New and better development programs: what has changed in FIS’ approach

Recently, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced a revamp of its development programs and training initiatives, accompanied by a new set of Development Guidelines. It’s a considerable adjustment of what has been the plan over the last few years and, most importantly, a step change in terms of what the goals are from now on. 

To explain what the reviewed offering means in concrete terms for National Ski Associations (NSA) and the development of ski and snowboard worldwide, we sat down with Dimitrije Lazarovski, FIS Development Program Director: 

Dimitrije, FIS Development has put considerable effort into reviewing and rethinking the offerings of the FIS Development Program. Why do you believe this was the right time for such a review?  

I took charge of the development team in 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began. For the next two years, our primary focus was on managing the pandemic and ensuring safety, including during the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. 

Once we had addressed those immediate concerns, our attention shifted to handling the transfer of governance of Para Snow Sports from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to FIS. Despite these urgent tasks, we made sure that development programs continued without interruption. However, there wasn't sufficient time to thoroughly restructure the Development Program and implement new educational initiatives. 

Therefore, this review was not about choosing the perfect moment, but rather to find a timeline within which it was feasible to do it properly. Although the timing wasn’t planned, it turned out to be ideal, allowing us to be proactive before the Olympic and Paralympic qualification period. 

Changes within our team — new collaborators and new positions— brought in fresh energy and ideas, resulting in significant and necessary improvements. 

What are the key changes? 

What I’m most proud of is something initiated by the former team and continued with the new one: transforming free training days into structured training camps. These camps have been well received by World Ski Championships organizers and NSAs. With this change, the FIS Development programs have introduced development activities across all FIS Olympic and FIS Paralympic disciplines.  

Allowing national coaches to join their athletes and be educated as a team during various FIS Development activities has already resulted in stronger bonds between national athletes and coaches, and significant improvements in athletes' skills at different camps. 

In our effort to restructure the entire Development Program, we also revamped the Bring Children to the Snow campaign, introducing two new programs on the Membership Hub and enhancing World Snow Day. 

Additionally, we have expanded Shred Parks to become a standalone, well-presented, and visible initiative. Another key change is that all activities now require applications through the NSAs, which ensures collaboration between Organizing Committees (OCs) and NSAs. This connection is vital because the work of ski clubs must be recognized by the national ski federation overseeing all activities at the national level. These updates are facilitated through the Development and Membership Hub, accessible only to FIS member NSAs. While these changes might seem minor, they are essential for enhancing national-level coordination and affirming NSAs as FIS’s primary partners within their territories. 

Finally, the updated Development Program now spans two years, enabling the 56 registered NSAs to better align their national programs with our offerings. Our aim is to present a comprehensive four-year plan by the second quarter of 2025, which will be reviewed and adapted every two years. This approach ensures that NSAs can plan their national activities and steer the future of snow sports in harmony with the international programs we offer. All this information is accessible to NSAs through the Development and Membership Hub, where detailed information about each development camp is presented, including post-camp reports with respective pictures and video galleries.

What was the key motivation behind this review? 

Some FIS programs had become repetitive over the years, offering diminishing benefits. It was evident that our activities needed renewal and fresh energy.  

We aimed to revitalize existing programs and introduce new ones specifically tailored for our developing athletes and coaches. For instance, we noticed that athletes from development camps struggled to apply their new skills at home because their coaches were not present at the camps. To address this, we’ve introduced coaches' education programs.  

Partnering with APEX2100, we’ve already hosted camps that brought together coaches of both able-bodied and Para athletes. Next season, we’ll expand this initiative with camps specifically for women coaches. The introduction of coaches' education will continue to grow in the coming season, with the expectation of having a full program established by next season.  

The same goes for SnowKidz, a program that had been offered for many years and needed to be rethought to better meet the needs of the benefiting NSAs on the national and regional levels. It was time to offer new material and propose a different involvement with the kids. 

Could you provide more details about the two newly established initiatives, the FIS Start and FIS Plus programs? What is the goal of these programs and who will benefit from them? 

FIS Start and FIS Plus are new versions of the FIS Solidarity Program and SnowKidz. The FIS Solidarity Program was designed for developing countries that are full members, allowing them to apply for funding for national or regional activities. The only restriction was that funds could not be used for purchasing materials or equipment. SnowKidz was more inclusive, open to any OC from nations that are full or associate members. 

FIS Start, as its name implies, primarily benefits associate members, helping them to develop activities that may eventually enable them to become full members. On the other hand, the FIS Plus Program supports activities that complement, rather than duplicate, what FIS already offers, such as development camps. This program focuses on initiatives that provide additional benefits and help members enhance their capacities. 

Additionally, this year, through the FIS Plus Program, FIS will donate 50 roller skis to a developing country with active Nordic Combined athletes. This effort aims to strengthen the discipline in specific countries, which is crucial for maintaining its status as a medal event at the Olympic Games. These programs are designed to meet the specific needs of members, whether individually or as a group, and offer tailored support. 

What is the role of the collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and IPC in the development of these programs and initiatives? 

As members of both the IOC and IPC, FIS benefits from their development support programs. For instance, IPC funds have enabled us to organize development camps for Para Snow Sports, targeting Para athletes who are not yet competing at the World Cup level. Similarly, the IOC supports our initiatives and facilitates NSAs in applying for funds through their National Olympic Committees for coaches' and athletes' camps. FIS plays a guiding role by pinpointing areas where development is most needed and ensuring our programs align with broader international efforts. 

In recent years, FIS has successfully delivered several activities within this ecosystem and plans to continue doing so across all regions and FIS disciplines. Another example of our collaboration with the IOC is the organization of a Junior Camp and Junior competition that served as a test event for the Youth Olympic Games in South Korea. From that camp, several athletes managed to secure slots and compete at the Youth Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. 

The FIS Development Guidelines are updated and so is the slate of programs. What is the next step? 

The FIS Development Guidelines are continually updated; they will keep evolving. For the next season, we will implement the newly introduced activities and evaluate their impact. By the second quarter of 2025, we aim to present a four-year program aligned with the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. Strengthening our relationships with NSAs and LOCs is also a key priority, ensuring that national and international development efforts are well coordinated.  

We want to make sure that FIS's international offerings complement and build on national programs. Connecting both levels is essential to making the development pathway attractive and helping young athletes stay in the sport longer. The FIS Development Program particularly focuses on athletes aged 14 to 18 who are at risk of quitting. By offering engaging activities, tailor-made support to each FIS Discipline, and ensuring there is always an appealing next step in their development journey, we can retain these athletes longer. 

In your most ambitious vision, what would you like to see accomplished through the FIS Development Program? 

I hope to see 30% of Olympic and Paralympic athletes emerging from our Development Program camps. While this is a grand aspiration, dreaming big is essential! I recognize, however, that achieving this goal will also depend on overcoming increasingly stringent qualification criteria. The opportunities for athletes from developing countries to participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games are diminishing, which makes our task even more challenging. 

To reach our goal, we must closely monitor the development pathways for our athletes and provide them with the necessary support when they encounter obstacles. Some athletes manage to advance to the Continental Cup level and even edge into World Cup competitions, but often they struggle to firmly establish themselves. It's vital to identify these critical points where they face difficulties and offer proactive assistance. 

Our role in development goes beyond just offering initial support; the true work starts after the first level of assistance. By observing these athletes and collaboratively supporting them with NSAs that might lack certain resources or expertise, we can effectively prevent young athletes from dropping out early in their sporting careers.