CORK is pleased to announce the appointment of Tommy Wharton as our new General Manager effective 26 February, 2024. Mr. Wharton is currently on the Board of Directors for KidSport Canada and KidSport Ontario. In past roles, Tommy has been the Senior Project Lead at the Ontario Sport Network and has held the posts of Director of Sailing at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, and Director, High Performance Sport at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario. He brings with him a long history of involvement within best-in-class sailing and one-design regatta management at the Club, Provincial, and National levels, as an athlete, coach, administrator, parent, volunteer, and Senior Executive. Tommy’s experience extends internationally, having been both a National Team Athlete and a Coach for Sail Canada, coaching Team Canada at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Tommy coached at 14 World Championships, was Head Sailing Coach at the RCYC for seven years and was twice nominated as Canadian Coach of the Year (winning in 2000). As an athlete, Tommy was a National Team member in 1997 and 2001 in the Laser Class (ILCA 7).
Jamie Fraser, Board Chair, noted that “We are very happy to have secured the services of Tommy as our General Manager. His enthusiasm and ideas are obvious and will be a great addition to the CORK team as we rebuild our hosting of international championships and expansion of the all-round experience for athletes, coaches, and volunteers.”
Tommy reports; “I am extremely excited to be a part of the CORK organization and work with such an experienced Board of Directors and passionate volunteer team. CORK was an instrumental and transformative part of my own personal development, not just as an athlete but from the fact that it forged relationships and connections to a sport and sailing community that remain to this day. Going into its sixth decade, CORK still sets the bar for excellence in race management and best in class sailing experiences and engagement. My previous leadership roles within the sailing world have allowed me to understand the rich history and culture at CORK and the collaborative legacy it projects within the Canadian sailing community. I am ready to work with CORK’s many fantastic partners, generous sponsors, donors and stakeholders who contribute to making CORK’s high-profile regatta calendar a can’t miss event every year. I am eager for CORK to build on its role as a national and international leader for sailing development and I am really looking forward to applying my expertise and passion for sailing and contributing to CORK’s Mission and ambitious strategic direction.”
Please join us in welcoming Tommy to the CORK team, and if you want to reach out in person, he can be found at: sail@cork.org
