Commonwealth Games Canada in partnership with AthletesCAN and Coaches of Canada Appoints Team Ombudsperson for 2010 Delhi Games
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, July 22 2010 – Commonwealth Games Canada in partnership with AthletesCAN and Coaches of Canada announced today the appointment of Rachel Corbett as Team Ombudsperson for the XIX Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi, India, from October 3 to 14, 2010. She will be responsible for helping to resolve disputes and advocating on behalf of Canadian athletes, coaches and Mission Staff at the Games.
“I am excited to see the natural evolution of this position broadened beyond advocacy solely for athletes – I will be available to support the entire team,” said Ms. Corbett. “No team member will be stranded without representation or advice in a dispute situation.”
Ms. Corbett is a Co-Founder of the Centre for Sport and Law, created in 1992 as the first organization in Canada to offer legal services exclusively to sport leaders and administrators. A trained mediator and arbitrator, she is an experienced dispute resolution professional who has served as an investigator, administrator and adjudicator in many sport-related disputes over nearly two decades.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth Games Canada leadership team and our partners, we’re thrilled to welcome Rachel Corbett to the team,” said Martha Deacon, Chef de Mission for Team Canada 2010. “I have experienced Rachel's expertise and competence firsthand as she has contributed to many national sport federations. We are certain that she will provide the same invaluable support to our world-class athletes, coaches and support staff.”
Commonwealth Games Canada partners AthletesCAN and Coaches of Canada facilitated Ms. Corbett’s appointment.
“AthletesCAN was pleased to lead the management and selection of the Team Ombudsperson. They are an essential part of a successful team,” said Jasmine Northcott, Executive Director of AthletesCAN. “Athletes need to know they have someone onsite who they can turn to for assistance and who will represent their voice.”
“We’re pleased Canadian coaches will have someone on the ground in Delhi who has the expertise to deal quickly and efficiently should any situation arise,” said Wayne Parro, Executive Director of Coaches of Canada. “We’ve covered all of our bases in selecting someone who is able to act on behalf of coaches and support staff, in addition to the athletes.”
The Games will feature more than 4,000 world-class athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories, competing in 19 different sports. Canada, which finished third overall at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia, will send a highly competitive team of about 400 athletes, coaches, and volunteers.
About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth, by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.
About AthletesCAN
As the voice of Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.
About Coaches of Canada
Coaches of Canada is the national organization that represents the profession of coaching in Canada. The organization’s mission is to advance the profession of coaching and to advance the contribution that coaches make to individuals, teams, communities and society. We are a member-driven organization, and our members are coaches who represent all sports, both professional and amateur.
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For more information, please contact:
Rachel Corbett
Centre for Sport and Law
(647) 348-3080
rmc@sportlaw.ca
Scott Stevenson
Director of Sport
Commonwealth Games Association of Canada Communications
(613) 244-6868 x 224
scott@commonwealthgames.ca
Jasmine Northcott
Executive Director
Athletes CAN
(613) 526-4025
jnorthcott@athletescan.com
Wayne Parro
Executive Director
Coaches of Canada
(416) 426-7023
wayneparro@coachesofcanada.com
