Summer Sports Executive of the Year

In sport leagues across the continent executives, writers, coaches and athletes vote on who they would select as their executive of the year across a cross section of sports. The award is an informal one - but no less recognizes excellence on the field of play and as well at the administrative level through organization and franchise success.


Unfortunately within Canada's amateur sports system there isn't such a recognition but what if there was? Who would be Canada's Summer Olympic Executive of the Past Decade?
My nominees are:


Phil Moncton: V.P Technical of Rowing Canada. Phil was elected to the post in 2004 following a disastrous Olympic Games in which Rowing Canada failed to meet expectations. Faced with tough decisions - Moncton severed ties with long time Rowing Canada employees Alan Roaf in 2006 and Laryssa Biesenthal in 2008. In addition, Moncton took a hands on approach in his handling of athlete concerns as exemplified by his decision to have Al Morrow oversee Canada's Lightweight Woman's Program in the winter of 2008. Following the 2008 Olympic Games where Rowing Canada won 4 Olympic medals - Moncton stepped back from matters with the hiring of Peter Cookson but no question - Moncton remains instrumental in the success of the organization today.


Pierre Lafontaine - CEO - Swim Canada - Following the 2004 Olympic Games where Canada's Swim Program nearly imploded - Lafontaine was hired to change the culture in the sport. A Canadian who had worked at the Australian Institue of Sport four years prior to his arrival in Canada - Lafontaine brought real leadership and a sense of a "Can Win" Attitude into the program. The impact was immediate. Today, Canadian Swimmers are a force on the international scene - and what seemed like a pipe dream some four years ago are now breaking world records. The hope is for three Olympic medals in London 2012. Ask Lafontaine and that estimate seems low.


Kevin Tyler - Former Director of the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre (CACC) at the U of A - Despite the mess within Athletics Canada - Tyler was a shining light. Focusing on Coaching Education Programs, and encouraging participation and excellence in athletics, Tyler amassed a collection of world class athletes that would make the United States Track & Field Association proud; athletes training in Edmonton under Tyler included including Tyler Christopher, Adam Kunkel, Carline Muir, Brian Barnett. Unfortunately for Athletics Canada - Tyler is now working with UK Athletics.



Danek Nowosielski - HP Director Fencing - What? This may be the first thing one would think as a Canadian has never won an Olympic medal in the sport. However, consider that entering this decade a Canadian had never won a World Championship medal in the sport. Today, Canadian athletes have won three medals at World Championships. Furthermore, the junior program is improving, funding for the sport has nearly doubled in the past five years and the sport has a long term plan to win medals at future Olympiads. Add to all this, the passion of a man who is willing to make a phone call in the middle of the day to disput information that is posted on this very blog - this nomination is well earned.



And the winner is



Anne Merklinger - Former CEO of Canoe/Kayak Canada - Improved coaching, increased participation, enhanced corporate sponsorship, more clubs and Canada's most succesful Summer Olympic Sport over the past three Olympiads. Merlinger is this decade's Summer Olympic Sport's Executive of the Decade.