DISABLED Wintersport Australia (DWA) has announced a new chief executive officer in Jenni Cole.
Ms Cole was most recently the CEO of Disability Sports Australia and comes to DWA with over 30 years experience at all levels in adaptive sport.
She is a rehabilitation physiotherapist and educator by background and was the manager of classification for Paralympics Australia from 2006 – 2009 and medical coordinator for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
A keen recreational skier and avid alpine hiker, Ms Cole brings to the role of CEO of DWA broad experience in adaptive sport combined with passion for the power of adaptive sport to transform the lives of people with disability.
“I am tremendously excited to be able to combine my passion for adaptive sport with my love for the mountains and the snow, and to build on the amazing work done by DWA for so many years, to bring the joy of snow and alpine sport to people with a disability and their families,” she said.
“I look forward to working closely with the DWA board and the fantastic team from DWA and am excited for the future of this great organisation.”
After a disrupted season in 2020, which saw COVID–19 restrictions resulting in cancellation of camps and the well known volunteer guide program, this year is shaping up to be a significant return toward usual operations.
On snow services will resume at Falls Creek and Mt Hotham, as well as Mt Buller, and Thredbo and Perisher in NSW, meaning that people with a disability will once again be able to experience the joy and freedom of snowsports in a safe and inclusive environment.
“Our experienced and passionate staff and returning volunteer guides are already preparing to welcome our members back to the snow,” said Ms Cole.
“What better way to dust off the COVID lockdown blues and experience something magical?
"DWA has the skill and equipment to make sure that anyone can experience the freedom of being on snow.”
DWA is the National Sporting Organisation for Disabled Wintersport.
It was established in 1978 with a vision for the equality of opportunity for people with disabilities to participate at all levels in the winter sport of their choice.
DWA has over 1000 active members who range from recreational skiers and snowboarders through to Australia’s Winter Paralympians.
For more information about how to get involved, whether as a guide, volunteer or as a person with any kind of disability who wants to try adaptive skiing and snowboarding, please visit the DWA website www.disabledwintersport.com.au or make contact via email at info@disabledwintersport.com.au.
