Athletics Canada has a new CEO
April 1 was David Bedford's first day on the job
Today is the first day on the job for Athletics Canada CEO David Bedford. Bedford has 40 years of sales, marketing and communications experience and will bring his knowledge of the sports marketing and event planning landscape to Athletics Canada. Athletics Canada said in a press release, “Bedford is a seasoned sports and entertainment executive… He has a proven track record in both amateur and professional sport, has delivered impactful programming, generated new revenue streams and built and rejuvenated brands at the local and national level.” The new CEO replaces Rob Guy, who stepped down in November 2018.
? from the senior women’s race at #WXC19 pic.twitter.com/hhZ4biri5q
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) March 30, 2019
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Bedford says his priority is to generate revenue opportunities for the organization and remove as many roadblocks for athletes as possible. “There are two different sides to it,” he told us. “I hope that we provide on the business side, and put the guideposts in place so our high-performance team can focus on the athletes and their performances. We’re looking to remove all of the obstructions we can.”
? from @Aarhus2019 #WXC19
Best ?? result of the day @lalongen finishing 20th in the senior women's race. Top North American, best ?? finish since 2004. Total gutsy effort from Gen. pic.twitter.com/z9zrzUfivJ
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) March 30, 2019
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The new CEO will also start building the organization’s new strategic plan for 2024, as their plan to 2020 is ending soon. In terms of events that Athletics Canada is hoping to line up, Bedford mentioned a potential bid for a World Cross-Country Championships in Victoria. “Canadians did really well on the weekend in Denmark and there were representatives from Victoria there to spectate and learn from the event.”
Bedford wants Canadian athletes to dream big. “Our goals are the remove the impediments of them realizing their dreams. ”
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