Rowing New Zealand appoints two independent selectors
Rowing New Zealand has appointed two new independent selectors to join the Elite and U23 selection panels.
Barrie Mabbott, Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion has been selected to the Elite panel as convenor, with former New Zealand elite rower Luke van Velthooven to be the convenor of the U23 panel.
Both bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, having been heavily involved in the rowing community through coaching and administration. Mabbott held the role of national junior selector until 2012, and national elite and under 23 selector until 2016. Van Velthooven was the convenor of the Rowing New Zealand junior panel from 2013 – 2016.
The selection panels will be the respective head men's and women's coaches - Noel Donaldson and Gary Hay and the two independent selectors. The appointment of Mabbott and van Velthooven is a result of a review of the entire high performance programme following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
"After the Rio Olympics, we reviewed the high performance programme and the selection structure as part of that," Rowing NZ HP Director Alan Cotter said.
The review provided an opportunity to ensure the continued success of the high performance rowing programme through to and beyond Tokyo 2020.
"We made a minor change, with the Elite and U23 trials being separate in 2016 and will retain that approach in 2017. We'll also bring the crew coaches closer to the conversation, so they have greater input into the final make-up of the crews.
These changes reflect the professional environment and ensures the sport keeps evolving to reflect today’s athletes, coaches and HP operations.
The selection process for elite crews has also changed, with two trials to select crews. One trial will be held in March to select crews/squads for the World Cups and the final trial in August to select the crews for the World Championships.