The Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA) is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting winter sports among British Army personnel. Registered as a charity under number 1146256 and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, the AWSA plays a pivotal role in fostering excellence in winter sports within the British Army community.

History

The AWSA was originally established in 1947 as the Army Ski Association, prompted by Field Marshal Montgomery's initiative to encourage winter sports participation among service members. Over time, it expanded its remit beyond skiing to include multiple winter disciplines.

Activities and Sports Supported

The AWSA supports eight winter sports disciplines:

• Alpine skiing
• Bobsleigh
• Cresta Run (a skeleton-type sledding sport)
• Luge
• Nordic events, including Biathlon and Cross Country skiing
• Snowboarding
• Skeleton
• Telemark skiing

The association organizes and manages training, competitions, and events for these sports, facilitating development of skills and providing opportunities for competitive participation at both national and international levels. It is closely linked to the longstanding Inter Service Alpine Ski Championships, which are among the oldest continuous ski races in the world, dating back to before the First World War.

Role and Impact

The AWSA encourages service personnel to engage in winter sports as a means of physical fitness, discipline, and recreation beyond their military duties. It provides a platform to test oneself in demanding environments and fosters camaraderie across the armed forces. Additionally, the AWSA has a proud tradition of its athletes representing Great Britain in international winter sports competitions.

The association organizes key exercises and competitions, such as "Ex WHITE KNIGHT," "Ex WHITE LION," and Nordic-focused events, which are crucial in maintaining a high standard of winter sports performance within the Army.

Governance and Support

The AWSA operates under the leadership of military and civilian officials, including a President, Chair, Vice Chair, and an Operations Manager. Its activities receive significant support from private sector sponsors, whose generosity is vital to sustaining the winter sports programme.

Relationship with Armed Forces Sport

While the AWSA is focused on the Army, it collaborates within the broader context of the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association (UKAF WSA), which promotes excellence in winter sports across all branches of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, including the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

In summary, the Army Winter Sports Association is a key institution within the British military sports community, dedicated to the promotion, development, and excellence of winter sports among Army personnel, thereby contributing to physical fitness, morale, and national representation in winter sports disciplines[1][2][3][4][5].

[1] https://www.awsa.org.uk [2] https://www.awsa.org.uk/about-us/ [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5025363 [4] https://wintersports.britisharmysport.com [5] https://ukafwsa.org/about-the-ukafwsa/