British Orienteering can today confirm that Bernie Dietzig has been appointed to the role of Performance Pathway Director at British Orienteering.

Peter Hart, Chief Executive, said “Bernie was a standout candidate, and we are looking forward to welcoming from early February. It is clear that he understands the challenges ahead ones which will call for strategic thinking, but also the flexibility of approach”.

At British Swimming, Bernie led the programme to prepare and support the Olympic Team at three Olympic Games.

Bernie said: “I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with British Orienteering. Orienteering clearly poses a new challenge for me but my time working over three Olympic cycles with British Swimming along with several years working with a number of other sports has given me invaluable experience and should place me well for this new position.

“I am excited to work with a highly motivated group of athletes and coaches. I look forward to building on the high-performance culture at British Orienteering and to help the athletes to fulfil their potential.”

He also paid “tribute to the athlete panel who were part of his selection process. That was the moment when I knew I wanted this role. They are such an articulate and engaging group with a significant desire to succeed.”

Bernie will need time initially to get to understand the environment and the sport but for him, it is all about empowering the people on the frontline. The people who know the sport to be the best that they can be.

Bernie went on to say “I'm excited about my new challenge at British Orienteering”

Peter Hart CEO said “We look forward to embedding Bernie into the sport and I would like to thank Paul Murgatroyd for his leadership during the transitional period and for his leadership of the Talent and Junior Programme over many years which resulted in the Junior programme in producing the most successful results ever at the World Junior Championships in 2019.