November 14/17 11:31 am - Cycling Canada Hires NextGen Para-cycling Coach (West)

Posted by Editor on 11/14/17
 

Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Phil [Philippe] Abbott to the position of NextGen Para-cycling coach - West.

Working under head Para-cycling coach, Sebastien Travers, and in tandem with NextGen Para-cycling coach - East, Guillaume Plourde, Phil will head the para-cycling development program based out of Calgary, Alberta.  Abbott's main responsibilities will be to identify and develop para-cycling talent throughout the western provinces, from Manitoba to British Columbia.

No stranger to coaching para-cyclists, as well as able cyclists, Phil comes to Cycling Canada from having worked at Alberta Bicycle Association as High Performance Director for the last five years, and having worked as the high performance cycling coach at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary since 2009.

"The hiring of Phil Abbott will be a great addition to the para team. Being involved in the program with current world champion Mike Sametz, Phil will bring his experience and knowledge to the next generation of para-cyclists in Western Canada. Now that we have established two NextGen programs that will cover the whole country, we look forward to finding future Paralympic medallists," said Sebastien Travers, Head Para-cycling Coach at Cycling Canada.

The NextGen Coach - West position is made possible by partnerships between Cycling Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Alberta Cycling Association, Own the Podium and the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary.

"We are fortunate that Phil has decided to grace our para program with his presence. He will undoubtedly greatly contribute to building a stronghold of para-cycling talent out West. Over the last few years, we've seen an increase in the number of top internationally performing para-cyclists coming out of both Alberta and British Columbia. With that much talent cropping up out West, it only makes sense to have a program based out of Calgary that can better support our up-and-coming western talent pool," said Jacques Landry, Chief Technical Officer - Head Coach at Cycling Canada.

While ensuring a smooth transition between his old job as provincial performance director and his new appointment, Phil officially started in his new role on November 13th.