Statement:
Snowsport GB
February 5, 2010
It is with disappointment that the British Olympic Association (BOA)
has learnt today that one of its member governing bodies, Snowsport
GB, has been placed into administration.
With the overall concern for Team GB’s skiers and snowboarders
preparing for the competition of their lives at the Winter Olympics
in Vancouver, the BOA will immediately put in place a contingency
plan to ensure that the interests of the athletes are protected.
The BOA will make sure that the 14 skiers and snowboarders selected
to represent Team GB can attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter
Games. In addition the BOA will ensure that the athletes and
their accredited coaches and support personnel have the resources
and logistical support necessary to compete at their highest level
in Vancouver.
In order to do this, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has
endorsed the BOA’s move to mobilise a current dormant subsidiary
company, “Team GB Ltd”, to act as the National Governing Body for
Ski and Snowboarding.
In this capacity, Team GB Ltd will trade under the name of BSS
(British Ski and Snowboarding) and will ensure that FIS registration
and FIS race entries continue for all accredited athletes without
undue disruption.
After the Vancouver Games, the BSS will initiate a full consultation
process to determine how the skiers, snowboarders and all interested
parties wish to see the governing body for the sport functioning
once the BOA’s subsidiary has fulfilled its role in bridging the gap
for the sport in this perilous time.
The BOA intends that hereafter, as its top priority, the governing
body will be independent and athlete-focused, providing services to
the best children, juniors and senior British alpine skiers,
cross-country skiers, freestyle skiers and snowboarders in the
country, and the organisation will be capable of successfully
fulfilling its mandate, with a strong foundation and
state-of-the-art governance structure.
Colin Moynihan, BOA Chairman
“The BOA’s role is to provide services for its member sports and
represent the interests of the athletes. It is with great
regret that one of our governing bodies has gone into
administration, particularly at such a critical time for our Olympic
Team. The National Olympic Committee has immediately sought to
implement a solution to this dilemma. The athletes and coaches can
rest assured that we will work around the clock to support them and
help ensure that those involved in the sport can find the best
possible structure for it going forward.”
Zoe Gillings
"It's been a difficult time for a lot of snowsport athletes, and I'm
very hopeful that this will be a very positive step forward for
skiers and snowboarders alike. With the Olympic Winter Games just
around the corner, this is welcome good news."
The Board of Team GB Ltd comprises Colin Moynihan (Chairman), Dave
Edwards (CEO), Andy Hunt. Further appointments to the BSS
Board will be made to broaden representation from the athletes
themselves and the sports of freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine
skiing and cross country skiing
Read more on the GB Championships