Nam Baldwin Announced As Surfing Australia Elite Performance Specialist Heading Towards 2020 Olympics
COOLANGATTA/QLD (Nov 28th/2017): Surfing Australia is excited to announce highly experienced peak performance expert Nam Baldwin has accepted the role of Surfing Australia Elite Performance Specialist as the organisation ramps up Olympic preparations heading towards Tokyo 2020.
Baldwin has worked with some of surfing’s biggest names including Mick Fanning & Stephanie Gilmore, along with Winter Sport Olympian and World Champion Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, legendary Aussie Tennis star Pat Rafter and Australian Olympic Sprint Canoe athletes.
Three-time World Surf League (WSL) world champion Fanning has worked with Baldwin on multiple occasions over the past decade and was excited to hear the news.
“I have really enjoyed training one on one with Nam for the last 5 years. He’s very open and tuned into what each individual athlete needs. I feel he will bring a lot of energy and excitement for the athletes and really push them in ways to help them grow,” said Fanning.
This important appointment to the Surfing Australia High Performance program compliments the recent appointments of Bede Durbidge Elite Program Manager and Kim Crane as National High Performance Director.
Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said “the appointment of Nam Baldwin to the position of Elite Performance Specialist at Surfing Australia further cements our commitment to our Olympic campaign. Nam has the respect and credibility of the elite athletes and the proven results to ensure that our elite Australian surfers are well serviced and prepared for the Olympic games and for the World Tour. Nam knows the significant importance in training athletes to perform under immense pressure and we look forward to working alongside him and our Olympic squad as we strive to achieve the first ever Olympic surfing medals in Tokyo 2020.
Baldwin is ready and raring to go in his new role, saying “It’s a great honour to be a part of this journey, assisting a team of such amazing talent to be the best version of themselves. Together we will foster ways of working that will allow each athlete and their support staff to grow their skill sets, their character and embrace teamwork. With these 3 attributes, we will create the best cohesion and environment to work through challenges and most importantly have so much enjoyment and fun in the process. My goal is to bring out the best in everyone when it counts, that’s high performance, and what will be required in Tokyo.”
Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Director, Kim Crane says “Our elite athletes are performing at a world class level on the international stage, and we need to consider carefully what’s going to have the greatest performance impact moving forward as we incorporate an Olympic Campaign into our objectives. We are stoked to have Nam on board with our Elite Program, as we know putting the right people into the right roles is the biggest challenge in what is a competitive high performance landscape. Nam has trust and credibility within our sport, and he believes in our purpose which is to support our athletes to become the world’s best surfers and people. I’m genuinely excited about the contribution Nam is going to make to our High Performance Program.”
Coinciding with Baldwin’s appointment comes the announcement that twenty-six athletes along with their coaches have been invited to attend an initial Olympic Readiness Camp from January 23rd-25th 2018 at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC). The camp, facilitated by Baldwin, is an important event as it brings together Australia’s top athletes deemed most likely to be in contention for Tokyo for planning and education, testing, contested surf sessions and the establishment of what will be a Team Australia culture.
Surfing Australia has appointed a National Selection Panel with a wealth of experience and knowledge to work with Elite Program Manager Bede Durbidge over the course of the Olympic Cycle. The National Selection Panel includes 7 x World Champion Layne Beachley, 4 x World Champion Mark Richards, ex WSL surfer and Talent Pathway Coach Kate Wilcomes and 3 x World Champion Mick Fanning. Off the back of this camp a 2018 National Squad will be announced in February.
Surfing Australia Elite Program Manager Bede Durbidge said “When I heard the news Nam was coming onboard with the HPC and the Olympic Campaign I was so pumped. Someone of Nam’s calibre to have in the corner of the athletes is just incredible.”
“He has worked with so many world class athletes over the years and got them to live out their dreams. He has real gift of getting the best out of a person and I can’t wait to work with him on this journey with the athletes and their coaches.”
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