Athletics Australia – News – Fitzgerald set for new direction in 2011

Athletics Australia Chairman of Selectors Peter Fitzgerald has announced he will step down from the head role on January 1 next year.

Fitzgerald, who joined the committee as Chairman of Selectors in November, 2006, will remain an active member of the selection panel.

Committee member Dion Russell will take over the role of Chair and continue alongside Fitzgerald, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Steve Moneghetti on the panel.

Athletics Australia High Performance Manager Eric Hollingsworth said Fitzgerald’s continued involvement in the committee would greatly benefit the sport.

“Peter has chaired a successful group of selectors that was responsible for the selection of the 2009 world championships team, the most successful team to represent Australia at a world championships in history, and by remaining with the group will provide valuable experience and continuity,” Hollingsworth said.

The selection committee was most recently involved in the selection of the athletics team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which brought home 20 medals from New Delhi, India.

The selection committee faces a big year in 2011, charged with the task of selecting teams to contest the IAAF world cross country championships in Punta Umbria (ESP) in March, the IAAF world youth championships in Lille (FRA) in July, the World University Games in Shenzen (CHN) in August, the IAAF world championships in Daegu (KOR) the same month, the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man in September and the Chiba Ekiden Relay in Chiba (JPN) in November in the all-important lead-up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Athletics Australia – News