Nomination for ITU Paratriathlon Committee – Dr Debbie Alexander, Triathlon

In support of this nomination please see the information and brief curriculum vitae below outlining my personal achievements.

My interest in serving on this committee stems from my involvement and work with disabled persons in my own country, first as a nurse and later as a Clinical Psychologist. More recently, in my capacity as Psychologist on the SASCOC Medical Commission I had the honour and privilege of working with disabled athletes on the Operation Excellence programme and as the President of Triathlon South Africa with Paratriathletes on our High Performance programme. I enjoyed the athletes and found the contact and work most rewarding. I have also had the privilege of serving on this committee and although as a newcomer my contribution was minimal, I certainly learnt a great deal and feel more empowered to contribute in a meaningful way to developing the sport in my own country and others on the African Continent.

My goals are:

1.) To continue with the development of Paratriathlon in South Africa by:

Promoting and growing participation at provincial and national level; Identifying and recruiting potential athletes, coaches and technical officials; Developing athletes and coaches through our long term athlete development pathway and coaching framework; Building a broad athlete base across all six categories so that there are equal opportunities for participation, personal growth, recognition and reward; Preparing and developing athletes for participation in the Paralympic Games in 2016, 2020 and beyond; Developing elite performance across the disciplines; Increasing the number of events and building the profile of Paratriathlon in South Africa and on the continent; Providing opportunities for the education and training of Classifiers so that at all times the ethical principles of fair play are upheld; Educating technical officials so that at all times the ethical principles of safety and fair play are upheld; Assisting with research that will eventually provide for evidence based assessment of Classification; Working with SASCOC in preparation for the debut of Paratriathlon in the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

2.) To assist with the development of Paratriathlon on the African Continent as indicated above.

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CURRICULUM VITAE (Brief) DR DEBRA GERALDINE ALEXANDER (PhD)

PERSONAL DETAILS Address: 22 Waters Edge, Big Bay, Mobile: 083 270 827 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Marital Status: Married Children: 3 Nationality: South African

TERTIARY/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS PhD in Neuropsychology/Sport (UWC) – (2009) MSocSc in Clinical Psychology (Rhodes University) – (2002) MA in Research Psychology (UCT – to be completed) BSocSc (Hons) Degree (distinction) (UCT) (1998) Post Graduate Diploma for Educators of Adults – (UCT) (1987) BSocSc Degree (distinction in Psychology & Xhosa II) (UCT) (1997) Midwifery Diploma (distinction) – (Carinus Nursing College/Mowbray Maternity ) (1983) General Nursing Diploma (distinction) – (Carinus Nursing College) (1979)

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS PROFESSIONAL Academic: Faculty Board Member Medical and Health Sciences Faculty, (2009 to current) Health Research Ethics Committee Member Health Sciences Faculty, Stellenbosch University (2009 to current) Post Graduate Committee (Department Psychiatry) (2009 to current) MBChB Psychiatry Department Training Committee (2009 to current) Psychotherapy Committee (2009 to current) Foundation Phase MBCHB 1 Module Vice-Chair (2009 - current)

Academic awards: UCT Dean's Merit List (1996, 1997, 1998) Mowbray Maternity Hospital Gold Medal for Midwifery Hospital Certificate of Merit Gold Medal Captain Hare Gold Medal Cape Provincial Administration Award Nominated for Exploratio Award (1986)

Sport: President National Federation of Triathlon South Africa (2009 - current) Vice-President Triathlon South Africa (2006-2009) Ex-Officio member on all TSA Committees SA Sports Commission and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Medical and Anti-Doping Commission Committee member – Psychology representative (2009 to current) International Triathlon Union Para-Triathlon Committee member (2010 to current) SA Elite Triathlon Team Manager to Beijing* (not taken up due to hospitalization) TSA representative to ITU Congress in the Gold Coast Australia (2009) TSA representative to ITU Congress in Budapest (2010) Represented TSA at SRSA National Sports Indaba International Triathlon Union and African Triathlon Union task team for Strategic Planning for Africa Triathlon South Africa High Performance Policy and Procedure task team for sport development and Olympic preparation WP Triathlon Committee member (Technical) (2009) WP Triathlon Committee member - (Junior Representative) (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) SAQA Task Team – Unit Standard Development for Triathlon Coaching and Technical qualifications (2008 & 2009) Triathlon TSA Level 2 Referee, ITU Level 1 Technical Official at National, Continental Cup, Continental Championship and World Cup events (2006 – 2008)

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Sport awards: Winner of the South Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government Award, in the Sector Sport (2012/2013) Nominated for the Western Province Sports Award in Administration (2008)

EMPLOYMENT STATUS HOD: Principal Clinical Psychologist - Hospital (May 2008 to current) Academic Head: Clinical Psychology/Senior Lecturer – Medical and Health Sciences Faculty Stellenbosch University (2008 to current).

Responsibilities include: Management of clinical and academic services, teaching of undergraduate and post graduate medical and health sciences students and psychology students, clinical supervision of clinical psychologists and psychiatry registrars, research and clinical work. Clinical work involves work with adolescents, young adults and families in the areas of Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Neuropsychology and Sport. Research interests range from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Sport to Stress Management, Psychological Resilience, the Role of the Brain and Psychology in Performance and Adult Learning.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION/ MEMBERSHIP Health Professions Council of South Africa South African Clinical Neuropsychology Association Brain and Behaviour Society Western Cape Pinelands Neuropsychology Study Group PsySSA (Clinical) PsySSA (Health and Sport) PsySSA (Neuropsychology) Psychoanalytic Self Psychology Group South African Psychoanalytic Confederation Board of Health Care Funders Triathlon South Africa International Triathlon Union Western Province Triathlon Association Sport Science Institute of South Africa

SPORT AND RECREATION Running Cycling Water-skiing

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