Speed Skating Canada – Ottawa, July 27, 2017 – Speed Skating Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn Holman to the position of Chief Sport Officer (CSO).

As CSO, Shawn Holman will be the lead Speed Skating Canada staff responsible for both the domestic development of the sport, and the ongoing leadership of a world-leading High-Performance program. He will start in his new role on August 21, 2017.

“It’s exciting to be part of the growth of speed skating in Canada, and to help drive excellence on the international stage, too,” said Shawn Holman. “Speed Skating Canada has a strong Board and high performance leadership team (coaches and support teams) with a great vision for the sport in Canada. I’m proud to be joining the team.”

Holman will work with Speed Skating Canada’s Provincial and Territorial Associations, Board of Directors, volunteers and professional staff to further strengthen all levels of sport development and national team programs.

Specifically, Holman will have oversight of:

• High-performance programs for Short and Long Track Speed Skating, post PyeongChang 2018;
• Domestic development programs for coaches, officials and skaters;
• International hosting

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to work as CSO with Speed Skating Canada as they continue to grow the sport of speed skating through the execution of world-class programs from grass roots through to Olympic podium performances,” added Holman. “I’m looking forward to working with Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance the athlete pathway as part of the Long-Term Athlete and Participant Development Model.”

Holman’s history in speed skating spans his experiences as an athlete through to his work as a National Team Coach. Leveraging his sport leadership experience, Holman has spent over a decade in various leadership roles from grassroots organizations to high performance levels with the University of Calgary Olympic Oval, Calgary Speed Skating Association and Speed Skating Canada.

“With oversight of the sport from domestic development through to high performance, we are excited to achieve this level of alignment with Shawn’s experience and skill set,” said Speed Skating Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Susan Auch.

In addition to his sports experience, Holman brings to Speed Skating Canada a decade of direct business management and operations experience as well as corporate sector experience in communications, organizational effectiveness, and change management.

“We are thrilled to have Shawn in the role of CSO,” added Speed Skating Canada’s President, Cathy Priestner Allinger. “The comprehensive sports portfolio coupled with his business and corporate experience give us confidence that both our domestic and high-performance programs will thrive under his leadership.”

About Speed Skating Canada

“To Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating”

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. 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.

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

Long Track Team Sponsor: KIA

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

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, Conseil du sport de haut niveau de Québec

– 30 –

For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

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