Discussion: Congratulations Brent!

http://www.orienteering.ca/2011/10/cof-announces-b...

Great for Brent and great for Canada!

Is it just me, or does it seem like Canada Orienteering is focused and committed to developing high performance athletes, especially compared to OUSA? And even if this is more sizzle than steak (which I don't believe), it is still great.

I'd love to learn more about Canada has been able to achieve this sort of momentum behind such a goal.

And, if I were a betting man ... I would be putting my Loonies on the Canucks when it comes to NA dominance in the future, I am sad to say.

Thanks Clem.

>>>I'd love to learn more about Canada has been able to achieve this sort of momentum behind such a goal.

We still have a long way to go but I think there have been a lot of positive changes in the last few years. I don't think the method is a secret. First, we created an Athlete Rep position. The AR (currently Patrick Goeres) is elected by the national team athletes and sits on the COF Board as a full voting member. The national team now has a voice and a vote at the very top where decisions are made. Second, we created a High Performance Committee whose sole purpose is to try to improve elite orienteering. The AR serves as the link between the committee and the board. The committee has 6 or 7 other enthusiastic members who brainstorm how to make things better and then leave the meetings with some tasks to complete.

Is the High Performance Committee made up of all elite orienteers or is there a mix of interested people?

Congratulations Brent. I can't think of anybody better suited and qualified to take on this important role in our sport.

@Kissy, the HPC is a mix of interested people. list of committee members are here:
http://www.orienteering.ca/about/committees/

I predict that Brent's new position will make a huge difference to our national junior team and very pleased with that this has happened.

I'd also say that a lot of the focus on Elites and arena production seen in Canada over the last few years has come from a small group of key people that simply decided to step up and make it happen - namely Adrian Zissos, Magnus Johansson, and Brent with a few other dedicated athletes thrown into the mix. Good things never come from waiting for others to make it happen.

The HPC is:
Patrick G - Chair & COF Athlete's Rep
Magnus J - Sr National Team coach
Brent L - Jr National Team coach
Charlotte M - COF exec director & former national team member
Eric K - was junior rep, but now too old ;-)
Nevin F - used to be quite fast, but now too old ;-)
Adrian Z - was never fast, and now certainly way too old!

So, no, not all elite orienteers. But a mix of very interesting people ;-)

A fine bunch.

J-man wrote
"I'd love to learn more about Canada has been able to achieve this sort of momentum behind such a goal"

Clem, Earlier this year I was invited to meet with the HPC to discuss another exciting initiative in Canadian elite orienteering (that will be announced in the next few months). All I can say is that this committee exudes infectious enthusiasm towards elite orienteering. They make things happen by focusing on the positive and towards moving forward. I left the meeting wanting to do more to assist elite orienteering development at the national level. That is how you achieve momentum!

Congrats Brent - very exciting!

After seeing the great work that Brent has done as Yukon Junior Coach I am confident that he will do a fine job carrying this forward to the national level.

Congratulations and thanks!
The work of Brent and others, going back many years, has created a wonderful orienteering culture in Yukon. It's proof that a few committed people can achieve great things. Now it's time for associations, clubs, and individuals across the country to step up and increase their support for the HPP and its coaches, team leaders and athletes.

At what age/level can Canadian juniors become part of HPC?
Who are your top prospects, at this time?

We are saying 16 is the youngest but there is no fast rule. Part of my job will be to find prospects. Honestly, at 16 we are just trying to guide training and development so the athletes learn how to train properly. The ones who commit and work will rise to the top as they get older. A slightly less evasive answer would be I am sitting next to one in Van airport on our way to the last Canada Cups in Ottawa.

OUSA is always looking for good people to serve on the BOD, and US Team members have done so in the past. But, that is typically the exception. Understandably, team members are busy and need to concentrate on being the best competitors possible.

However, while that may be individually optimal, it isn't necessarily collectively optimal. It might be worthwhile to mandate that the US Team have someone on the OUSA BOD. I don't think the BOD would mind. And, if the Team ESC decreed it on their end, it ought to get done.

Anyway, just an idea.

There used to be a (then) USOF BOD seat that was reserved for someone selected by the Team.