London 2012 appoints Rowing Manager

Ann-Louise Morgan has been appointed as the London 2012 Organising Committee’s Rowing Manager for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The competition will take place at Eton Dorney in Berkshire.

Ann-Louise will oversee all aspects of the Rowing competition at Eton Dorney, which is set against the spectacular backdrop of Windsor Castle. She will provide a focal point for the International Rowing Federation (FISA) in relation to competition issues whilst ensuring that the competition is organised in accordance with FISA regulations, the IOC Charter and the Host City Contract. She will also be liaising with other LOCOG functional areas to ensure the coordinated delivery of support services, such as accreditation, transport, medical, venue operations and volunteers.

Commenting on her appointment Ann-Louise said: "I am thrilled to be taking up this position. It’s an amazing opportunity to continue working within the rowing family on the world’s greatest event and to build on experience from the previous international events held at the venue. Eton Dorney is an iconic location and has already proved itself to be a world-class Rowing venue." 

The Rowing competitions will involve 14 Olympic events, with 550 athletes, and 4 Paralympic events with 108 athletes. This will be only the second time Rowing has been in the Paralympic programme – the first being in Beijing.

Ann-Louise, who comes from Bradford, began her career at the British Universities Sports Association (1992 – 96) organising domestic and national championships across a range of sports. She worked at 1991 World Student Games, at Euro ’96, followed by 3 years at the Youth Sport Trust working on events and fundraising projects. She was employed as part of the Spectator Services Team at the 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Sydney, returning to the UK in 2001 to the role of Welcome Ceremonies Manager for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. 

She has worked within the rowing world since 2003, when she was appointed as the Event Manager for the 2005 Rowing World Cup and the 2006 World Rowing Championships, held at Eton Dorney. This was followed by a 5-month period based in Lausanne with FISA,  working with the Organising Committees for that season’s international regatta programme, including attendance at the 2007 World Junior Rowing Championships, part of the Beijing Good Luck sport event programme.  

Most recently she has worked within the Sport Department at the London 2012 Organising Committee, and went to Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoe Park to observe the Olympic and Paralympic Rowing events at the Beijing Games. She takes up her position full time later this year.

Matt Smith, Executive Director of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) said: "The appointment of Ann-Louise is perfect for us. She worked as the Event Manager for three years leading to our 2006 World Rowing Championships at Eton Dorney. She knows this venue well and all that is involved with organising a major event there. Her previous Olympic and Commonwealth Games experience puts her in an ideal position to carry out her role of LOCOG’s Rowing Manager. And her temporary role working at FISA helped everyone get to know her qualities as an organiser and a person. FISA is very pleased with this appointment and looks forward to a great Olympic regatta in 2012."

Di Ellis, Chairman of the Amateur Rowing Association, said: "Having worked with Ann-Louise at several World Rowing Events which were an outstanding success, I have every confidence that this will be repeated through the contribution she will make in the organisation of the Rowing events at the London 2012 Games. The sport will be extremely pleased to hear of Ann-Louise’s appointment and welcome the experience she brings as an Event Manager from a variety of major events and her work with the International Rowing Federation."