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Alpine Sport Committee
Candidate Biographies
ADRIAN FARNSWORTH (Snow Planet, Mt Ruapehu)
Governance Experience:
I have been involved in governance and management all my life, both commercial and sport.
My first job after school was in forestry, where I gained a Forest Ranger's qualification. Following this skill, I was General Manager of the first multi-tier forest farm project in New Zealand. This involved the planting of 3,000 hectares of pine and the management of 40,000 stock units. Developing the structure and staffing programs for a very intensive operation.
Managing director of a large contracting Company that specialized in planned project maintenance on all the major Industrial plants, in the North Island. This Company had a staff, in excess of 400 personnel. The planning and structure here was precise, as deadlines could not be broken.
Successfully tendered and have run the most popular golf course in New Zealand, Chamberlain Park Public Golf Course in Auckland, for over 20 years.
One of the originators' of Wind surfing in New Zealand and helped start the first Association.
Past member of the management team of Remuera Rackets Club, the largest Tennis and squash Club in New Zealand
National Secretary of the New Zealand Ski Association for eight years.
Chairman of the New Zealand Sports Goods Association.
Background in Alpine Skiing:
I have been a skier since the age of 7. Participating in Mt Ruapehu's junior race program, as a child.
Started as a Ski Instructor at Mt Ruapehu and in the second year commenced as the Junior Team coach at the Chateau Ski School, Mt Ruapehu.
Qualified Ski Instructor and Coach.
Took over as the Regional Coach, before starting coaching with the National Ski Team, under Andreas Hefti, the then Alpine Director, for New Zealand.
Travelled for numerous season both coaching and managing New Zealand Teams, including FIS, Nor Am, Europa Cups, World Cups and Olympic games.
Responsible for the employment of National Team coaches and the creating of National Team squads, that involved sending more than 40 athletes away each year. Direct handling of all programme details.
Direct involvement with Government funding organizations, to New Zealand skiing' and the management of such.
Assisted and responsible for achieving a Ski Pool, from the Ski Industries, the development and management of National Team sponsorships.
Part of the team that created Ski Racing New Zealand.
Started as the New Zealand Head brand importer. Directly involved in sponsorship of many National athletes, including Ben Griffin.
Travelled with the Holmenkol World Cup ski tuning experts.
Retired form all direct ski importing in 2011.
Active recreational / master ski racer.
Skills and Expertise:
The unusual blend of practical ski racing experience, from all facets of the sport, coupled with a sound governance background and strong management skills (professional and amateur arenas).
A focus on developing the base and creating a better pathway for development at all levels; Schools, Club, Regional, National and International.
To help make Ski Racing a sought out option in Winter Snow Sports.
To improve the pathway not only for the International Ski Racers of the future, but also the development of career paths, in the winter playground, for those athletes, that chose not to go international.
To help create an ownership structure and a sense of value, for our Alpine Skiers, in an effort to create better value and investment in the agreed goals, of Alpine.
No areas of conflict - commercial or with children in the national programme.
FIONA BOYER (QAST)
Governance Experience:
Current Vice President, NZSIA
Member Institute of Directors NZ
Re-elected as VP of NZSIA for a second 2-year term in June 2012 after a successful first term facilitating and implementing structure and strategy changes across the operational and corporate functions of NZSIA.
Strategic as well as operationally focused.
Background in Alpine Skiing:
Member of NZ National Alpine Team 1981–1986
Competed in International FIS - North American circuit
World University Games competitor
NZ Powder 8’s champion
World Championships Powder 8’s
NZSIA Demonstration Team member - 2 World Interskis
Senior examiner and trainer NZSIA
Head Staff Trainer NZSki and Mammoth Mountain USA
Level 2 Coach NZSIA, Level 2 Coach USSCA
Trainer for US Coaches Association Level 1 and 2 certificates, and
My two children are junior alpine athletes enjoying regional level competition
Skills and Expertise:
I take pride in my ability to maintain a zero conflict of interest focus in my governance work with NZSIA. This strategically focused ability is what is definitely required in any governance role and particularly will be applicable in the NZ Alpine ski racing arena moving forward.
I have an in depth appreciation of the dedication, commitment and undertaking that alpine athletes make to be able to participate at all levels of competition as they make each step forward in the competitive arena.
My personal and professional networks are vast across alpine sport both here in NZ and internationally. This professional knowledge combined with my own competitive experience provides a platform from where I can clearly see, understand, appreciate and support the necessary pathways both in governance and operationally, to ensure athletes have every opportunity to enjoy the journey to the top of their sport.
The vision and goal of an organization must be clear and communication for all stakeholders must be with absolute clarity and integrity at all times. With this focus I believe it is imperative that in alignment with the SSNZ strategies or goals for the sport, that alpine athletes are exposed to every opportunity they can chase and are able to commit to, to experience success in the national as well as international arena of alpine competition.
I would be delighted to join the SSNZ Alpine Committee moving forward to support pathways of development for our current as well as future alpine athletes and SSNZ alpine strategy.
Paul Brownsey (Auckland and Wanaka)
Governance Experience:
I have considerable governance and management experience both in the large corporate world and small business.
I’ve worked in the New Zealand Public sector (Reserve Bank of New Zealand), for some of the largest banks in the world (Salomon Brothers, Citicorp, Deutsche Bank) as well as creating a very successful small business (Pathfinder Asset Management) in a highly regulated NZ industry.
Ski Racing is a minor sport in NZ that traditionally struggles for funding and relies on parents and volunteers to make it happen. I’m familiar with the challenges of minority sports having been deeply involved in creating and running one of Singapore’s most successful rugby clubs for many years.
I currently co-own a fast growing financial services business which is heavily reliant on strong governance structures, effective marketing and building trust with many stakeholders.
Background in Alpine Skiing:
I was the primary instigator and first President of Northern Snowsports Club,
I have skied since a child and supported several of my children as they move through their ski race development.
Skills and Expertise:
Good, well defined governance is critical if we want to build Alpine in NZ. I have strong business background in both the large corporate and the small business world and know the importance of effective strategy to create the conditions for growth. Without the type of resources available to Ski Racing in other countries, we need to be smart in how we build numbers in the sport, avoiding unnecessary duplication of resources but ensuring good pathways exist for developing and elite athletes. The first, necessary condition for a sport to prosper at an elite level is a healthy grass roots – this is where funding, future athletes, volunteers and sponsors come from.
I see myself as a “technocrat” – bringing strong business and planning skills as well as many years of ski and race (as a parent) experience. What I don’t bring are: regional bias (all regions should be strong), commercial conflicts (I am not a provider of coaching, equipment or ski related services) or pre-conceived ideas, just a desire to create an environment where more children can begin ski racing, where more can make the transition to serious athlete and where older athletes find it easier to stay in the sport and compete at an elite level.
I put my name forward for the ASC without having lobbied the membership or built a factional / regional support base, but on the expectation that a governance role requires candidates with serious governance and organisational skills to stand.
Everyone involved in this process cares about the success of ski racing – what is really needed are committee members with objectivity and serious commercial experience.
ROBIN DIXON (Ruapehu Snow Sports Inc)
Governance Experience:
President of Ruapehu Snow Sports Inc for 4 years
Secretary of Ruapehu Snow Sports Inc for 1 year
Programme Director of Ruapehu Snow Sports Inc since 2011
Treasurer of North Island Primary and Secondary School Champs Committee – 4 years
ROC for North Island Primary and Secondary School Champs
Board of Trustees of Warkworth Primary School for 4 years
Board of Trustees of Mahurangi College for 2 years
Board of Directors Civil Whey Distributors Ltd and Financial Controller – 10 years
Background in Alpine Skiing:
2007-2011 Parent and volunteer – Mt Ruapehu
2007-2011 Manager and Chaperone of Ruapehu Snow Sports teams to Canada and USA. Responsibilities included liaising overseas entries / travelling and planning for the Team.
ROC at First Choice K2 Nationals SilverStar 2008 - Assistant Chief of Course, volunteered Red Mountain, SilverStar K1/K2 races.
Volunteered at FIS races in Bogus Basin, Park City, Mammoth Mountain, Mission Ridge, Mt Hood, Norquay, Mt Bachelor (Downhill) and Apex Mountain (Downhill).
Volunteered at ANC’s, Nationals in New Zealand.
Member USSA 2011
CSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor, Level 2 Alpine Canada Volunteer
Volunteer on North Island races since 2006
Ski Racing NZ / SSNZ TD and ROC clinics and updates since 2006
Currently progressing through National TD process
I have seen Ski Racing in New Zealand go through some changes and would like to be effectual in progressing Ski Racing to be communicative and informative for new and existing SSNZ members.
My passion is to see Ski Racing in Mt Ruapehu succeed.
Skills and Expertise:
My children have progressed through the North Island ski programmes to FIS level and I have been involved at all levels of their skiing which allows me to share information gained from the lower regional levels of skiing through to competing the younger and entry level of FIS in North America.
I have been, and am, involved in the organisation that it takes to operate a regional programme and to run a regional ski race.
TRISH OOSTERBAAN (Wanaka Snow Sports)
Governance Experience and background in Ski Racing:
Trish Oosterbaan (mother of Alpine Racer Monique Oosterbaan 22 and former Freestyle Ski Competitor Maria Oosterbaan 26)
35 years experience skiing, 32 years travelling ski fields in the South Island, also Colorado, Canada and Switzerland
Member of Rangatira Ski Club, Mt Ruapehu 35 years.
Club Captain of Rangatira Ski Club 2002-2004
Manager of Westlake Girls Ski Teams 1999-2006
Ruapehu Snow Sports Committee 2002-2005
Wanaka Snow Sports ROC member 2008-2012
Wanaka Snow Sports Fund Raising Committee, Jossi Wells evening, 2010
In the last 8 years I have been very actively involved with volunteering at most FIS ski races in New Zealand. I have worked my way up through many positions required on the day of racing. In the last 4 years I have become responsible for recruiting and training volunteers for the Wanaka ROC. As well as helping in Wanaka I always make myself available to help at races on Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt including Japanese FIS, Winter Games, Nationals and ANC races.
In my years as a volunteer I have enjoyed meeting numerous athletes, parents, coaches, Race Committee members, Technical Directors and others from all around New Zealand and the world. I have seen several committees come and go in ski racing over the years and would love to be part of a committee that gives our athletes as much support as possible to help them in their Pathway to achieve their best.
Ski racing is my passion and I am always keen to get involved at any level to help the sport.
Skills and Expertise:
My professional training is in clerical skills.
In the past I have been part of numerous teams helping with fundraising, event management, newsletters and team manager.
Since having been involved with ski racing I have learnt the skills of Start Marshall, Gate Judge, Chief of Gates and Finish Referee.
I love being part of a team working together to achieve the best result possible to make the best racing possible for all.
