CYCLING

Cameron takes up coaching role with Cycling New Zealand

By Cycling New Zealand


Photo Credit: Getty Images


Two-time Olympian and noted coach, Brendon Cameron has today been appointed as Cycling New Zealand’s women’s endurance track cycling coach for the next six years.

Cameron takes on the fulltime role which has been filled temporarily for the past 18 months by Cycling New Zealand sports scientist Craig Palmer.

For the past six years Cameron has been responsible for establishing a high performance programme for Paralympics New Zealand and lead coach for their successful international campaigns at Paralympic Games and World Championships.

The Cambridge-based coach said the opportunity to join the burgeoning Cycling New Zealand High Performance organisation, which has won world championship titles in team sprint and team pursuit over the last 15 months, was important for his personal and professional development in a sport that has been part of his life for 30 years.

“It was a very tough decision for me because the Para-Cycling programme is something I’ve grown from the ground-up and has been a huge part of my life,” Cameron said.

“But a key part of that work has been to establish the high performance programme to provide pathways for Para-Cyclists, bring expertise into the system and to ensure a succession plan.

“There is never a perfect time for these things, but this opportunity to take up this new challenge was too good to pass.”

Cameron has a huge pedigree in the sport for the past three decades, competing in the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics in 1996 and 2000 before becoming personal coach to Sarah Ulmer culminating in her Olympic gold medal at Athens in 2004.

For the past six years under Cameron’s tutelage, the Para-Cyclists have won three Paralympic medals including one gold, 25 world championship medals including six Rainbow Jerseys and three world records. He is the only cycling coach to have personally coached gold medallists at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With the programmes of both Paralympics New Zealand and Cycling New Zealand run out of Cambridge, Cameron will continue to interact with the Para-Cycling High Performance riders and coaches through to Rio.

Cycling New Zealand are delighted to have attracted Cameron as women’s endurance coach.

“Brendon has proven himself as an outstanding coach at World and Olympic level both in Para-Cycling and able-bodied cycling,” said Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director, Mark Elliott.

“He brings a strong skill set of analysis, planning and attention to detail to our programme.”

Cameron joins a talented team that includes sprint coach Anthony Peden, the Halberg coach of the year and men’s endurance coach Tim Carswell, who guided a young team pursuit combination to world honours. They are led by head coach Dayle Cheatley.

“This is a significant appointment that we believe will position us to have one of the strongest track coaching teams in the world,” said Elliott.

“This now positions our track programme and our riders in a strong position for Rio but also sets up an incredibly strong Track coaching team to be led by Dayle Cheatley through to 2020."