The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB) has announced that its current technical director, André Cats, will be leaving the organization as of March 1st.
Cats, who has been in his present role for over 5 years, will take over the position of director of top sport at the Dutch Olympic Committee/Dutch Sports Federation (NOC*NSF).
“With incredible pleasure and pride I have been technical director at the KNZB for the past five and a half years. Together with countless colleagues, athletes and volunteers, we have worked hard every day to improve our results. In most cases this has been successful – despite all the restrictions and measures – or else we have laid a foundation together to build on,” reads Cats’ statement on his departure.
“I will miss the KNZB, the various sports and especially all the people tremendously. I grew up in swimming pools and I owe a lot to swimming. I have held every position in the sport of swimming that you can imagine. Now I am really going to leave that familiar chlorine smell and that also feels a bit strange.
“From my new position at NOC*NSF and TeamNL I will of course follow the KNZB with great interest and help in all the steps that need to be taken to make swimming sports flourish even more beautifully.”
At the NOC*NSF, 53-year-old Cats will be responsible for nearly 70 top sport programs within the Netherlands, including infrastructure and funding.