Top coach quits for job in Canada

The coach of New Zealand’s Olympic silver medal-winning women’s pair of Rebecca Scown and Genevieve Behrent has switched allegiances to Canada.

Dave Thompson has become one of Rowing Canada’s national team coaches as the organisation goes through an overhaul following a disappointing Rio campaign with just one silver to their credit.

Thompson follows in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi Ian Wright, who left New Zealand in late 2014 to become the head coach of Swiss rowing and guided the Switzerland lightweight men’s four to gold in Rio. Wright is now the new Australian men’s head coach.

‘‘I am very pleased to have this opportunity to join Rowing Canada,’’ Thompson said.

‘‘Having coached against them, there is no question to Canada’s history as a powerhouse in big boat rowing,’’ Thompson said.

Thompson, who had been a fulltime coach at Rowing NZ for the past seven years, had also overseen the progress by the New Zealand women’s eight over recent years.

The Kiwi eight won silver at the 2015 world championships and was favoured to win a medal in Rio in their first appearance at an Olympic Games but finished fourth in the final.

Thompson’s departure comes at a time when Rowing NZ is due to announce a new women’s head coach.

‘‘We are disappointed to lose a successful and dedicated coach but respect the opportunity provided to Dave early in this Olympic cycle,’’ said Rowing NZ chief executive Simon Peterson.

The organisation is also seeking expressions of interest for an independent selector for each of its elite and under-23 selection panels.

The successful applicant will work alongside one of the two head coaches as part of the selection panel with a four-year term of office through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games.