The Australian Secondary Schools Snowsports Team Championship (ASSSTC) began in 1967 and has run every year since. The Championship originated from an idea instigated by Tom Mitchell, an Australian Winter Olympian, Member of the Victorian Parliament and pioneer of Australian skiing. The competition gives participants a unique opportunity to perform in a team environment where skills in the various disciplines of alpine, cross country and snowboard are required. This championship is unique as there are no individual winners, but each participant contributes points to the team result. The maximum size of any team is 16, made up of alpine skiers, cross country skiers and snowboarders. To score the most points, the majority of team members need to compete in at least two disciplines, with only a handful being able to specialise in any one discipline. The disciplines include Grand Slalom, Ski-X, Snowboard-X and Cross-Country Classic technique and the Freestyle Relay events. Students needing to compete in their non-preferred discipline means that the pressure is off competitors to enter only if they are highly talented. The event is usually a four day carnival that welcomes Professional Race Training with Falls Creek Ski School Trainers on the Tuesday, Skier Cross and Boarder Cross events on Wednesday, Giant Slalom Events for Skiers and Snowboarders on the Thursday and Cross Country events held on the Friday. The carnival concludes on the Friday, with a luncheon and presentations.This vest is significant because it represents an important School Skiing Competition which fosters and supports the development of skiing and snowboarding in Australia.A sleeveless navy blue vest with silk textile lining. The vest has two zip pockets and a front zip closure. Cloth badges representing A.S.S.S.S.T.C championships have been hand-stitched on to the front of the vest in a vertical row. A badge representing the maker is at the lower left hem.A.S.S.S.S.T.C badges for 1979, 1980 and 1981.australian secondary schools snowsports team championship, school skiing competitions