New COO for Welsh Rowing
Welsh Rowing has formally announced Will Parker as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The role, which has been supported by funding from SportWales for an initial period of two years, intends to continue the development of the organisation – driving forward its ambitions to develop a strong and vibrant rowing community in Wales.
A graduate of Sport and Exercise Science and continuing his postgraduate development at the University of Gloucestershire, Will has a range of experiences working with and for National Governing Bodies of sport, including a non-executive role as Vice-Chair and Independent Director of Baseball Softball UK, the development and delivery of elite athlete development initiatives for Hockey and Equestrianism, and volunteer leadership development for Volleyball England.
Will has also worked with the Youth Sport Trust to facilitate leadership training for Partnership Development Managers, School Sport Coordinators and Competition Managers across England. He has recently finished working on programmes such as the School Games, inclusion strategic lead for a County Sports Partnership and a National Trainer on Sport England’s Sport Makers programme.
Speaking of his appointment, Will said “I am delighted to be joining Welsh Rowing at a very important time for sport in Wales and Great Britain. It is a great opportunity and I feel very privileged to be appointed Chief Operating Officer. I’m looking forward to meeting the Rowing community in Wales and serving the Board and members to the best of my ability in the coming years”.
On the appointment of Will Parker the Chair of Welsh Rowing Steve Osborne said “We are pleased to welcome Will to Welsh Rowing. The recruitment process was very competitive with a number of high calibre candidates. In Will we feel we are gaining a manager whose professionalism, experience and enthusiasm fits with the direction in which Welsh Rowing is moving. We feel that he can continue to drive forward the programmes and successes that Welsh Rowing officers and senior volunteers have been achieving over the past few years”.
The role will formally start on the 13th of August, signalling the initial commitment of Welsh Rowing to maximise the legacy opportunities that the Olympic Games present. This period will also see additional roles advertised to ensure that Welsh Rowing can continue to produce elite rowers whilst supporting club and delivery partners across Wales.
Find out more about Welsh Rowing at www.welshrowing.com.
For more information on Will Parker visit his Linkedin profile uk.linkedin.com/in/willparkersports.
