History
The club has existed since June 2001, when it began life as Otterbourne Primary Ski Club. The purpose was to teach children to ski in order to maintain the school ski team which had been participating in the English Championships since 1999.
Word got out however, and very soon there were children from many schools local to the Southampton area who were also keen to take part.
In 2004 the name was changed to the Southampton Area Ski Association, or SASA, to represent this expanded interest and in January 2006 the club registered with the governing body, Snowsport England
Our philosophy is about producing skiers who can race and we pride ourselves on being a grassroots club that creates opportunities for skiers to race on both dry slope and snow through regular race camps and training days.
Running the Club
The club is run entirely by volunteers. Everyone involved in the club got involved through their children and give up their time to organise races, training days, kit sales and training camps.
If you would like to get involved either on race days or on a more regular basis, we are always very keen for people to get involved. You don’t need to have an experience of race training, just an enthusiasm to get involved. If you are interested, speak to any of or the committee at the next race or SASA Tuesday training session, or send an email to secretary@skisasa.co.uk
The Committee
The committee comprises:
The committee normally meets at monthly intervals and anyone can attend. Minutes are produced from each meeting. We do not routinely publish minutes but any member is entitled to request to see them. If you would like to see copies of minutes, please contact secretary@skisasa.co.uk
SASA Organisation Structure
SASA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Members of SASA are members of the limited company and therefore have a £1 liability and voting rights. Junior members (under 16s) aren’t members of the company and don’t have voting rights or £1 liability.
The directors of SASA are:
Lesley Gash
Rachel Harrison-Smith
Richard Trowbridge
SASA Safeguarding
SASA is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults who engage in all Snowsports activities.
Lesley Gash is the Welfare Officers for SASA and is available to discuss any concerns or worries you may have. Contact her face to face or via chair@skisasa.co.uk or CWO@skisasa.co.uk
Safeguarding & Welfare Policy
Snowsports England Policy reviewed Aug 2023 next review 2026
https://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2021-SnowSafe-Children-Policy-1.pdf
https://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SnowSafe-Adults-Policy
https://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SnowSafe-Adults-Procedures-1.pdf
Antibullying policy
https://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/EDITABLE-ANTI-BULLYING-POLICY.pdf
Guidance on reporting a concern
https://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/safeguarding/
Supportive links
https://www.kent.police.uk/area/your-area/kent/medway/
https://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/safeguarding/