2010-11 NEWS RELEASES

University of Ontario Institute of Technology
NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Beresford named Ridgebacks rowing head coach

OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) athletic department is proud to announce that Caitlin Beresford has been named the new head coach of the Ridgebacks varsity rowing program.

"Excited is an understatement when it comes to Caitlin Beresford," says athletic director Ken Babcock. "Caitlin's extensive educational background in the sport of rowing, and her experience at the varsity level made selecting her as head coach of UOIT an easy decision. We are thrilled to have her as part of our ever growing team and look forward to the intensity she brings to our rowing program."

Beresford attended the University of Western Ontario where she was a member of the varsity rowing program. Due to injuries, Beresford was forced off the water after only two seasons, but was inspired to begin her coaching career. She coached the women's novice team during her third and fourth year at Western, and led the Mustang's to the developmental championship gold medal at the OUA Championship Regatta in her final season. After taking a year off upon graduation, Beresford went back to school and attended the University of Victoria for her Master of Arts degree.

She has been a member of rowing clubs, teams and jobs for a number of years. During her time attending Western, she spent her summers working at the Orillia Rowing Club as the assistant boathouse manager and competitive coach. This job required her to carry out Learn to Row programs, but also to create training and racing plans for a variety of competitive crews.  Also working out of the Kingston Rowing Club as the boathouse manager, she was in charge of recruitment of new members, the marketing and advertising of the club as well as coaching and leading instruction crews.

Additional qualifications for Beresford include her certification from the Ontario Coaching Association in level 1 and 2 of multi sport and also her level 1 and 2 technical coach's certification. She is also fully qualified in First Aid and CPR. In 2005, Beresford was named to the Dean's Honours List for social science.

Beresford takes over for Rob Millikin, who recently retired after coaching the team for the first four years of the program.

The Ridgebacks are thrilled to welcome Beresford to the athletic department and are excited to see the positive attributes she brings to the team further develop the program.

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College & UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca