Orienteering Australia is pleased to announce that Rob Preston has been appointed Manager High Performance and Bert Elson Manager Coaching & Officiating Development from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2009.

Rob Preston has been one of Australia’s top orienteers for many years, representing Australia in World Cup races and World Junior Championships, and been a member of the Bushrangers team contesting Test matches against the NZ Pinestars. In addition to his many years experience as a competitive orienteer, Rob will bring to the job his invaluable experience in biomechanics and health sciences. He is a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and has a Masters degree in Health Science (Exercise and Sports Science), which is highly relevant to working with high performance athletes.  Rob also has a keen interest in promoting and publicising orienteering. A condition of his appointment was that he would forgo, for the period of his appointment, any aspirations to represent Australia in international competitions. He will remain living in Sydney but will make regular visits (at least monthly) to Canberra to supervise the activities of the ACTAS squad and undertake liaison responsibilities with ACTAS management and staff.  The position is equivalent to a 0.6 full time position.

Bert Elson has been a senior officer in the Tasmanian public service and a highly effective office bearer of Orienteering Tasmania.  He will bring to the job the administrative skills that are essential to managing, in consultation with the relevant OA directors and committees, the review and revision of curricula for coaching and officiating accreditation, and for arranging the course work of coaches seeking accreditation at Levels 2 and 3, and officials (controllers) seeking accreditation at Level 3.  Bert will operate from his home office in Hobart. The position is equivalent to a 0.2 full time position.