John Bowden resigns as Cross Country and Road Selector

John Bowden has resigned from his position of cross country and road selector with Athletics New Zealand.

Bowden, who was also convenor of the selection panel, has been appointed to a newly created position of coach performance manager with Paralympics New Zealand.

The sub-four minute miler and representative at four world cross country championships says that he is looking forward to his new job with Paralympics.

"I will not have the time to give justice to the role as a selector. It has been a privilege to have been a selector for the last 12 years," said Bowden.

"It's time to get a fresh perspective on performance and selection matters," he added.

Bowden was elected off as a track and field selector last July but at this year's Athletic New Zealand annual general meeting last month was re-elected for a seventh two year term as a cross country and road selector.

A coach of a number of top athletes, Bowden will continue to assist the sport in this role.

"Coming off the selection panel frees me up to concentrate on high performance coaching, it is a passion I have and I look forward to continuing," he said. 

The board of Athletics New Zealand will discuss a replacement for Bowden at their monthly meeting in Wellington this Friday.