British Cycling has today confirmed the appointment of Doctor Nigel Jones as the head of medical services for the Great Britain Cycling Team.
Dr Jones, who is currently a consultant in sport and exercise medicine at Spire Liverpool Hospital, will begin the role on 1 September and will take responsibility for the strategy, function and integrity of the British Cycling medical services team to ensure a world-class medical provision is developed and delivered across the Olympic and Paralympic programmes.
In April 2017, British Cycling commissioned Dr Rod Jacques, English Institute of Sport’s (EIS) director of medical services, to assess the current practices and compliance with professional standards across the medical and physiotherapy services. The recommendations included the introduction of the role of head of medical services. This new role, along with the appointment of a medical coordinator - the recruitment process for which will begin imminently - forms part of a wide ranging series of reforms which aims to transform British Cycling into a leader amongst sports governing bodies.
Speaking of the new appointment, performance director Stephen Park said: “I am delighted we have been able to appoint someone of Dr Nigel Jones’ calibre as the head of medical services and I believe he will be an invaluable addition to the medical services team, which he will take responsibility for leading.
“Nigel has extensive experience in working with elite sports teams and we were impressed by the modern approach he takes to sports medicine. Athlete well-being is at the heart of the Great Britain Cycling Team, and Nigel has proven he has the clinical, managerial and leadership skills necessary to continue moving this forward.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Clint Gomes from the English Institute of Sport for stepping in and fulfilling this role on a temporary basis whilst the recruitment process took place.”
Dr Jones, who has a wealth of experience working in performance environments including the RFU and Liverpool FC, said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the head of medical services for the Great Britain Cycling Team.
“My personal aim is to make a significant contribution to the care of the riders. I’m looking forward to working alongside the current members of the medical services team and supporting the wider performance team.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to join Britain’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic team in the build up to Tokyo 2020 and beyond, and I’m looking forward to playing a part in supporting the riders on this journey.”
Jonathan Browning, British Cycling's new chairman, said: “The appointment of Dr Nigel Jones as the head of medical services for the Great Britain Cycling Team marks a further progression for British Cycling in ensuring we have the right people, structures and processes in place to provide our athletes with world-class medical services. Our mission is to make British Cycling one of the most respected NGBs in the world, and the structural changes we are implementing are an important step forward in achieving this.”
