British Athletics is undergoing a new performance structure in preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Performance Director Neil Black today announced the first of three new appointments, which will replace the Olympic Head Coach Role within the Performance Programme.
The first appointment sees Barry Fudge, the current lead of Sport Science, named as Head of Endurance. Fudge, who was a key player behind Mo Farah’s World and Olympic gold medals, will oversee the entire of the British Athletics endurance programme.
Black said: “Barry is a world renowned expert in developing endurance programmes, most recently as a key part of the team around Mo Farah. In discussing the way forward for endurance with the Endurance Advisory Panel, Barry received unanimous support as the individual with precisely the skill set to work alongside both coaches and athletes to add value and accelerate progress.”
The programme which Fudge will oversee aims to allow British coaches to develop their skills alongside some of the world’s best coaches and coaching set ups. However, the programme is directed only at key coach-athlete pairings who have potential for podium success at a global level.
The programme will look to draw on knowledge and expertise from Alberto Salazar, Mo Farah’s coach who is based in Portland, USA, at the Nike Oregon Project. Coach-athlete pairings will be assisted with travelling to Portland to learn and develop coaching skills and practices.
Furthermore, the programme will provide advice on maximising the impact of altitude training and also provide mentoring and guidance for athletes. Advisors will include Marathon World Record Holder Paula Radcliffe.
Opportunities for British coaches will be created through funded, development coaching positions and through athlete-based support packages. Rob Denmark and Jon Bigg, coaches to Jess Judd and Charlie Grice, have recently been given contracted coaching positions on the development programme and will be among the first to benefit from the new performance structure.
Fudge seems to be looking forward to his new role, saying: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take the work we have done with Mo and use those learnings across a number of other coach-athlete pairings.”
“We will have the benefit of working alongside some of the most talented endurance coaches in the world, but I am also excited about the opportunities this brings to home grown coaching talent”
He also reiterated the aim of the programme: “The aim will be to offer the best possible input and support to our top medal hopes whilst working alongside our developing coach and athlete talent to bridge that gap toward podium performances.”
British Athletics say that information regarding the remaining positions, heading sprints and throws/jumps/combined events, will be announced in the New Year.
