Alberta's Talent Development Centre Hires New Coach

May 27, 2011

The partnership of Rowing Canada Aviron, the Alberta Rowing Association (ARA) and the University of Calgary, is pleased to announce that a new coaching position at the Talent Development Centre - Calgary has been filled by James Dunaway.

Dunaway, originally from Duncan, B.C., is a 2008 World Champion in the coxed pair event and 2009 World silver medalist in the men's eight. He will assume the position of Talent Development Centre coach based in Calgary immediately.

"James' background as a National Team rower, University of Victoria athlete and coach at a Canadian university will be of great benefit to Alberta's up-and-coming rowers," said Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director Peter Cookson. "Alberta has historically produced a number of Canada's best rowers and this hiring will undoubtedly help continue this tradition."

The partners are working cooperatively to develop the high performance development system for the sport in Alberta to ensure a steady stream of high performance athletes and coaches are being trained to the standards required to win Olympic and World medals.

"The Alberta Rowing Association, University of Calgary Rowing Club and the Calgary Rowing Club are very pleased to have James Dunaway hired to run the TDC here in Calgary," said ARA President Carol Hermansen. "James' extensive athletic background will be of great benefit to our competitive programs. We are all very excited about this initiative and are looking forward to working together."

The Talent Development Centre in Alberta will link closely with RCA's National Development centre at Burnaby Lake, British Columbia.

Rowing's development model seeks to address the development gap that currently exists between Provincial and National Team programs (often the 18-23 year old age group), where talent attrition is high; giving Rowing Canada Aviron larger talent pools that are better prepared to succeed in National Team programs. These Development Programs are designed to enhance the daily training environment of Provincial elite athletes and complement the support currently being offered to National Training Groups and Sport Canada carded athletes from non-targeted sports based in Alberta.

This position has been made possible with funding provided by Own the Podium and the province of Alberta.