Sporting challenges play an important part in the rehabilitation of our injured servicemen. The Combined Service Disabled Ski Team is one such organisation that works with our disabled veterans.
The Combined Services Disabled Ski Team (CSDST) is a registered charity which provides quality race coaching to serving members of the Armed Forces, and to veterans, all of whom have a permanent disability. Most members were injured on active service, and several are double amputees.
The CSDST, consisting of members from all three services, was set up in 2008 to provide a route, through rehabilitation, for disabled service personnel to compete competitively with their able-bodied colleagues. It is now an established and respected Ski Team on the international circuit with the roots of the organisation in Battleback and Snow Warrior Adaptive.
The team’s aim is to encourage the raw talent of near beginners, as well as providing high-level performance coaching up to international standard, with an eye on the ultimate goal of participation in Paralympic events.
Last season the team won a very respectable three gold, four silver and four bronze medals in international events andthis season they will train in Austria ahead of Army competitions in January and the Inter Services Championships in February. Several CSDST members are hoping to make the British Disabled Ski Team and represent their country in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.
At the beginning of the training year CSDST put novice skiers into a development programme, at indoor Snow facilities across the UK, aiming to provide basic skills and technique training as well as increasing experience and confidence on snow. Athletes showing aptitude and desire then progress to train and compete in the full range of military races from Corps / Unit through to the Inter Service Championships. Those skiers who show real promise are encouraged to race at Europa Cup level and, then on the British Disabled Ski Team (BDST) with the ultimate goal of participation in the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics.
Team Army is proud to support the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team.