One of Australia’s most talented snowboarders, Matty Cox, has hung up the competitive snowboard boots this week, citing a “lack of funding and support” as the reason for the decision.
Having made the switch from Team Australia to Team Great Britain last year, a decision made to give himself the best access to funding to further his competitive career, Matty’s sights were set on competing on the World Cup circuit and ultimately in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
It seems the harsh reality of FIS rankings, national team funding, injury and Australia’s high cost of doing business when it comes to snowboard competitions has resulted in it no longer being financially viable for Matty to compete.
He posted on Instagram earlier this week:
“Unfortunately, my competitive snowboarding career has come to an end due to a lack of support.
Last year, I made the switch from OWIA (Team Aus) to Team GB, hoping for some actual funding and support. I was told that if I could deliver results, there’d be funding to help fuel another Olympic run. Ironically, despite meeting the funding criteria, GB decided not to support me in June. It highlights a broader issue with FIS and the way competitions are structured these days—without the support of a governing body, it’s nearly impossible to compete. FIS has also made it harder to self-fund by cutting access to discounted rates for contest accommodations—just one of many things wrong with the system.
On top of that, I dislocated my shoulder in February and had to undergo surgery. It’s been a long recovery, but I’m glad to say I’m nearly back to 100%. The injury may have sidelined me, but it gave me the chance to focus on rehab and come back stronger. I’m more determined than ever to see what the next chapter holds, even if it’s no longer in competition”.
It’s a sad competitive finale for one of the most energetic and unique personalities in Australian snowboarding. More and more so, the world of competitive snowboarding seems tough to crack, especially from Australia and New Zealand. Without the financial backing of a national team, a complex and often political set of hoops to jump through, the path for young and talented riders to compete on the world stage is a difficult one.
Matty’s story is rich with trials and tribulations, but we have no doubt there is more to come from one of our country’s most entertaining riders. Read some of the comments on his Instagram post as proof of the influence he has had on our snowboard community.
Thanks, Matty, for your contribution to Australian snowboarding so far.
See you on the hill!
