The Swedish Ski Association (SSF) has created a new fund aimed at supporting up and coming young winter sports leaders ©SSF

The Swedish Ski Association (SSF) has created a new fund aimed at supporting up and coming young winter sports leaders.

The governing body announced the initiative to mark the 70th birthday this year of Sweden's monarch, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Three young leaders between the age of 15 and 30 will be awarded funds through a scholarship scheme each year.

The King, a great supporter of sports, is also an honourary member of the SSF.

On his 60th birthday, the "King Carl XVI Foundation for Young Leadership" was introduced and the latest announcement continues the tradition of marking notable birthdays with support for youth.

The initiative was launched to mark the 70th birthday of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf
The initiative was launched to mark the 70th birthday of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf ©Getty Images

Mats Årjes, the President of the SSF and also a council member of the International Ski Federation (FIS), said bringing through young talent into positions of responsibility was important.

"Our associations and districts are dedicated to getting more children and adults to discover and continue to have fun in the snow," he said.

"To do so, it is very important to have good leaders.

"With the newly created fund, we want to encourage young talented leaders to develop within clubs and hopefully take their skills on to the elite and national team training level.”