Speed Skating Canada – Ottawa, August 14, 2018 – Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrison to the position of Manager, Coach, Athlete and Competition Development.

In this role, David Morrison will be primarily responsible for coach development with Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs), long-term participant and athlete development, and competition development, which includes official’s development, for both short and long track.

In addition, David Morrison will lead initiatives with external partners, including the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), International Skating Union (ISU), Sport Canada, Speed Skating Canada Sport Council committees, and competition organizing committees.

“The pursuit of Speed Skating Canada’s tradition of excellence is not only about high performance, but also the critical stages of development through a strong Long-Term Participant and Athlete Development (LTPAD) model. To support this critical model of athlete development takes a strong system of coaches, officials, and competition”, said SSC’s Chief Sport Officer Shawn Holman. “This is quite a diverse and valued portfolio for SSC’s members and we are privileged to have such an experienced and passionate person as David Morrison to take on this role. Welcome aboard David!”

“I am looking forward to the challenges this role presents and the unique opportunity to work with the expertise we have throughout the Canadian speed skating community”, said David Morrison.

An educator by profession, David Morrison is an NCCP Level 5 certified coach with over 33 years speed skating experience. He has worked in both short and long track speed skating, coached at the Junior World level and has been a participant and leader in system development in coaching education, athlete development and competitions, which will be the three primary areas in his portfolio. His previous roles include regional development mentor for Speed Skating Canada (2013-2018), head coach of the Gloucester Concordes (1994-2013), Team Canada coach and assistant coach at the ISU World Junior Short Track Championships (1998-2001), and Team Ontario coach at the Canada Winter Games (1995, 1997 and 2007). He is the former head coach of the Short Track Legacy Program at the Richmond Olympic Oval in British Columbia (2013-2018).

David Morrison will start his new role effective immediately and can be reached at dmorrison@speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, SSC is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial associations. Speed Skating Canada is committed to Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey. www.speedskating.ca

Speed Skating Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Premium partner: Intact Insurance

Funding partners: Government of Canada (Sport Canada), Own The Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee

Official On-Ice High Performance Apparel: Li-Ning

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

Official Technical Equipment Supplier: Nagano Skate

Sport Development Partners: Winsport Canada, Calgary’s Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, Institut national du sport du Québec, Government of Quebec, Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Excellence sportive Québec-Lévis

– 30 –

For more information:

Patrick Godbout

Lead, Communications & Media Relations

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC