March 26/07 – As raised at last falls' Annual General Meeting, the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA)’s projected revenue targets were not met for the fiscal year. We therefore decided to put in place a restructuring plan to immediately address the situation in order to protect program funds for national team athletes. t

Earlier this month, three administrative staff positions at the CCA office were reduced as part of this restructuring (communications, officials, marketing). This has been followed up this week with a reduction in coaching staff. Regrettably, this has meant ending the contracts of Mountain Bike coach Michel Leblanc and Para-cycle coach Stephen Burke by the end of June.

Continued involvement of these coaches in some aspects of CCA programs, at least during a transition period, is under discussion. Details of this will be available shortly.

It is important to underline that these changes are not due to any lack of commitment or performance on the part of these coaches: the CCA is extremely grateful for the level of dedication and professionalism Michel and Stephen have demonstrated throughout their time with the national program.

With the reduction in the number of coaches, the structure for national team programs has been updated. Responsibility for Mountain bike, track, road and Para-cycle athletes is now shared between two National coaches, one based in the west and the other in the east. The intent of this change is to ensure each athlete has access to a coach and support services in his or her region of the country. Tanya Dubnicoff remains as national BMX coach.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please contact CCA High Performance Director Kris Westwood at 613-248-1353 ext. 2607, or kris.westwood@canadian-cycling.com, or CCA Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Lafrenière at 613-248-1353 ext. 2601 or lorraine.lafreniere@canadian-cycling.com.