(Toronto, Ontario) June 23, 2010 - The Canadian Sport Centre Ontario (CSCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of six talented and highly respected Canadians to its Board of Directors, including Chris Rudge as Chairperson. 

Rudge was the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) from January 10, 2003 until his recent retirement on April 15, 2010.  He also chaired the steering committee of Own The Podium, an initiative that contributed to Canada’s best ever team performance at an Olympic Winter Games and the most gold medals in Olympic history at a Winter Games.

“Chris brings incredible experience and knowledge of how to effectively govern a sport organization.  We are so fortunate to have his guidance as we prepare to transition to the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, a legacy of the 2015 Pan/Para Pan American Games,” said Debbie Low, President and CEO of CSCO.

Rudge replaces Doug Hamilton as Chairperson of CSCO.  Hamilton has been with the organization since its inception in 1998, and has overseen and contributed greatly to its growth.  Under Hamilton’s tenure, CSCO contributed significantly to the growth and development of programs that service Ontario athletes and coaches and subsequently impacted the Canadian sport system.  His leadership and vision have provided the new Board with an opportunity to continue to build upon this solid foundation.

In his new role as Chairperson of CSCO, Rudge will lead a talented team of Board members, including:

• Kathryn Ann Giffen, Chair of the Women’s College Hospital Board of Directors
  
• Thérèse Anne Quigley, Director of Sport & Recreation Services at the University of Western Ontario
  
• Doug Richards, a Sport Physician at the David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic
  
• Vicky Sunohara, hockey coach and 3-time Olympic medalist in hockey
  
• John Wood, founder and Chairperson of Bellweather Investment Management and an Olympic and Pan American medalist in canoeing and sailing

The new CSCO Board members bring a dynamic cross-section of skills and experience that will help the organization capitalize on strategic opportunities over the coming years.  The officers of the CSCO include: Kathryn Ann Giffen as Secretary, John Wood as Treasurer and Debbie Low as President/CEO.

In addition, it is expected that one other individual with relevant marketing and communication skills and experience will be appointed to the Board at a later date.

“On behalf of the CSCO Board of Directors, I am indebted to the former Board members for their leadership and vision.  We are excited about working with the staff, volunteers and key leaders in sport such as Sport Canada, the Ministry of Health Promotion, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Coaches Association of Canada, and Commonwealth Games Canada to build and deliver on that vision,” stated Rudge.  The 2015 Pan/Para Pan American Games provides a unique opportunity to build a world-class Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.  This will be the key legacy of these Games. 

The Canadian Sport Centre Ontario (CSCO) is committed to the pursuit of excellence by delivering programs and services to high performance athletes and coaches that enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances.  The CSCO is part of a broader network of sport centres that operate in seven cities across the country in service of high performance athletes and their coaches.

For more information please contact Debbie Low, President/CEO at 416.426.7184 or debbie@cscontario.ca