Note: XC Oregon is an elite development organization targeting post-high school athletes. Junior skiers under the age of 18 are encouraged to take advantage of local junior ski programs before moving up to the elite development level.
Your first question is likely to center around money. Meaning…how much does this program cost?
Answer: XC Oregon does not charge coaching or administration fees of any full or associate member. This is partly because the vast majority of skiers in the elite development age window don’t have extensive personal savings or annual income. Also, most of these skiers cannot rely on extensive family or other support systems for housing, insurance, car expenses, food, etc. (as most junior and collegiate skiers do).
Depending on team status and program budget, full member skiers may be (associate members almost certainly will be) required to cover various individual expenses associated with team travel, training, testing, equipment, etc.. XC Oregon intentionally keeps what we require in terms of out-of-pocket expenses to a bare minimum in recognition of tight pocketbooks and limited timeframes for earning money.
- Demonstrated ability for international/domestic excellence. Results from major domestic/international XC ski events are the primary evaluation method but results/lab tests involving other endurance sports are also used.
- Demonstrated resolve towards personal excellence and XC Oregon program philosophy. The latter includes–multi-year commitment to living in Bend year round; meeting volunteerism requirements; investing in academic or career development; investing in Bend community.
- Long-term Personal and Athletic Plan. A written outline covering a minimum of 2-6 years and including progression of athletic development, academic plan, career skill development, goals, objectives, financial plan, etc..
- Personal Health Insurance Policy.
Will Receive…
- Year-round Coaching; team/individual workouts; training program design/guidance; testing; team camps/trips; access to local education, residence and career development network; full support of team sponsors and community partners.
- First priority for direct program support in sports science, travel, training, competitions, etc.. (Support amounts vary on a case-by-case basis.)
- First priority with product/service sponsorship benefits.
- Included in all program activities, camps, trips, etc. suitable for age and ability level.
- Eligibility for Individual Travel Grants based on performance schedule and availability of funds.
2.) Associate Status
Requirements…
- Athletes unable to meet full member performance requirements but still interested in working with XC Oregon program. Amount of involvement of Associate athletes will be determined on a case-by-case basis with XC Oregon staff.
- Demonstrated resolve towards personal excellence and XC Oregon program philosophy. The latter includes–multi-year commitment to living in Bend year round; meeting volunteerism requirements; investing in academic or career development; investing in Bend community.
- Long-term Personal and Athletic Plan. A written outline covering a minimum of 1-3 years and including progression of athletic development, academic plan, career skill development, goals, objectives, financial plan, etc..
- Personal Health Insurance Policy.
Will Receive…
- Year-round Coaching; team/individual workouts; training program design/guidance; testing; team camps/trips; access to local education, residence and career development network.
- Access to program activities, camps, trips, etc. suitable for age and ability level when with program. Note: Associate athletes normally are responsible for all personal expenses both training and racing.
- First priority for moving up to available spots within funded group should personal and athletic development progress meet criteria.
- Access to team product/service sponsorship benefits and purchase agreements (depending on availability).
3.) Part-time Status
(The only athletes considered for this type of membership are those that are finishing academic program elsewhere and working with XC Oregon during summer months with the intent of joining the program full-time following graduation.)Requirements…
- All of the items listed for Associate athletes.
- Agree to provide XC Oregon Coach with complete, year-round reports of training/racing.
- Must have written authorization from collegiate coaches (where applicable) to participate in XC Oregon activities in summer months.
- Personal Health Insurance Policy.
Will Receive…
- Summer coaching, team/individual workouts, program design, testing, team camps/trips. Limited access to local education, residence and career development network.
- Included in all program activities, camps, trips, etc. suitable for age and ability level when with program.
- May or may not qualify for program support or sponsorship benefits depending on long-term commitment to XC Oregon and current college program restrictions.
XC Oregon reserves the right to refuse membership or allow formal participation in group activities to any person on the grounds of an individual being a dangerous, threatening, or disruptive influence to themselves, other members of XC Oregon, or staff.
1B. Determine if Bend, Oregon is the very best place you can see yourself, given your goals, for the next 3-6 years. If you have not visited Bend, make plans to visit prior to your final decision process to get a feel for the community and overall XC Oregon program.
Step 2.)
Sit down and write out a personal evaluation of where you are at in terms of skiing, academics, career, life, etc.. Include your personal priorities. What you want out of a place to live/train/go to school/work, etc..
Also include personal goals in all these areas 3 and 5 years from now.
Be specific, be creative, but above all else…be honest with yourself. You’ll be suprised at what you’ll discover about your true needs, ambitions and dreams when you see the finished product.
The least important aspect of this plan has to do with the “X’s and O’s” of training. What you need to accomplish is determining if maximizing your personal ski potential is a priority item in your life and what you are willing and realistically able to do to make that goal a reality.
This step should take several days…if not weeks or months…to complete. Afterall, you are halfway through a comprehensive plan covering many years of your life!
Step 3.)
Take the information you’ve now written down and create a separate outline that incorporates all of the “life” issues into a systematic elite development plan. How you envision developing as an athlete over the next 2-6 years given all that you want and need outside of skiing.
The more detail you put into this outine…the greater the likelihood of success. Acknowledge realities but also have the willingness to dream. For example…if you have yet to finish in the top thirty overall at a U.S. Nationals, it is probably not realistic to expect to make World Cup teams two years from now. On the other hand, just because you’ve never reached “such and such” a level does not necessarily mean you do not “have what it takes”.
It is very important to be fair with yourself in terms of assessing strengths and weaknesses…both on and off the ski trails. Listing ways to maintain strengths and address weaknesses is also recommended.
Include a financial strategy covering both ski expenses as well as life goals.
Step 4.)
If after completing all three of these steps (it will take awhile to complete all of this) XC Oregon and Bend still look like the best fit for your needs…send in a copy of your summarized plan and as much bio information as possible (top results, training volumes, former coaches/programs, etc.) to J.D. Downing at…
55 SW Gleneagles Way
Bend, OR 97702
jd@xcoregon.orgNOTE: Email is the best way to send all of this (cheapest, fastest, easiest to record) but postal mail is also fine.
