Highly-successful former Australian Cricket Coach and Sports Wizard® Head of Cricket, John Buchanan, has been announced as the man to chair an independent review of athletics in Australia after a disappointing Commonwealth Games performance in Glasgow.
The ill-fated Glasgow Commonwealth Games campaign was the catalyst for two reviews into the sport – a wide-ranging one instituted by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and a separate internal investigation.
The task is no small one, but with Buchanan’s extensive experience and ongoing success, his knowledge and practical experience is sure to prove a strong asset to the ASC and the whole of Australia’s athletic landscape.
See full story below.
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Former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan will chair an independent review of athletics in Australia after a disappointing Commonwealth Games performance in Glasgow.
The announcement of the review comes shortly after banished Athletics Australia head coach Eric Hollingsworth resigned from his position, following a tumultuous Commonwealth Games in which he strongly criticised star hurdler Sally Pearson in a media release.
The independent review, announced by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) on Thursday, will focus on issues including the stagnation of junior participation levels, the performance of governance and administration of the sport at all levels and attracting greater commercial interest.
Athletics Australia launched its own review into the sport’s Commonwealth Games performance in August, but is supportive of this further action being undertaken.
ASC chairman John Wylie stated the review would have to address “systemic issues” facing the sport, while offering a ringing endorsement for Buchanan.
“While there were some fantastic performances at the recent Commonwealth Games, there are a number of systemic issues facing athletics across high performance, governance and participation that warrant an independent review,” Wylie said.
“John Buchanan is eminently qualified to lead this work having held a variety of roles in international cricket, most notably as the incredibly successful Australian national team coach between 1999 and 2007.
“During his career, he has forged a reputation for being innovative, thorough in his preparation, consultative in style and driven to succeed. His ability to work with all of the sport’s stakeholders will be critical in ensuring the review identifies solutions for the long term future of the sport.”
Buchanan paid tribute to the Athletics Australia’s grassroots programs while expressing his excitement for the project.
“I’m looking forward to working with all stakeholders in athletics to identify the best future pathway in the sport,” Buchanan said.
“In particular, I have a lot of respect for Little Athletics and the value of its brand and look forward to working with the organisation.”
The review panel will also include former star athlete Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Victorian Treasury official Dr Lynne Williams, junior national runner Mark Bartels and Australian Institute of Sport director Matt Favier.
The panel will report to the ASC with its findings by the end of 2014.
This story first appeared on Yahoo7 Sport, titled ‘Australian Sports Commission elects John Buchanan to head independent review into Australian athletics‘, on 4 September, 2014.
