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XC Towards 2022 is the major fundraising umbrella for the Australian XC Ski Team. Driven predominantly by athletes, coaches and parents, all money raised through XC Towards 2022 (and its predecessors Towards 2018, 2014, 2010 and 2006) goes towards athlete expenses.
In addition to tax deductible donations through our partnership with the Australian Sport Foundation, a number of other fundraising activities are run under the XC Towards 2022 banner, including the Sundeck Cup, Hoppet Ski Waxing, and a Spring Cocktail Party. Since 2013 over $25,000 p.a. has been raised towards athlete expenses for AUSXC international programs. In recent years this has helped:
- six athletes to compete at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics
- five athletes to compete at the 2018 World Junior/U23 Championship
- eight athletes to compete at the 2017 World Championship
- five athletes to compete at the Pyeongchang World Cup test event in 2017
- nine athletes to compete at the 2017 World Junior/U23 Championship
- eleven athletes to compete at the 2015 World Championship
- four athletes to compete in the 2016 Canada World Cup Tour
- two athletes to compete at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games
- four athletes to compete at the 2015 and 2016 World Junior/U23 Championships
Being selected to represent Australia should be an exciting occasion, not a time to worry if you’ll be able to raise the money to go.
Funding Breakdown
For the 2017/2018 International Program $32,500 was allocated towards athlete international program expenses. The breakdown per activity was as follows:
- $5,000 – Winter Olympic Preparation
- $11,000 – World Cup
- $9,000 – World Junior/U23 Championship
- $7,500 – National Team Uniforms
The funding allocation is determined in consultation with the team athletes.
Why Support The Team?
Every year SSA sends teams overseas to a range of major international competitions. SSA provides coaching and waxing support for at these events, however most of our elite athletes predominantly provide the funding for the sport themselves. Many athletes are students, combining training and study, and almost all undertake part-time work to make ends meet. Typically an athlete going to the World Junior Championship will need to raise around $6,000 from external sources in order to cover all their international travel, accommodation, training and competition expenses. Ski clubs are often supportive, and a handful of athletes are lucky to have scholarships from the VIS or NSWIS, however even in those cases most support is through services not financial support.
- An extra $1,000 raised could enable an athlete to compete in a World Cup event or to focus on training by having to work less.
- An extra $2,000 could bring a physiotherapist to the World Championship.
- An extra $5,000 raised could cover half an airfare for five athletes headed to the World Junior Championship.
- An extra $10,000 could cover accommodation for five athletes for the 2019 World Championship.
Tax deductable donations can be made the Australian Sport Foundation, or direct donations can be made via Ski & Snowboard Australia.
Annual Fundraising Events & Activities
Sundeck Cup
The Sundeck Cup in NSW Cross Country Week is the only handicap race on the Australian Race Calendar and the only race that comes with complimentary lunch at Perisher’s Sundeck Hotel. Through the generosity of owner Cliff Wallis and the support of the NSW XC Committee, the Sundeck Cup is the single largest fundraiser for the team since it started with XC Towards 2006 back in 2004.
Hoppet Ski Waxing
Have fast skis and support the athletes! Drop your skis off to the YMCA Nordic Centre at Falls Creek in the week leading into the Kangaroo Hoppet, then pick them the next day waxed to be rocket fast for the big race.
Spring Cocktail Night
Both a fundraiser and a social event, join Australian Team athletes at the Spring Cocktail Night in Melbourne to celebrate the Australian winter and hear about the next instalment of the endless winter.
