Intention to Unify with Snow Australia

Biathlon Australia - Intention to Unify with Snow Australia

Biathlon Australia (BA) (formerly ABA) has steadily been improving the

organisational structure and governance of the sport. This process is aimed at addressing

recurring issues of instability and conflict within the sport through establishing a new

national sporting organisation that unified the sport of biathlon in Australia.

The number of board/exec committee restructures over the years, the fatigue associated

with operating on a voluntary basis, the diminutive size of our sport in Australia, the desire

to avoid conflicts of interest in the future, the governance gains achieved in the past 12

months and a goal to professionalise the administration of biathlon in Australia have

caused the board to consider the best structure for the sport.

Following conversations with Snow Australia, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU), the

board is of the firm belief that, of the options available for future governance of our sport,

unification with Snow Australia would provide the best structure, pathway and support for

the long-term benefit of biathlon and its participants. This is also supported by Biathlon East

Australia, NSW Biathlon and Biathlon ACT.

Snow Australia is the nationally and internationally recognised National Sporting

Organisation (NSO) for competitive snow sports in Australia. Snow Australia is affiliated with

the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), the AOC, Paralympics Australia (PA) and

recognised by the ASC. Snow Australia already manages athlete pathways and conducts

events and programs across various sports including Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing,

Freestyle Skiing, Snowboarding, Para-alpine, Para-snowboard, Ski Mountaineering and

specialty sub discipline activities within each.

Initial, early consultation with Snow Australia, has indicated that a phased implementation

plan could be initiated following unification of biathlon in Australia. However, consistent

with the Unification MOU previously agreed between BA and the Australian Biathlon Union

Ltd (trading as Biathlon East Australia), further discussions with Snow Australia would only

occur once Biathlon is able to communicate with a single and clear voice.

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The anticipated benefits our Board has identified in pursuing unification with Snow

Australia include:

• Strong governance to underpin sustainability and delivery of programs and

services

• Further independent decision making and improved conflict of interest

management

• Improved efficiency to ensure the best use of resources

• Improved and expanded services and infrastructure

• Improved athlete and coach pathways and the development of high

performance pathways

• Improved southern and northern camps, with higher level training and beneficial

experiences

• Increased exposure for biathlon and its athletes leading to increased interest in the

sport and a larger, more competitive Biathlon community

• Enhanced relations with the IBU, AOC, ASC, state government sporting bodies and

the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

• Inclusion of biathlon as an inter-school event

• Access to a team of sports administration professionals (employed personnel) and

a SIA advisor

• A more streamlined and consistent approach to business practices and operations

• An integrated snow community

Through this statement the board seeks to ensure there is alignment and collective

agreement from BA and its members to embrace this process and commitment to

unification of Biathlon in Australia, and subsequent phased unification with Snow Australia,

in the best interests of the sport.

In particular, for full unification to be successful, BA and all members of the community will

need to adopt and adhere to a collective set of values and expected behaviours. These

values and expected behaviours include:

• Unity – a collective approach that prioritises the best interests of the sport and its

participants

• Accountability – doing what we said we would do and no hidden agendas

• Integrity – being open and honest, declaring and managing conflicts, and holding

ourselves and others to account

• Respect – engaging in respectful and constructive conversations

• Enjoyment – having fun, striving to be our best, supporting each other with optimism

and positivity

The ultimate intention for BA to unify with Snow Australia has the full support of Snow

Australia, the ASC, the AOC and the IBU. The BA board believes that the successful

unification of BA with Snow Australia will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the

sport and its participants and will hold us in good stead both nationally and internationally.

We are genuinely excited by this opportunity and look forward to sharing and progressing

our plans with Snow Australia.