The Pond in Avon Connecticut is Getting Serious about Junior Development

The number of competitors in the Junior Divisions at the 2005 Eastern Region Championship Tournament was alarmingly low. Some examples:

· There were two Boys 1 Slalom Skiers
· There was one Boys 1 Trick Skier
· There was one Girls 1 Trick Skier
· There were two Girls 2 Trick Skiers
· There were zero Girls 2 Jumpers
· There was one Girls 3 Trick Skier
· There was one Girls 3 Jumper

Reflecting on these numbers, the Old Farms Skiers Water Ski Club at the Pond in Avon Connecticut has changed their tournament entry fees for Junior Skiers. Effective immediately, the following entry fees will apply for tournaments held at the Pond in Avon Connecticut:

· First-time Junior Competitors at the Pond will ski for free

· All other Junior Competitors will ski for a $20 Entry Fee

These changes are effective immediately and will apply to the tournaments at the Pond on August 27 –28, 2005 and on September 10 – 11, 2005. There is room in each of these tournaments for additional entries.

The members of the Old Farms Skiers Water Ski Club encourage other tournament hosts in the Eastern Region to follow their lead in establishing this tournament entry fee structure. We also want to hear about ideas that other clubs have to increase participation among the Junior Divisions.