For the second year in a row, Canadian National Rowing Team men's coach Mike Spracklen has been nominated for the international Coach of the Year Award by FISA, the international rowing federation.
"I view this nomination as recognition of the high quality of the athletes rowing here in Canada," said Spracklen, who is based in Victoria, B.C. "Credit must also go to the Canadian people who have supported and encouraged the team."
Spracklen, coach of Canada's World Champion men's eight and men's four, won the award in 2002. A native of Great Britain, Spracklen has more than 30 years experience as a coach in Britain, Canada and the U.S. He coached the Canadian men's eight to a gold at the Olympics in 1992 and was Silken Laumann's coach. He rejoined Canada's coaching staff in 2001 and has guided the men's eight to two consecutive World Championship titles (2002 and 2003).
Spracklen is part of the National Rowing Team’s world-renowned coaching staff, which also includes head coach Brian Richardson, women’s coach Al Morrow (a past Coach of the Year winner) and lightweight coach Terry Paul.
The finalists for the four annual FISA Awards (see below) were reached after nominations from members of the FISA Council, commissions and staff, and then voting by the FISA Council. The final voting will be undertaken by the FISA Executive Committee and commissions specific to the award. The recipients will be announced on October 27 and will receive their awards at the 2003 FISA Coaches’ Conference to be held in Athens, Greece from November 7 to 9.
Coach of the Year Award:
* Mike Spracklen (CAN) – Coach of the 2003 gold medal winning Canadian men's eight and the 2003 gold medal winning Canadian men's four;
* Giuseppe LaMura (ITA) – Technical Director of the Italian Rowing Federation since 1993 and coach of the famous Abbagnale brothers from 1980 to 1993;
* Bent Jensen (DEN) – Coach of the 2003 gold medal winning lightweight men's four.
Male Rower or Crew of the Year Award:
* James Tomkins and Drew Ginn (AUS) – M2- 2003 world champions;
* Elia Luini and Leonardo Pettinari (ITA) – LM2x 2003 world champions;
* Olaf Tufte (NOR)– M1x 2003 world champion.
Female Rower or Crew of the Year Award:
* Caroline Evers-Swindell and Georgina Evers-Swindell (NZL) – W2x 2003 world champions;
* Cath Bishop and Katherine Grainger (GBR) - W2- 2003 world champions;
* Kathrin Boron (GER) – W2x 2003 silver medallist
FISA Distinguished Service to Rowing Award:
* Thor Nilsen (NOR) Former chairman of the FISA competitive commission, master coach, and driving force behind the FISA development program;
* Ingrid Dieterle (GER) Retiring chairman of the FISA Youth Commission and long time member of the FISA women’s commission;
* Penny Chuter (GBR) member of the FISA Competitive Rowing Commission and former Technical Director of British International Rowing.