Ski Ambassador Program Recognized

by Cross Country Nova Scotia, Staff, Oct 16, 2024

CCNS Receives Recreation Nova Scotia’s Mayflower Community Cooperation Award

Cross Country Nova Scotia has been selected as the recipient of the Mayflower Community Cooperation Award, by Recreation Nova Scotia, for the implementation of our Ski Ambassador Program, during the 2024-25 season. The Mayflower Award recognizes the successful cooperation or collaboration of communities and/or municipalities in the development of new programs, policies, services, or activities that result in healthier futures through active lifestyles.

Our Ski Ambassador program was launched for the 2023-24 season, by the CCNS Board of Directors, under the leadership of acting president, Melanie MacDermid. The program was developed to facilitate the growth of cross-country skiing, by working with our existing membership and partners, including: member clubs, recreation departments, schools, and community-based groups. Our Ski Ambassadors worked to create skiing opportunities for individuals from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and people facing historic barriers to sport. Funding was provided by the Government of Nova Scotia, and Nordiq Canada Equity Initiative grant.

Implementing the Ski Ambassador program involved a high degree of organization and strategic planning. As the project lead, MacDermid worked with our Board of Directors to hire and oversee three Ski Ambassadors, who serviced targeted geographic areas across the province. Kat Kitching, Group Equipment Rental Coordinator, was hired to provide administrative and logistics support.

“Cross Country Nova Scotia is delighted our Ski Ambassador Program has been selected by Recreation Nova Scotia, as the Mayflower Community Cooperation Award recipient. We had tremendous success in our first season of the program and look forward to taking the lessons we learned forward into the upcoming season to help support the mandate of Cross Country Nova Scotia, getting more Nova Scotians on snow, especially those who have been underserved in the past.”
Melanie MacDermid, President CCNS Board of Directors

Our Ambassadors and partners successfully attracted more than 1,000 participants who enjoyed cross-country skiing in supportive sessions, which were geared towards new and intermediate cross-country skiers. An additional 950 individuals registered for sessions that had to be cancelled due to winter storm conditions and insufficient snow coverage. Ensuring a large geographic reach was a priority. We engaged participants from 7 counties, including: Antigonish County, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Colchester County, Hants County, Halifax Regional Municipality, Kings County, and Victoria County.

Equipment was provided at most events for complimentary use by participants. The CCNS ski fleet was transported when possible, and our municipal partners also loaned equipment.

A variety of cross-country skiing events were made possible by successful partnerships. Events included: elementary school physical education classes, family ski nights/weekends, social skis, municipal recreation department carnivals/winter festivals, The Keppoch Winter Fun Day, North Highlands Nordic loppet, Baddeck Nordic Club events, Scotia XC Ski Club promotions, and more!

“My role as an ambassador for Cross Country Nova Scotia allowed me to connect with so many individuals new to the sport & in several instances, new to Canada. It was incredible that sharing my passion for this beautiful winter sport would allow me to connect with so many communities, and organizations such as ISANS, and the Sackville Snow days committee. Combining nature, exercise, sport and a sense of community is an incredibly uplifting and humble way to connect.”

Stacy Payne, Ski Ambassador

Claire Miner served as an enthusiastic Ski Ambassador who also sought out specialized training to work with para-nordic skiers. Miner hopes the Ski Ambassador position “continues to grow and shape to reflect what the community needs in the coming seasons”.

“I am thrilled to see that the work done by Cross-Country Nova Scotia has been recognized by Recreation Nova Scotia. From work done by ambassadors across the province under the direction of CCNS we were able to connect so many wonderful people with cross-country skiing”, Miner added.

Cape Breton Ski Ambassador, Michelle Richards, coordinated events in two municipalities. “It was a winter wonderland on Cape Breton. Many new friends and partnerships were created as the Cape Breton Ski Ambassador. The youth at schools were engaged skiing down hills and across fields. Adults were able to reconnect with skiing in a safe area with encouraging ski tips in a social setting. New Canadians were introduced to the concept of sliding on snow. The ski ambassador program is a great collaboration to reach all communities in Nordic skiing.”

As lifelong cross-country ski enthusiasts, our Ambassadors are the heart of our program. Learn more about our 2023-24 Ski Ambassadors; Michelle Richards, Claire Miner, and Stacy Payne. Thank-you from our Board of Directors, we appreciate your special efforts that helped many experience the physical and mental health benefits of cross-country skiing and spending time in nature.

We look forward to working with our member clubs and partners throughout the upcoming season.

Do you want to be a 2024-25 Ski Ambassador?

Submit your application before October 31, 11:59 pm. Apply now!

Photos

Ski Ambassador events across the province, including Sepcial Olympic athletes, para-nordic equipment, and elementry school participants.

Video

Program participants in Colliery Lands Park, Cape Breton.

CBC Radio Interview

Listen as Ski Ambassador, Michelle Richards, talks with Information Morning – Cape Breton with Steve Sutherland, on Jan 30, 2024. Segment also posted on CBC Radio online.