Junior Development Team Announcement and Coach Opening
Sat, Mar 24, 2007 - By CXC Skiing
CXC Junior Development Team
Central Cross Country Ski Association is pleased to announce the formation of a new CXC Junior Development Team and the opening position for the CXC Junior Development Team Head Coach.
Program goals are to identify junior cross country racers of the highest caliber with the strongest commitments on a continuing and consistent basis. Year round training will lead to increased success for the athletes involved, for the Midwest and Great Lakes Junior Olympic Teams, and for the U.S. National Junior Teams in the International arena.
"Development for youth and juniors has always been a weak spot in this country and I believe the CXC Junior Development Team will take the sport to the next level in the Midwest. I will be looking for more and more skiers in the future from this program." Chad Salmela, Head Coach, College of St Scholastica.
In 2006, CXC Skiing programs expanded, the organization became more efficient, and multi-year athlete development plans were implemented. In 2007, the inclusion of the CXC Junior Development Team will be an essential link in the CXC Athlete Development Pipeline. The CXC Junior Development program will support and work in tandem with the CXC Olympic Development Team Head Coach Bryan Fish, Athletic Advisor Yuriy Gusev, High Performance Advisor Igor Badamshin and CXC?s sports science support group of nutrition scientist, physical therapist and exercise physiologist.
CXC Junior Development Team will be an essential tool for developing talented young athletes who may not have direct access to the club programs or full time coaching and for those who want to make an increased commitment to be great cross country ski racers. Given the combination of the CXC Regional Development Group Camp and the new year round CXC Junior Development Team, CXC Skiing will assure delivery of the latest info on training and technique to the best juniors in the Central Region and their coaches,? commented Yuriy Gusev, CXC Chief Executive Officer.
The CXC Junior Development Team will model the successful CXC Olympic Development Team training program. Full time year round professional coaching, monthly training camp structure, and direct individual attention will be the main components of the program. These principles led the CXC Olympic Development Team to 30 out of 108 SuperTour podiums. Caitlin Compton and Laura Valaas finished first and second overall on the SuperTour. Collectively, their greatest performance was winning the team sprint at US Senior Nationals. Both women were named to the US Team at World Championships in Sapporo Japan. They were the only non-Olympians named to the World Championship Team. Laura recently collected an unprecedented 2nd place finish at the U23 World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, setting a new mark of success for US women. Bryan Cook, Brian Gregg, Matt Liebsch, Garrott Kuzzy and Andre Watt comprise the men?s team. Garrott Kuzzy finished third overall on the SuperTour. The five CXC Team men frequently finished in the top ten at all of the SuperTour events.
CXC is developing a history of success at all levels of Regional XC skiing. Whether it be coaches and officials education, event management, athlete recruitment, membership support, or athlete education and training. The CXC Junior Development Team is a natural extension of our current successes. "We fully expect the CXC Junior Development Team to hit the ground running with excellent support in all areas of athlete education. We also believe that the CXC Junior Development Team will be a valued link in the support of all of our junior skiers at the local level," say Scott Wilson, CXC Chief Operating Officer and Training Camp Manager.
Any pre-college J1 and OJ CXC member who resides in the Central Region can apply for this program. The CXC Junior Development Team will be selected based on the following criteria:
- consistent progression of results and CXC/USSA Ranking;
- demonstrated physiological performance;
- commitment to the CXC Skiing program;
- ability to work within the Team structure.
Applications will be accepted from March 20 to April 20. The CXC Junior Development Team will be named on May first. For more info about the program and to download the Program Brochure, please visit http://www.cxcskiing.org
CXC Junior Development Team Head Coach Position Opening
Central Cross Country Skiing is pleased to announce a job opening for the new position of CXC Junior Development Team Head Coach. A part time year round Junior Development Program which will take off on May 15th 2007.
CXC Skiing is looking for a head coach to work with primarily pre collegiate athletes towards the team's vision. The approximately 10 athlete CXC Junior Development Team will be selected among the applicants based on selection criteria. Further details on CXC Junior Development Team can be found at http://www.cxcskiing.org
All CXC staff must reside in the Midwest for the length of their contract.
Head Coach Qualifications:
- Energetic and highly self motivated
- Preferably international racing experience
- Preferably international coaching experience
- Preferably college degree in exercise science or other related fields
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent communication skills
Head Coach Duties:
- Athlete recruitment
- Athlete education and coaching
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of athletes
- Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions and selected racing schedule
- Nurture and develop athletes' potential skills and abilities
- Analyze and evaluate athlete's performances and modify training programs
- Coordinate program with CXC Team Head Coach and CXC Athletic Staff
- Recognize the needs and opportunities of community outreach
This is a year round part time position. Pay will be $20,000 or more depending on qualifications and time commitments. Contract period of two years with options for a 2 year renewal. Application deadline April 15.
Interested coaches should contact Yuriy Gusev, CXC CEO, at [email protected]