Pastoral Care and Development of Social Skills

We believe that pastoral care is vitally important to ensure that a trainee reaches their full potential. We pride ourselves on the relaxed but disciplined environment we create while on the training camps. Trainees are expected to work hard, be it on the hill or in fitness training at the end of the day, and play hard and we ensure that they eat and sleep well. Although skiing is an individual sport, being part of the Kandahar Team is one of the cornerstones of the training camps.

There are few rules, no sexual activity, no alcohol, no drugs, no smoking and no bullying. Trainees staying with us are expected to keep their personal belongings safe and tidy; they are expected to contribute towards helping those with less experience, with preparation of skis, with tidying up at the end of a stay and generally contributing to the happy atmosphere of the training camps. We expect a high standard of behaviour on the hill, around the hotels and during Race weeks, and we expect the trainees to take personal responsibility for all their actions. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable, and good sportsmanship is essential.

The best way to show this team spirit is a quote from a trainee, Tom Gulden, at age 14:

“The trip had been very enjoyable. Working hard during training, working harder during the races and relaxing with your closest friends. After having spent so many months together, deep bonds are formed between trainees and these bonds are rarely broken. This is apparent because we can still see these bonds in the adults who support us. Racing is possibly the best feeling you could have. The anxiety when you are in the start, your mind is completely focused. You push out of the start and everything goes quiet. It is just you and the course. When you reach the bottom you try to remember but you can’t, it is all a blur. Then the tingly sensation runs throughout your body and you can’t move you are so happy. I would like to leave you on this note; “Kandahar, at the forefront of British racing.” (Written after Easter 2003 Training and Racing Camp).”

Alcohol & Celebrations

Kandahar Racing does not want to prohibit trainees from celebrating. However in our opinion the consumption of alcohol is not compatible with athletes in training at this level. We propose to offer any Junior trainee of 15 years or over a glass of wine or beer with dinner to celebrate the end of the races. If they are found to have consumed or purchased any other alcohol, they will be sent home immediately at their parent's expense. May I remind you that the purchase of alcohol is illegal under the age of 18.

Please will you discuss this with your children before they come on training.

Medical

When booking your child on to a Kandahar Racing camp you are asked to complete a medical disclaimer form and a treatment consent form. This form gives Kandahar Racing the permission to act in loco parentis to your children in the event of hospitalistion. It is vital that Kandahar Racing know if your child has any medical condition.

Should any Racer suffer an injury on the hill, all the trainers are competent in first aid, and if they had any concerns they would contact the local Rescue service and the Kandahar manager would go with the trainee to the nearest medical centre. The Manager would stay with the trainee while their injuries are assessed and treated. Parents are kept informed throughout the process.

If a trainee needs medical care, from a cold/cough/tummy upset to minor injury, we have a well stocked medical/first aid box, and we will ask parental permission to medicate. We frequently have a nurse as a housemother, who can reapply bandages etc. If a trainee is not well enough to ski, we will ensure that a responsible adult will be in the hotel with the trainee. 

Child Protection Act

Kandahar Racing subscribes and adheres to the British Ski and Snowboarding and the Sport UK Child Protection Policy. All members of the Kandahar Racing management and staff are aware of the current legislation concerning physical contact with children. However, we think that in certain circumstances it is necessary and beneficial to have physical contact with trainees, for example, while stretching to ensure they are using the right technique, help with getting up after a nasty fall, when they have done well in a race, or when they haven’t done well and need a hug. No member of staff would touch a child when not appropriate.

All managers, house mothers and members of the training team are put through the Enhanced Disclosure procedure before they work with children.