Posted: March 1, 2006

Triathlon: Tom Patrick is the new High Performance Director for Triathlon Canada

After an extensive world-wide search, Triathlon Canada is pleased to announce they’ve hired Dr. Tom Patrick as their new High Performance Director. Patrick will lead all aspects of the organization’s High Performance program including the National Team Program, development and junior programs and will serve as the Director of the National Triathlon Centre (NTC) in Victoria, BC.

Alan Trivett, Triathlon Canada’s Executive Director says Patrick was the overwhelming choice for this key role, “Tom is a proven leader with the vision and skill-set to produce international success at Major Games and the development of a strong, sustainable feeder system through which the next generation of champions will be produced.”

Patrick has an extensive background as Sport Psychologist and educator both in sport and academia, however, according to Triathlon Canada’s President, Stephen Holmes, “His most impressive qualities are those related to his leadership, and ability to develop a long and short term model plan to develop world and Olympic champions.” Holmes continued to say, “This position requires a hands-on approach to developing and managing a system in which athletes and coaches will work harmoniously with a single minded purpose and Tom Patrick is the right man to take us forward.”

Patrick has worked with several Olympians and World Champions in the sports of swimming, racquetball, curling, and cycling in addition to his work with the Men’s and Women’s National volleyball teams. Patrick will be concluding his University of Winnipeg and consulting responsibilities over the next four months and will fully assume his new role with Triathlon Canada on July 1st and says he can’t wait to get started. “I look at this important role as a fantastic opportunity. I am incredibly passionate about the sport of triathlon and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Tom Patrick is no stranger to those in the triathlon community as he is currently leading the design and implementation of the new National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Competition Development Coaching stream. Tom has been working with Triathlon Canada in a consulting capacity since 2004. He is also responsible for curriculum design and instruction for Canada’s National and International coaches enrolled in levels 4 and 5 of the NCCP. Dr. Patrick is also serving as the Chair of the Managing Council with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association.

The hiring of a High Performance Director is in response to the many recommendations brought forward in Debbie Muir’s report following her review of Triathlon Canada’s High Performance Program last November. Triathlon Canada’s Executive Committee unanimously supported each of the key recommendations found in the report and in addition to hiring Dr. Patrick, Triathlon Canada has employed full-time coaches on an exclusive basis and is working to enhance the National Training Centre in Victoria.

According to Trivett, “Tom has everything we were looking for, outstanding leadership skills, Olympic and International experience with a history of success and a high level of strategic planning and implementation abilities. Trivett believes this is a huge day for Triathlon Canada. “Tom understands what it takes to be the best in the world but more importantly he knows the steps required to get there.”

Triathlon Canada is the National Federation for the Sport of Triathlon and Duathlon in Canada.

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