U.S. Biathlon Announces Women’s Coaching Initiative

Midway, UT – U.S. Biathlon announced today the implementation of its Women’s Coaching Initiative, designed to increase the number, experience and visibility of female biathlon coaches in the U.S. and internationally and inspire future generations of female coaches and athletes. This new initiative, building on the coaching apprenticeship opportunities available over the past several years, will provide formal mentorship and professional development opportunities for female coaches from all Nordic backgrounds to gain biathlon coaching experience across all levels.

The U.S. Biathlon Women’s Coaching Initiative will provide female coaches from all Nordic backgrounds – biathlon AND cross-country coaches, wax technicians and former athletes – with opportunities throughout the season to integrate with U.S. Biathlon staff and teams on the ground at domestic and international U.S. Biathlon and IBU events.

“It is critical that we keep pushing to include more women in staff and support roles at the highest level of racing,” said Kelsey Dickinson, U.S. Biathlon Board Athlete Representative and current U.S. Biathlon Senior National Team athlete. “Having more women coaches will help raise the bar for everyone because a diversity of backgrounds and experience on staff allow a team to be more dynamic. Not only is this good for performance, but increasing the number of women in coaching roles will add to a safe and professional atmosphere for everyone.”

This career development opportunity is designed to help women with a serious interest in a career in coaching/biathlon improve their skills and learn from the best U.S. Biathlon coaches, wax technicians and support staff. Participants will work with U.S. Biathlon team staff to carry out diverse duties dependent upon experience levels, interests and current team requirements.

“We are very excited to introduce this program that will encourage and support more women becoming biathlon coaches, which is critical to an inclusive and vibrant sport,” said U.S. Biathlon President & CEO Jack Gierhart. “Our goal is to provide professional development opportunities for women at all levels, along with flexibility that will lower barriers to participating.”

The Women’s Coaching Initiative Selection Panel, composed of female coaches, athlete representatives and U.S. Biathlon staff, will review each applicant. Applications are due May 29, 2024, by 5pm ET and selected applicants will be announced by June 5, 2024.

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Women’s Coaching Initiative Selection Panel

Eileen Carey, U.S. Paralympic Nordic Program Director and Women’s Ski Coaches Board Member
Kelsey Dickinson, U.S. Biathlon Athlete Representative & World Cup Athlete, and Women’s Ski Coaches Executive Director
Kristen Bourne, U.S. Ski and Snowboard XC D-Team Coach
Lowell Bailey, U.S. Biathlon Director of High Performance, World Champion, Olympian
Margie Freed, U.S. Biathlon and U.S. Ski Team World Cup Athlete
Tim Burke, U.S. Biathlon Director of Athlete Development, Olympian, World Championships Medalist

About U.S. Biathlon

As the Olympic sports organization centered around the sport of biathlon, the United States Biathlon Association, known as U.S. Biathlon, is recognized by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as the national federation for biathlon in the United States. Founded in 1980, U.S. Biathlon exists to support and encourage the development of biathlon in the United States, to work with biathlon clubs and regional centers around the country to organize training and competition from the grassroots to elite level, and to prepare athletes for international competition. U.S. Biathlon staffs and finances the U.S. Biathlon national and junior national teams and is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit usbiathlon.org.

U.S. Biathlon Media Contact

Sara Donatello

saradonatello@usbiathlon.org

+1 (518) 524-5354