LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The ⁤International School ​Sport Federation (ISF) and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) have⁢ formalized a collaboration aimed at⁤ expanding access to ⁣snow sports for young people worldwide. The partnership, solidified through a Memorandum ​of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 9, 2024, will leverage FIS’s expertise to enhance school-level⁢ snow sports programs.

Expertise Sharing and Event Support

under the agreement, FIS will provide technical support to ISF events, ⁢including access to FIS-approved courses, qualified technical delegates for officiating, and standardized timing and data management systems. This collaboration aims to elevate the quality and consistency of snow sports ‌competitions within the school sport framework. The ISF details the partnership’s goals on their ⁣official website.

Addressing Declining⁤ Participation and Fostering Growth

ISF President Zeljko Tanaskovic emphasized the core mission of the partnership: ⁢”to create meaningful opportunities for young people,where they can compete,discover new sports,and grow in a​ safe ⁤educational environment.” ‍ A⁣ key focus will be ⁤addressing the documented⁤ decline in sports participation among teenage ⁢girls, as ​highlighted by FIS’s new ​CEO, Urs Lehmann. Lehmann stated the ‍organization is “committed to ‌addressing the well-documented drop-off in sports engagement among ⁢teenage girls,” alongside promoting sustainability, fair play, and integrity within the sport.

A Long-Term Vision for Winter sports

Both organizations express optimism about the long-term impact of this collaboration. Tanaskovic believes the partnership⁢ will “open a‌ new chapter for winter sports” and inspire a new ⁢generation of athletes. ⁢ FIS’s commitment to these values aligns with the ISF’s educational approach, creating a synergistic relationship poised to benefit youth snow sports globally.