British Olympian Tom Squires joins NSW State coaching team

Tom Squires of Team Great Britain competes during the Men's RS:X windsurfing class on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Enoshima Yacht Harbour on July 31, 2021 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan © Clive Mason / Getty Images

British Olympian Tom Squires is the latest big name to join the Australian Sailing Performance Pathways team, signing on to become the NSW State Coach - Foiling.

Squires will be focusing on work with iQFOiL and Formula Kite sailors, as Australia looks to develop a pipeline of future champions in the fledgling Olympic classes.

The role is the manifestation of the ongoing partnership between Australian Sailing and the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS), as the two organisations work together to build the program and align it to Australian Sailing's High Performance strategy.

"I have always admired the way Australians sail, and particularly the strong development and support set-up provided to their emerging sailors," said Squires at the announcement.

"I have seen some great athletes come out of Australia, and I am looking forward to doing my part within the new classes (iQFOiL and Kite Foiling) and AS Performance Pathways to support the retention of that legacy," said Squires at the announcement.

"I am delighted to join the Australian Sailing Performance Pathways team to work with those young sailors at an incredibly exciting time. I know my experience coming through the British system and being a part of that high-performing team will be something I can share with our sailors to help them on their own journey."

Tom Squires - photo © Australian Sailing

The NSW State Coaching Team now presents huge opportunities for developing sailors in the state, with Squires joining Haylee Outteridge (Performance Pathways State Manager - NSW) and Traks Gordon (NSW Lead Double-handed Coach) in the Performance Pathways State Coaching line-up.

The set-up for Emerging and Developing athletes in the state program also includes a world-class performance support team of practitioners, delivered through the strong partnership with NSWIS.

"It's really exciting to have Tom join our NSW Performance Pathways team," said Outteridge. "His experience, talent and enthusiasm are invaluable to the program and I'm looking forward to working with him in the development of our NSWIS athletes.

"There has been momentum building in NSW Pathways and as we now put the final pieces in place, the team is feeling motivated and ready to get to work."

Squires was a member of Britain's hugely successful Tokyo Olympic sailing team, where he finished seventh in the RS:X Men's Windsurfing class. He progressed through the UK's Junior and Youth racing pathway program before graduating to the British Sailing's Team's Youth Squad System.

Since Tokyo he has been coaching national youth iQFOiL sailors, but has now made the move to Australia in order to pursue his career as a full-time coach.

"We are delighted to announce the addition of Tom to the program and have him as part of the performance pathways area of high-performance and Australian Sailing," said Australian Sailing Performance Pathways Manager Ken Lynch. "The coach and support set up in NSW is now in a great position to have significant positive impact on our programs and the people we work with."

"NSWIS continues to invest in the development of expert coaches to support Australian athletes to become world's best," said B-J Mather, NSWIS Director of High Performance.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to fund this opportunity in collaboration with Australian Sailing and continue to build upon a great partnership in the sport."

Squires will work to build depth in the new foiling classes and support the national Performance Pathways program alongside current iQFOiL and Kitefoil coaches in better developing athletes capable of future success.

Australian Sailing encourages athletes, coaches and parents to connect with the team as they embark on their new roles with the organisation.