The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association is pleased to announce that Jennifer Larson has been named Executive Director of the association. Her appointment is effective November 1st. "Ms. Larson brings with her a wealth of experience with our organization. She has spent a long time developing the knowledge and skills that will ensure CCPSA's continued success. Ms. Larson started volunteering with us when she was a student, she then became a member of our Board of Directors and finally moved to a staff position a few years ago. We are very pleased to have been able to be a part of her career development and to be working with her in her new capacity as our Executive Director", says Sandy Hermiston, President of CCPSA.
"I'm very excited to take on this new opportunity within CCPSA", said Ms Larson. "I appreciate the trust that the National Council has placed in me and I look forward to continuing to serve CCPSA in my new role. The next few years will be exciting and challenging ones for CCPSA, as we implement our new strategic plan and carve out our place in the changing Canadian sport system."
Ms Larson has worked for CCPSA for the past four years as the Program Director. In this position, she was instrumental in helping Canadian boccia athletes receive carding. She was instrumental in creating Ready to Play, a program that introduces boccia to new players, coaches and officials. She was also the main liaison with the Canadian Soccer Association for the cerebral palsy soccer program, and was part of the committee that developed the new governance model for CCPSA. Ms. Larson was a member of the committee that developed the Long Term Athlete Development Model for boccia, and has been integrally involved in the redesign of the CCPSA's coach and referee education programs.
Prior to working full time for CCPSA, Ms Larson was a member of the Board of Directors from 2001 to 2004. She has also been an international boccia referee since 1993 and most recently was a member of the mission staff at the Paralympic Games in Beijing. She has more than 15 years of experience volunteering and working in sport for people with disabilities.
