The winners of the Snowsport England Chairs award for 2023 are Richard Barbour and Jasmin Taylor.
The joint winners were announced at the Snowsport England AGM in June by the Chair, Dominic McGonigal. Richard and Jasmin have been recognised for their extensive contributions to snowsport by the Snowsport England board.
Richard has been involved in snowsport for over 50 years either as a participant, a volunteer, or a tutor. Initially, Richard started off as a Cross Country Skier, until finding Alpine Skiing in his 20’s. Following this he progressed through the Snowsport England coaching pathway, becoming a tutor and then in 2010, a Senior Tutor. Throughout his time as a tutor, he has coached and mentored hundreds of new coaches and tutors, through our coaching pathway. Richard has also played a key role as chair of our Coaching technical panel for a decade, progressing the coaching schemes used.
Richard was presented with his Chairs Award at the Snowsport England Coaching Conference held earlier this month, by the Chair, Dominic McGonigal.
Richard said “Moments like these make you reflect. Without doubt the ESC Coaching Awards Scheme and artificial ski slopes deflected my pathway through life. I am honoured to be considered a peer by those who nominated me from the Coaching Technical Panel (CTP), because they are complicit in that journey: so, I blame my forerunners!”
Richard’s contribution to our sport is massive and doesn’t stop here. He continues to volunteer on CTP, coaches’ skiers, runs coach education events, records podcast and works with a range of clients in sport and industry.
Our chair Dominic had this to say about Richard’s award ‘“Richard has given so much to the sport – coaching, designing our coaching qualifications, leading our coaching committee, using his engineering expertise to advise facilities, and being recognised as Disability Coach of the Year. It’s a pleasure and an honour to award him the Chair’s Award.”
Jasmin Taylor, our other joint winner of the Chairs Award, has been recognised for her incredible achievements in her sport, Telemark skiing. Since moving from alpine skiing to telemark aged 15, Jasmin has gone on to great success. She has come a long way since training with the Suffolk Vikings Ski Club at Suffolk Ski Centre. Following a long career of racing across the world, Jasmin now holds the record for the most World Cup and World Championship medals of any British Skier!
Jasmin was presented with the Chairs Award at her home slope, by Snowsport England’s Finance Director, Simon Levene.
Jasmin said ‘’ I was really honoured to receive the Snowsport England Chair Award, and to be presented with this award at my home slope (Suffolk Ski Centre) with many of the Suffolk Vikings present was particularly special. That club has really shaped my life and has given me a great start and many happy memories!’’
Snowsport England are exceptionally proud to have watched Jasmin progress through one of our affiliated clubs, Suffolk Vikings and through dedication to the sport, reach the top of her game. We wish Jasmin every success in her future.