“The WAG community have been clear in their message to us that they believe in a Canadian-led management team, so I am very happy that the combination we announce today reflects the skill set and experience that is critical to work with our high-level coaches, athletes, and judges to give us the best chance of success in Tokyo,” said Ian Moss, High Performance Director and Interim CEO for GCG.
“I look forward to providing input on the current national team programs in order to continue to build success going into 2020,” said Fletcher who worked previously as the WAG National Team Director for GCG from 2010-2014, and has most recently been active as a high-level coach and administrator at the Phoenix Gymnastics Club in Vancouver, BC.
“I have been involved with gymnastics most of my life – as a gymnast and as a coach,” said Bard who has over 50 years of international coaching experience in various countries and who has been instrumental in the Canadian system for many years as a high-level coach and leader of the WAG Aspire athlete identification program. “My immediate goal in this role is to apply my knowledge and experience in preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games, where we hope to make Canada proud by winning the first Olympic medal for the women’s program.”
“I am pleased that the WAG team is now complete and look forward to working together to achieve the goals of this program,” said Tambakopoulos who joined the GCG national office in 2017 and was previously the Director General of Unigym Gatineau.
Fletcher will be responsible for the overall WAG high performance strategy and infrastructure, while Bard will be the technical expert managing the technical preparation of athletes for international competition. Tambakopoulos will provide administrative leadership and communication for the WAG high performance program from the GCG office. Both Bard and Fletcher will work remotely from the GCG office.
ABOUT GYMNASTICS CANADA
First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. Gymnastics Canada works closely with the twelve provincial and territorial federations and 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of our over 325,000 participants. From athlete development, to coach and judge education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experience through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information, or follow us @CDNgymnastics.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Forget
Director, Communications & Marketing
Gymnastics Canada
613.748.5673 x 233
cell: 819.210.2064
jforget@gymcan.org