Hollingsworth AA HP boss

Athletics Australia announces new High Performance Manager

Athletics Australia is pleased to announce that Eric Hollingsworth has been appointed as its new High Performance Manager and will lead Athletics Australia’s High Performance Program.

Hollingsworth has an extensive employment history specialising in coaching, senior level sports administration, program management and sports consultancy.

Hollingsworth has been employed in the elite sports industry for over ten years, including the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS), Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), Athletics New Zealand (ANZ) and at Football Federation Victoria (FFV).

He has extensive international and national high performance experience in athletics having held the positions of Head Coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport and Performance Director at Athletics New Zealand.

Hollingsworth is also an active elite coach having coached several international athletes including Australian 400m runner Sean Wroe who competed at the recent Beijing Olympic Games. He will be granted sufficient time by Athletics Australia to make the transition from his coaching duties to administer the National High Performance program.

In accepting the appointment, Hollingsworth said his aim was to ensure Austalia’s athletes harness their potential and make the most of their opportunities ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

“I’m delighted that Athletics Australia has put faith in me. Being the leader of the High Performance program is an honour and I’m looking forward to being part of an organisation and department that is moving in the right direction,” said Hollingsworth.

“I will be working closely with the AIS, state institutes, athletes and coaches to ensure there is a national focus. Obviously we have to work with the available funds which athletics has at its disposal but there is much that can be done by building relationships and providing support for athletes and coaches. Of course my main priority is to ensure that Australia’s athletes perform at major championships.”

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Danny Corcoran said Hollingsworth was well equipped to take the program forward through his vast experience and expertise.

“Eric is a passionate ambassador for athletics and sport in general and brings to us a wealth of experience in the elite sports management,” said Corcoran.

Athletics Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport also announce that Tudor Bidder has been re-appointed to the role of AIS Athletics Performance Manager and will lead the AIS track and field program in Canberra.

“Hollingsworth and Bidder will work closely together to develop the roadmap and strategy for the sport as we set sail towards London in 2012,” Corcoran said.

Hollingsworth will be based in Melbourne and will commence his role at Athletics Australia in January 2009.

This is both good and bad. I think Eric is a great coach and is passionate about the sport and will do well in his new position. But at the same time, we have so few capable coaches that are active in this country that his appointment will be felt - even though he will recieve a transition period.

Best of luck to him any way.

not likely

:eek: EH’s doesn’t have a good reputation in NZ from a discussion about this on a NZ forum

As far as Hollingsworth’s appoinment goes, I am aware that many in the sport in Australia believe it is possibly the worst decision that could have been made, especially considering the precarious financial situation Athletics Australia is in
.

Am i detecting that Hollingsworth and Bidder don’t get along.

Hollingsworth won’t be afraid to make a decision (like one of his predecessors in the head coach - HP manager role, fellow Englishman Keith Connor). Trouble is, as soon as you make a decision, you will upset the people who were not favoured by the particular call - even when it was an appropriate decision in balance.

Maybe that is what AA needs, someone who is not afraid to make the hard decisions, and if it upsets some so be it.