PRIMEAU IS SCOTLAND'S NEW ATHLETICS HEAD COACH

In the countdown to London 2012 and Glasgow 2014, the new post of scottishathletics' Head Coach, jointly funded by UKA and sportscotland, will be filled by Laurier Primeau from Vancouver, Canada.

The 37-year-old former international decathlete is currently the Canadian National Team Coach for jumps, combined events and relays. He is Head Coach at Vancouver Thunderbirds Track and Field Club, Assistant Track and Field Coach at the University of British Columbia, Competitions Director of the Harry Jerome IAAF Permit Meeting in Vancouver and Head of Cross Country/Track and Field at St George's School Vancouver.  His technical knowledge across a range of events is impressive, along with his experience of sports medicine and support science and this will be vital in his ability to add value to existing coach and athlete teams.

Laurier will commence in post on 1 November, having been introduced to the 400 coaches at the International Festival of Athletics Coaching in Glasgow over the preceding two days. His first twelve months in post, through to the Delhi Commonwealth Games, will be a transitional period, as family matters require his periodic return to Canada before their relocation.

"I look forward to starting my new role as Head Coach at scottishathletics," he said. "There is a great tradition for the sport in Scotland but also a fantastic opportunity for the future of track and field here. Coaches such as Frank Dick and Tommy Boyle are famous the world over for producing incredible talent and athletes like Allan Wells and Liz McColgan have provided Scotland with a rich history. I am excited by the prospect of working with the coaches and athletes who are the present and future of athletics in Scotland."

Commenting on the appointment, scottishathletics Chief Executive, Geoff Wightman said: "Laurier has experience of the sport at a high level and has the coaching credentials that will enable him to support Scotland's athlete and coach pairing to achieve our sport's potential especially at Olympic and Commonwealth level. This is a major appointment for scottishathletics and supports our main strategic goal which is to improve the level of medal success our athletes achieve on the international stage."

Mike Whittingham, sportscotland's Director of High Performance & SIS added: "This is a really exciting opportunity for the new Head Coach of scottishathletics to drive forward the sport and maximise the opportunities presented by Glasgow 2014. As strategic partner and a major investor in scottishathletics, we all look forward to working with Laurier and providing the best possible support, through the high performance expertise at the institute."