Fremantle’s coaching structure for season 2017 has been finalised following the appointment of former Australian and Canadian national rowing coach Tom Morris to the new position of high performance manager – coaching.

His primary responsibility will be the ongoing education and development of the club’s coaching team to ensure they deliver the highest standard of coaching to the playing group.

Morris was a senior coach of the Canadian national rowing team, with his crew winning silver at the Rio Olympic Games and gold at the World Rowing Cup in Switzerland in May.

He has also previously been a senior coach on the Australian national rowing team, the WA State rowing team, high performance scholarship coach at the Australian Institute of Sport and talent identification and development coach at the WA Institute of Sport, coaching crews to medals at all international levels.

Morris, who was born and raised in Perth, holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Murdoch University and a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of WA.

He will report to general manager of football operations Chris Bond.

“We have done a lot of work on how best to ensure the ongoing growth, development and education of both our coaching team and playing group,” Bond said.

“We believe that securing a person of Tom’s calibre and expertise at elite level high performance coaching will play an important role in achieving that aim.

“Tom has worked with coaches and sports science staff at a national level in Australia and Canada preparing athletes for Olympic competition, where coaching of the highest standard is paramount in achieving success.

“He will work closely with our coaching team to be high performance coaches in their individual areas.

“Throughout the interview process Tom was a really impressive candidate and we believe he has the potential to make a real impact at the club.”

Morris said the new role would provide the opportunity for him to engage his passion, training and experience in high performance competition.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with the coaching team at Fremantle and to add a positive new dimension to the program with the aim of further developing standards within the coaching group to ensure that both athletes and coaches are fully supported in the pursuit of peak performance,” Morris said.

“I’ve been fortunate to work in high performance environments in both Australia and Canada and understand what it takes to succeed as a coach at the highest levels of sport.”

Morris said he was impressed with the commitment Fremantle has towards growth and success.

“There is an excellent team of coaches already in place at the club and I look forward to sharing my experiences and coaching knowledge with them in pursuit of sustainable growth and success for the club and its supporters,” he said.

After almost a decade living and working away from Perth, Morris was also looking forward to returning home.

“It’s where I grew up, and those who are from the West know its appeal never fades, no matter how far careers may take us,” he said.

“It means a great deal to my wife, LeAnn and I to be able to be close to family, to support Western Australian sport again and to work with the football team that I’ve supported since its inception.”

In addition to Morris, senior coach Ross Lyon’s coaching team will include assistant coaches Simon Eastaugh (midfield), David Hale (forward line), Michael Prior (back line), Anthony Rock (midfield), Mark Stone (stoppages and training coordinator), senior development coach Marc Webb and development coaches Brent Guerra and Roger Hayden.