Paracanoe and canoe sprint coach Brendan Purcell will be leaving Paddle UK at the conclusion of the 2024 Paralympic Games.
He will take up the role as Paddle Australia’s National Performance Director, following Paris.
Brendan joined Paddle UK at the beginning of the 2023 season, initially as canoe sprint podium coach.
He also started to work with three-time Paralympic medallist Emma Wiggs in 2023.
Former head coach of the sprint programme between 2008-2012, Brendan rejoined the programme initially as a consultant before taking a full time role in 2022.
Over the last 18 months he has been working to develop a high performance community for and with senior and U23 men’s kayak paddlers and, along with Matt Lawrence, coached Emma to her 12th world title.
“I've really enjoyed my time here,” he said.
“The programme is in a place where it can be brave and recalibrate how it does things moving forward and get the pathway thriving again.
“I hope everyone understands how much I have appreciated all of the support that I've had, and the journey I've been on.
“I've really enjoyed my time here and when I went to the first world cup in Szeged last year it really felt like I was home again. I loved rowing and triathlon but this sport will always be special to me.
“I've enjoyed working with James (Train) and Matt (Lawrence) who were both athletes when I was here last so to come back and work with them both as coaches has been really rewarding.
“Matt is a leader in his field of coaching paracanoe so I've been learning from him and we've been sharing knowledge so it's great to see his and James' impact on the sport continue and it’s great to see them thriving in this environment.”
Chris Furber, Performance Director for Paddle UK, said:
“On behalf of the staff, I want to thank Brendan for his work within the sport over the last 2 years.
“He has supported a way of working that we wanted to bring to the programme by bringing paddlers together to collectively grow their understanding of what is needed to perform on the world stage.
“It is our aspiration to continue to work this way as we move into the LA cycle. Brendan has worked across both programmes and will finish his time with us by coaching at the Paris Paralympic Games.
“He has helped me immensely to develop my knowledge of the sport and he has been generous with his time and his knowledge to all staff and athletes. We wish him all the best with his new challenge.”