Squash Canada Announces New Executive Director

    OTTAWA, ON – Squash Canada, after completing an intense search, is excited to announce the hiring of Mr. DAN WOLFENDEN as the new Executive Director of the century old national sport organization, effective October 1st.

     

    OTTAWA, ON – Squash Canada, after completing an intense search, is excited to announce the hiring of Mr. DAN WOLFENDEN as the new Executive Director of the century old national sport organization, effective October 1st.

     

    “I am privileged to announce the appointment of Dan Wolfenden to lead Squash Canada into its next phase of challenge and growth.  Both our Provincial/Territorial membership and the Board of Squash Canada will jointly benefit from Dan’s wealth of experience in his successful operating of National Sports Organizations, high performance, and execution of major events.  Dan’s well aware that his honeymoon will be brief as our season is now upon us. There is plenty to accomplish and I’m highly encouraged to be able to work with Dan on our priority projects,” said Steve Wren, Acting Executive Director, Squash Canada.

    Dan graduated with a Master of Physical Education (Sport Administration) from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Physical Education, Honours (Sport Administration) from the University of Ottawa. Dan brings over 30 years of experience in sport, event and not-for profit association management with a consistent record of success in organizational leadership, strategic and operational planning, revenue generation, high performance program development, policy implementation and execution of major events at the provincial, national and international level.

    "I am very excited to take on this leadership role with Squash Canada, especially as it celebrates its 100th year of existence," said Wolfenden. "Squash has a rich and deeply rooted history in Canada and internationally. My goal is to build on that, to shed greater light on this great sport, its events and athlete heroes.  I look forward to engaging the Canadian squash community and its partners – current and future – on this important journey."

    Dan just completed a two-year tenure last month as the Senior Manager, Sport of the Toronto2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee and has returned to his home in Ottawa.  Previously, Dan was the Executive Director of Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada and Lawn Bowls Canada. In the early 90’s Dan was the High Performance Director of Skate Canada launching new programs such as the Athlete Monitoring System, Athlete Funding System and Parent Program.

    “With Dan’s extensive knowledge of the sport industry, vast experience in national programming, relationship building, governmental accountability, marketing and revenue generating strategies combined with his exemplary interpersonal and management style will allow Dan to be the pivotal leader Squash Canada and the game of squash needs in this country” said President, Lolly Gillen.  “We would also like to sincerely thank Steve Wren for volunteering his services over the past five months as our Acting Executive Director. Steve’s tireless and passionate efforts have created a solid foundation of success for Dan to springboard from.”

    In addition to this announcement, effective immediately, Steve Wren will take over Squash Canada’s Board portfolio of Vice President Technical, vacated by Patrick Ryding who stepped down from the position earlier this summer.

    Dan Wolfenden can be reached at (613) 228-7724 x 201 or dan.wolfenden@squash.ca as of October 1st.