Dear Members of the Climbing Community,
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the official departure of Andrew Wilson, our High Performance Director, from Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC). After 5 years of dedicated service as a full-time employee, Andrew has decided to move on to pursue new opportunities.
During his tenure as High Performance Director, Andrew Wilson not only demonstrated unwavering dedication to his role but also built strong, meaningful relationships with our athletes, local coaches, and provincial sports organizations. His ability to connect and collaborate with individuals across the climbing community has had a great positive impact on CEC.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Andrew for his vital contributions in shaping our high performance program. His well-researched, scientific approach to athlete development has been instrumental in allowing Canadian climbers to achieve new heights, ensuring that each athlete receives the guidance, support, and resources they need to flourish. Moreover, Andrew’s work in developing CEC policies has provided a solid foundation for our organization’s growth and success.
With Andrew’s support, CEC athletes have achieved remarkable milestones. His guidance has contributed to medal performances on the world stage, notably in World Cup events and World Championships. Andrew also played an integral role in helping our climbers qualify and compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“As I depart from CEC and embark on the next adventure of my career, I will remember the people that have made the last 30 years so special for me. Sport is ultimately about relationships and shared experiences. The athletes, coaches, parents, officials, sport system partners, and CEC staff and Board are the reason I was able to stay in the sport for so long. I will miss you all and wish you the best in the future.
The beauty and challenge of coaching is that each athlete is unique. It is not formulaic; one size does not fit all. Prioritizing the person ahead of the performance ensures a lasting reward that is ignorant of results. It is in these relationships that the true value of sport is found.” -Andrew Wilson
Andrew’s impact and contributions will continue to guide us in the years to come. On behalf of the CEC and the Canadian climbing community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Andrew for his incredible contributions, his unwavering dedication, and the enduring relationships he has fostered. We wish him the very best as he embarks on new pathways, confident that he will continue to make a positive impact wherever he goes.
Thank you, Andrew, for your years of exceptional service and dedication.
Next Steps
CEC will now take time to conduct extensive reviews of its High Performance Program and Human Resources Structure. A search for a Strategic Consultant will begin shortly, with the goal of consulting our community and stakeholders in designing a program that supports our high performing athletes to the extent of their needs. This consultation and review will take place through the Fall of 2023. Our Executive Director, Christiane Marceau, along with our National Coaches and High Performance Committee, will continue to support Team Canada and its athletes on their journeys to success on the world stage.
