The Maunga Wāhine Project, Snow Sports New Zealand’s women and girls strategy, has officially launched with a nationwide survey.
Louise Johnson, Snow Sports NZ Maunga Wāhine Project Manager, is calling all women and girls over the age of 12 who have competed in snow sports in the past, or are still competing now, to take part in the survey.
Johnson explained, “It’s important the Maunga Wāhine project is created by women and girls, for women and girls. For our work to have the greatest impact we need to really understand the experience women and girls have in competitive snow sports, what’s working well, and what needs to change. I’m really excited to launch this survey. I can’t wait to hear what our former and current female athletes have to say, and to use their feedback to directly inform the project. There is the the chance to win a $400 Outside Sports voucher if you complete the survey, so I hope loads of women and girls do.”
The purpose of the Maunga Wāhine Project is to make sure competitive snow sports is a place where girls and women feel welcomed, valued and is a space in which they can grow and thrive, regardless of their snow sports aspirations. It has a specific focus on female athletes and coaches so this survey is aimed at current and former female athletes who have competed in any snow sports discipline in New Zealand. Female coaches will be surveyed at a later stage in the project.
Mikayla Smyth, who is rapidly emerging as one to watch in the Alpine Ski Racing world, said; "Encouraging young girls and women in snow sports is imperative for the longevity of the sport as a whole. I strongly believe in the Maunga Wāhine Project as feeling supported and uplifted by other women builds community. Making young girls feel like they can achieve anything they set out to do will lay the foundations of female snows sports athletes for the next generations to come and I can’t wait to see the impact of this project!”
Janina Kuzma, two-time Winter Olympian, professional freeskier and ski guide explained; “The Maunga Wāhine project aims to empower women and girls in snow sports, ensuring they feel welcome and valued. By defining success, providing tailored support, and nurturing coaching talent, it will help break barriers and open doors to exciting opportunities, shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for all.”
Snow Sports New Zealand is thrilled see the Maunga Wāhine project reach this important stage and encourages all women and girls who have competed in snow sports to be frank and fearless in sharing their experiences by taking part in the survey -
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MaungaWahineAthlete
