OTTAWA – Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) is pleased to welcome Chris Woodcroft to our staff as WCL’s new High Performance Director (HPD).

Woodcroft, a two-time Olympian in wrestling, has an extensive background in coaching and leading in the education sector. His leadership skills and style, built on collaboration, communication and motivation, will be instrumental in creating a new plan and vision for WCL’s high performance program.

“I am both honoured and excited to be joining Wrestling Canada Lutte in the role of High Performance Director”, shared Woodcroft. “I have had the privilege of being part of the wrestling community as an athlete, coach, and convenor. Canada has an exceptional group of athletes and coaches who come from every province and territory. As we embark on the 2022 competition year an atmosphere of uncertainty prevails. I hope that my extensive leadership and wrestling experience will allow me to collaborate with you in setting a clear direction to achieve our shared renewed vision and goals. Providing an optimal learning and training environment that is safe, inclusive and challenges all athletes and coaches to reach their personal goals and the ultimate, international podium success is a shared responsibility! I look forward to meeting each of you and working alongside you to achieve these lofty goals!”

As the HPD, Woodcroft will be responsible for the leadership of WCL’s high performance program, working closely with high performance coaches and athletes, as well as performance science and HP administrative staff. This includes the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WCL’s high performance plan and associated high performance development and national team programs.

“The HPD is a critical technical leader of WCL and as we embark on the new Paris 2024 cycle, we are excited to have the opportunity to benefit from Chris’s wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a wrestler and a leader”, noted Tamara Medwidsky, Executive Director. “Even as we continue to navigate through these unprecedented times, we are well placed to continue to build the rest of the HP team in the coming months, with a laser focus on repeating podium performances at the World Championships and Olympic Games”.

Woodcroft, who is based in Hunstville, ON and will travel as required, commences his new role February 1^st and can be reached via email at: [email protected].

Please join us in welcoming Chris to his new role as HPD at Wrestling Canada Lutte.

The position is made possible through the support of the government of Canada and we thank Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Own The Podium for their ongoing partnership and collaboration.