Organisers of the 2010 Rowing World Championships at Lake Karapiro have announced a series of key appointments as the event draws closer.
Chris Johnson - who has extensive expertise in rowing course management - joins the organising committee as Venue Director. He will be working alongside CEO Tom Mayo and another new appointee, David Holland - who has joined the team as Venue Construction Manager.
Lee Spear, one of only two FISA qualified umpires in New Zealand, is appointed as Competition Director. He will be responsible for the delivery and running of the on-water regatta.
Every rowing world championship now includes events for adaptive athletes and the Karapiro 2010 event will be no different. Karen Rickerby, who is developing this area of the sport in New Zealand with a pioneering programme based in Christchurch, joins the team as Adaptive Coordinator.
Karina Weaver joins the organising team as Services Director - responsible for transport, logistics and teams was previously Operations Director for the V8's.
Finally, Rowing New Zealand's press officer Richard Gee has also been confirmed as the Media and Communications Manager in the build up to the event. He will be responsible for developing domestic and international press coverage as the event draws closer, and advising on media requirements at the event.
"These are key appointments at this stage for the Rowing World Championships," explained CEO Tom Mayo. "We may be two years out from the event, but it is vital to put all of these positions in place now to ensure we meet our target of staging the best ever World Rowing Championships."
The event recently launched a new brand and identity and plans a complete overhaul of its web site - www.wrch2010.com - early in the New Year.