Ford Sayre Memorial Ski Council is a 501(c3) established in 1950 to promote the sport of skiing in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire and is one of the few clubs in the nation that supports Nordic, Jumping and Alpine programs under one umbrella. Ford Sayre Nordic skis at Oak Hill in Hanover, NH, the ski venue of Dartmouth College, and supports nearly 300 Nordic skiers of all ages.
Responsibilities
The Assistant Coach will work closely with the Nordic Head Coach to support the U16-U20 Junior Nordic Team (JNT) (2-4 days per week) and lead the 7/8th grade racing program (2-3 days/week). The Assistant Coach is expected to coach 4-6 training sessions per week, travel with the team to all Eastern Cup race weekends and local races, and help coordinate and facilitate a training camp over Thanksgiving break. All lodging and travel costs associated with race or training trips will be covered by the organization as will any required licenses or trainings.
Major administrative tasks include reviewing training plans and logs, regular communications with athletes, parents, coaches and other stakeholders, assisting with coordination of the Silver Fox Trot race and making regular web presence updates.
Skills & Qualifications
Extensive knowledge and passion for Nordic skiing and ski racing
Basic ski waxing knowledge and proficiency
Excellent planning, organizational, and communication skills (both written and verbal) are critical
Valid driver’s license with a safe driving history
This is a full-time temporary position beginning no later than Nov. 1 (but encouraged to begin earlier) and ending April 1 with the potential to continue as a full-time, exempt position for the right candidate at an annualized rate of $24,000.
If interested, please send a cover letter, resume and references to Hilary McNamee (hilary@fordsayre.org)
DEVELOPMENT COACH OF YEAR Ski Jumping./Nordic Combined Coach of the Year Mike Holland Ford Sayre Ski Club
A World Cup winner and one of the past stars of his sport, volunteer coach Mike Holland (Norwich, Vt./Ford Sayre Ski Club) is making a difference for the next generation of ski jumpers. Under his leadership this past season, Ford Sayre qualified five young athletes to the Junior National Championships – the most ever for the venerable jumping club in Brattleboro, Vt. which has a long history of sending athletes to the Olympic and national team.
Mike Holland and his brothers grew up in the Olympic-rich town of Norwich, Vt. Brothers Mike and Jim were ski jumpers, while Joe skied nordic combined – three Olympians in one family. Mike became a ski jumping legend, winning the Bischofshofen, Austria Springertournee event in 1989 – still today the only American World Cup win.
Holland is a tireless volunteer, working to improve snowmaking, upgrading jumping facilities and recruiting kids from local schools. After retiring as an athlete in 1990, he went into business with his family. He was thrust into coaching temporarily around a decade ago, and it stuck. Now, you can often find him out early packing the hill for jumpers all the while negotiating on the phone for a used winch cat or snowmaking equipment to help make the jumper better.
Today he coaches with brother Joe, working with around 50 kids each year at Ford Sayre in Hanover, N.H., as well as with the Lebanon Outing Club jumps in neighboring Vermont. Using his engineering skills, he also developed a portable roller ski jump which is being used as a recruitment tool by clubs around the country.
“Ski jumping, as a sport, teaches key life lessons. I realized it for myself as an athlete, but more so now as a coach. When you confront your fears, you see a transformation in kids’ personalities. You know it’s going to help them in everything they’re going to do the rest of their lives.”
To get more information, please check out our Registration page. To learn more about our various programs, please go to the home page, and select the desired program.
Junior Nordic Team (JNT) registration will open in November.
If you have any difficulties or questions, please send an email to info@FordSayre.org.
