21 September 2007

UK Athletics (UKA) today announced the appointment of Alison Wyeth as the new director for its High Performance Centre (HiPAC) at Birmingham.

Former international athlete, Wyeth joins the directors at the UKA’s three other HiPACs named earlier this summer.

The directors will play a pivotal role in the development of the centres of excellence, that offer world class support to world class athletes through coaching, physiotherapy, sports science and medical advice.

The full list of HiPAC directors is:

• Matt Favier – West London (Brunel and St Mary’s)
• Eric Shirley – North London (Lee Valley)
• Tim Jones – Loughborough
• Alison Wyeth – Birmingham

UKA has worked with the English Institute of Sport (EIS) to make significant progress in establishing the HiPACs and the world leading support services they offer.

The directors will provide strong leadership to ensure the best training environments while working with athletes, coaches and the EIS to develop staff and facilities at the centres – which support 70% of funded athletes.

Alison Wyeth takes up her new post after working for the Amateur Athletic Association and England Athletics for a total of seven years. During a distinguished career on the track, she competed at two Olympic Games, three World Championships and won 3000m bronze at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.

On her appointment she said: “As an athlete I was constantly searching for the best all round support for my development. I see the HiPACs and what they offer as fantastic opportunities to drive forward the development of athletes to world class performances and medals.

“Birmingham HiPAC has massive potential which I hope to build on over the coming years.”

Dave Collins, UKA Performance Director, said: “The directors are really important positions as we see the HiPACs as the engine rooms of our future success.

“We have taken a lot of trouble to recruit the right people and I’m very pleased to announce Alison as the director for Birmingham as she will make a significant difference to the quality of support for our World class athletes and coaches.”