptance.
René passed away on November 16, 2022 after a brave battle with cancer.
Stephanie Marler to lead XCSO as Executive Director
Cross Country Ski Ontario is excited to announce the hiring of Stephanie Marler as the new Executive Director of XCSO. Stephanie brings a wealth of experience to the role at multiple levels of our sport. Stephanie is a Level 2 Official who has served in various event organizing roles including Competition Secretary at multiple OCups, Nationals and FIS events and most recently as Chief of Competition at the 2023 Ontario Cup at Lappe Ski Centre. As a LTT Coach, Stephanie has coached at the club level while helping in the wax room at Ontario Cups and Nationals. Stephanie brings strong organizational skills and financial experience which will lead XCSO into the next strategic plan.
“I am excited to work with XCSO’s talented staff and volunteers, board of directors, districts, member clubs, officials, coaches, sponsors, parents and athletes with a commitment to excellence that values integrity, inclusivity, team work and openness in our pursuit to support cross-country skiing for all Ontarians. Thank you Liz Inkila for the amazing work that you have contributed in building XCSO to where it stands today, and, most importantly, for the enduring friendships that you have fostered over the past 17 years.”
Stephanie will be joining XCSO in June on a part time basis and full time beginning July 1. Please join XCSO in welcoming Stephanie in this new role.
Pan Canadian Safe Sport Policies – DRAFT
Cross Country Ski Ontario will launch a new suite of Safe Sport policies in collaboration with Nordiq Canada. A harmonized approach is the most effective way to prevent and address maltreatment in sport. Thus a Pan Canadian suite of safe sport policies has been adopted by the XCSO Board of Directors. Nordiq Canada has provided a template policy suite that will require customization by the clubs.
DRAFT policies are available for viewing HERE. Included in this dropbox folder is a READ ME file – please ensure you read this first. The final version of the policies will be available on July 1, along with an implementation guide for clubs.
XCSO adopts Pan Canadian Safe Sport Policy Suite
Cross Country Ski Ontario will launch a new suite of Safe Sport policies in collaboration with Nordiq Canada. A harmonized approach is the most effective way to prevent and address maltreatment in sport. Thus a Pan Canadian suite of safe sport policies has been adopted by the XCSO Board of Directors. Nordiq Canada has provided a template policy suite that will require customization by the clubs. Robust policies adopted at the club, Division and National level ensure everyone who participates in our sport is subject to the same standards of behaviour. Our sport environment is evolving and so must we as leaders in our sport.
Substantive Policies include:
- Athlete Protection Policy
- Code of Conduct and Ethics
- Social Media Policy
- Screening Policy
- Whistle Blower Policy
Procedural Policies include:
- Discipline and Complaints Policy
- Dispute Resolution Policy
- Appeal Policy
Clubs must adopt these policies by November 1, 2023. Those clubs joining later in the season will be required to adopt the policies within 3 months of joining XCSO – please see Implementation Schedule. Please consider attending XCSO Information Sessions on Tuesday, May 23rd or Tuesday, June 6th at 8:30pm.
XCSO Board of Directors Call for Nominations- Deadline Extended
Call for Nominations deadline extended! Cross Country Ski Ontario (XCSO) is seeking nominations to the Board of Directors. We are looking for volunteers who are interested in making a difference at the provincial level.
This open call for nominations is your chance to help your provincial sport organization develop and grow!
If you are interested, please review our Call for Nominations for more information on the process, and how you could contribute.
Nominees must be members of XCSO clubs, or be eligible to become members of an XCSO club before taking office.
The election for the Board of Directors will take place at the 2023 Annual General Meeting of XCSO, Sunday, May 28, 2023. Please check Annual General Meeting for more information as it becomes available.
XCSO Provincial Coach Experience Applications
Cross Country Ski Ontario requires coaches to assist in leading Ontario Team Training Camps this season. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until all positions are filled. Please complete the PCE Application Form.
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