New head coach for Switzerland

Olympic rowing gold medallist Tim Foster is to take up a post as head coach to the Swiss national rowing squad. This will take effect from the end of January 2007 and continue through to the Beijing Olympics.

Foster, who won gold with the famed Redgrave, Pinsent, Cracknell men’s four at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, retired from rowing and jumped directly into coaching just months after the Games. Foster showed immediate promise as a coach and in 2004 British Rowing successfully nominated Foster for a position in the first ever intake of UK Sport’s Elite Coach scheme which aims to produce up to 60 home grown elite level coaches by 2012.

The elite coach programme encourages coaches to continue learning and both UK Sport and Britain’s Amateur Rowing Association have welcomed the move to Switzerland believing that the international experience gained will be of great benefit to Foster’s long-term development as a world-class coach.

Foster remains a part of the long-term vision for rowing in this country, in particular as the sport aims for major success at London 2012.

“This is a great opportunity to lead a squad and put into practice some of the skills I’ve learnt from UK Sport’s Elite Coach Scheme and to advance as a coach”, said Foster.

Liz Nicholl, UK Sport’s Director of Performance, said that the move will not threaten Foster’s place on the scheme:

“Whilst the programme takes coaches nominated by their governing bodies and works to build their skill base around their day-to-day responsibilities, every opportunity should be taken to further individual development. In Tim Foster’s case it looks as though international experience with another rowing programme, especially in a Head Coach role, may be the best way of gaining significant experience in the short-term.”

Tim will therefore remain part of UK Sport’s Elite Coach scheme until his intake completes its three-year journey this autumn, and we wish him well with the Swiss team.”

Press release thanks to UK Sport and GB Rowing.

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