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Experienced leader to helm Paralympic program

News –

Swimming Canada is pleased to welcome Wayne Lomas as the new Associate High Performance Director and a National Para-swimming Coach.

Lomas joins the high performance leadership team from Swimming Australia, where he has worked since 2010, most recently as Executive Manager – High Performance. In that role he served as Team Leader for Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where the Aussies won 10 medals, including three gold. He was also accountable for the Paralympic team that won 29 medals – nine gold – and for the development of the organization’s 2017-2020 Strategic High Performance Plan. He was instrumental in the establishment of the powerful University of Sunshine Coast program, home to many successful Australian Para-swimmers.

His other Team Leader and Team Manager roles include World University Games, and Commonwealth Games, and multiple FINA World Championships. He has worked at the club, state, state academy and National level as an administrator, educator and coach, including 11 years as Development Manager with Swimming Queensland.

“We are looking forward to Wayne joining our team. Swimming Canada has had a tremendous history in Para-swimming and is recognized as a global leader in high performance swimming for swimmers with a disability.” said Swimming Canada CEO Ahmed El-Awadi. “Adding Wayne to our high performance team will help us pursue our goal to remain one of the best Para-swimming nations in the world. Wayne’s vision and leadership will be a great complement to the great coaches, athletes and staff in our system.”

Lomas will begin the new position June 1, reporting to High Performance Director and National Coach John Atkinson. He will lead all aspects of the Paralympic program and serve as team leader for all major international Para-swimming teams.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to join John and his team,” Lomas said. “Canada has a proud swimming heritage that I am excited at the chance to contribute to. I grew up watching the amazing feats of Alex Baumann and the late great Victor Davis. Canadian Para-swimming also has a strong history, with stars like Aurelie Rivard building on the legacy of champions such as Benoit Huot and others. I am looking forward to being part of something very exciting that is happening in Canada”

“It’s a great honour and privilege to take on such a critical role at such an exciting time, both for Swimming Canada, and more specifically, for Para-swimming; Internationally, Para-swimming is increasing in profile and professionalism – and I hope that my experience can help Canadian swimmers and their coaches on the journey to Tokyo, Paris and beyond;

Lomas believes coaches play a key role in leading a performance culture in the daily training environment.

“It’s what happens day-to-day on the pool decks that will make the difference,” Lomas said. “I’m looking to meet as many people as I can. I want to find out what works and what we at Swimming Canada can do to maximize the talent and commitment of swimmers, their parents and coaches who all aspire toward a dream of podium level performances for Canada. Our role is to facilitate that dream, surround the talent with the support that makes a difference and remove barriers to success.”