TORONTO (February 5, 2020) – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario is pleased to announce that its very own Ryan Atkison has been selected as CSIO’s new Director, Performance Services.
Ryan has been a member of the CSIO team since 2012, supporting Swimming Canada’s High Performance Centre Ontario (HPCO) as Biomechanist. Ryan has been an integral member of the HPCO team since joining the program, contributing to the development of medal-winning performances at every major international event since 2014. Ryan has served as the HPCO IST Lead since 2014, responsible for recruiting, developing, and managing a team of practitioners, and developing and managing sport specific research projects focused on enhancing performance.
In addition to his sport servicing and IST leadership roles, Ryan is committed to the leadership and advancement of his discipline and applied sport science in Canada. Ryan served as Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Lead at CSIO from 2015 to 2017 and Performance Analysis discipline lead for OTP’s National Sport Science and Medicine Advisory Committee from 2016 to 2019. Ryan is currently a member of OTP’s Practitioner Pathway Council, contributing to the High Performance Certification Committee, Data Sciences Pathway working group, and is Chair of the LEAD working group which is responsible for developing a leadership training program for Canada’s sport scientists.
Working together with Swimming Canada, CSIO has developed a transition plan that will see Ryan begin his role part-time immediately following the 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Swim Trials (March 30 – April 6, 2020). Between April and the Olympic Games (July 24 – August 9, 2020), Ryan will spend 2 days per week in his role as CSIO’s Director, Performance Services and the rest of his time will be spent as a member of Swimming Canada’s HPCO Team. CSIO’s interim Director, Performance Services, Sheldon Persad will continue in his role assisting Ryan and the senior leadership team during the transition period.
CSIO will continue to work together with Swimming Canada to monitor the transition plan and would like to thank and recognize Allan Wrigley and John Atkinson at Swimming Canada for their ongoing partnership and support.
QUOTES:
“I’m extremely thankful for the support and opportunities I’ve had with Swimming Canada, and am continuously humbled by the commitment, comradery, and winning mindset of everyone contributing to Swimming Canada’s high performance program. I am especially grateful for the leadership and mentorship I’ve received from HPC Ontario Head Coach Ben Titley and from Swimming Canada IST Director Allan Wrigley.
Looking forward, I’m thrilled for the opportunity to serve and support our sport science and sport medicine team at CSIO. I have tremendous respect for the work being done by our team at CSIO and will work relentlessly to ensure we continue to push boundaries, and collectively elevate people and performances.”
Ryan Atkison, Director, Performance Services, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
“I am extremely excited to have Ryan join our senior leadership team and lead the Performance Services unit at CSIO. Ryan has been a dedicated member of our staff since 2012 and will be a wonderful addition and contributor to our senior leadership team. He exemplifies the values of CSIO and demonstrates Commitment, Synergy, Integrity and Openness in everything he does. I look forward to working with Ryan in his new role.”
Debbie Low, CEO, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
“Ryan has done great work within the Swimming Canada High Performance Centre – Ontario, and on our national teams. Our centre will continue to work with Ryan through to the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials, presented by Bell March 30 to April 5 at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and onwards to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. We at Swimming Canada know Ryan will be great in this position and we look forward a continued strong relationship with CSIO and Ryan himself. We wish him all the best in this new role.”
John Atkinson, High Performance Director & National Coach, Swimming Canada
“While Ryan’s contributions to swimming will be missed for the next Olympic quadrennial, it’s incredibly exciting to see how he has taken advantage of his experiences and leadership roles within swimming sport science over the past number of years. He has progressed his knowledge, expertise, and sport leadership skills to a point where he has an entirely new opportunity as a senior leader in the Canadian sport system. I look forward to continued collaboration with Ryan as we build towards the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Dr. Allan Wrigley, Integrated Support Team Director, Swimming Canada
About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing world-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. Our team of expert practitioners deliver sport science, sport medicine, life services, and coaching and technical leadership support to help Canada win medals and strengthen the sport system in Ontario and Canada. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee. CSIO is further supported by funding partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Sport Canada, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. www.csiontario.ca
Media Contact:
Laura Albright, Manager, Communications & Events
Canadian
Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 416.596.1240 ex. 238
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca