Mansfield Nordic named NENSA Club of the Year
From our friends at Mansfield Nordic:
In recognition of their success in supporting skiers and programming at all levels and across generations, the New England Nordic Ski Association names Mansfield Nordic the 2013 NENSA Club of the Year.
As one of the larger clubs in New England, Mansfield Nordic has a diverse membership, and has perfected the art of providing programming for all of them. Especially compelling is Mansfield’s ability to incorporate multiple generations in the same programs. Based on the West side of Mt. Mansfield, the club draws local athletes as well as skiers from the greater Burlington area. They train primarily at the National Guard Biathlon Range in Jericho, VT.
“What an exciting honor it is for the Mansfield Nordic Club to receive this award!” said Karen Alence of the Mansfield Nordic Board of Directors. “Thank you to NENSA for this award, and for bringing together this wonderful community of New England cross-country skiers.”
”We recently organized into a more formal structure,” added Alence. “Prior to that, Murray Banks was not only coaching BKL, Juniors and Masters but also managing the club’s coaching staff and day to day organization himself. His philosophies have infused our skiers and coaches with the pursuit of excellence – everyday.”
Banks, had this to say about the Mansfield Nordic program, “While our Junior Team has made the news lately with podiums at nationals, and we are thrilled that coach Tim Weston will travel [as NENSA’s representative] to the USOC National Coaches Conference, it is our Bill Koch League & Masters programs that are the backbone of the club.”
Indeed, under the stellar coaching of Tim Weston, the Mansfield Nordic Junior program has posted some impressive results, several from the well-known Harmeyer brothers who grew up in the club. Not to be outshined, the Mansfield Masters, a group of over 70 athletes led by six paid coaches, have posted some results of their own including medals at several Canadian events, the American Birkebeiner, U.S. National and Masters World Championships.
Thanks to NENSA sponsor Concept2, Mansfield Nordic will receive a new SkiErg in recognition of the Club of the Year honor; something both coaches can add to their training routine.
Banks, who was awarded NENSA’s 2011 BKL Youth Leadership Award, will be the first to point out that healthy development is the priority in Mansfield’s programs. Banks and Karen Alence are quick to credit Rick Costanza, head coach of both the Masters team and the growing Bill Koch League program, with striking the balance. As Alence said, “Costanza leads a team of coaches and volunteers, bringing fun and fitness to our skiers of all ages.”
Fitting with their larger mission of creating community, Costanza has successfully partnered with other local BKL clubs for a wide-range recreational program and to establish an effective local development pipeline. It is working. Wherever you see one of those sharp new Mansfield suits, you generally see several, and they all appear to be having a really good time.
About Mansfield Nordic
About Mansfield Nordic Mansfield Nordic Club is an organization of cross-country skiers nestled in the western foothills of Mt. Mansfield in Vermont. They welcome skiers of all ages and all abilities with opportunities for recreational skiing, instruction, training and racing. While MNC skiers have recently won medals at NE, National and World Championships at youth, junior and masters levels, they also inspire members to develop their technique and fitness at beginner and novice levels. They have a passion for skiing and the outdoors and enjoy the camaraderie and social benefits of skiing with friends! Learn more at their website: http://www.mansfieldnordic.org/.