The British Nordic Development Squad has been supported by the Skiers Trust over many years through its long-held aspiration to support the nordic disciplines now focused under the Nordic and Biathlon Fund.
The Development Squad’s importance is that it is the bedrock on which the nordic competitive discipline sits. It currently consists of twenty young male and female athletes some of whom are at university and some who are just beginning in the Nordic discipline. There are a number of development levels depending on where an individual is on the athlete development Pathway.
The Development Squad provides the foundation for the junior and youth squad members who aspire to join the elite squad. Evidence of its success is that current athletes Andrew Musgrave, Andrew Young and Callum Smith have represent Team GB at several Winter Olympics, most recently at Pyeongchang 2018, and are at the highest level in World Cup rankings.
The Development Squad is also committed to supporting the growth of roller skiing throughout the UK which it sees as an important way to encourage more young people into the sport. It strives to promote roller skiing with ski clubs as much as possible.
For the Skiers Trust, providing grant awards in support of encouraging more young people into the nordic disciplines is hugely worthwhile. Our aspiration is to continue to expand in this aim, finding more opportunities, supporting more initiatives.
