After guiding New Zealand’s para-cycling programme to multiple Paralympic and world medals, Brendon Cameron will depart as head performance coach to become the women’s endurance track cycling coach with Cycling New Zealand.

Over his six years with Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), Cameron had helped accelerate the progression and success of the programme, which won three Paralympic medals, including one gold, six world champion jerseys and 25 world championship medals, and also three world records under his leadership.

“It was a very tough decision for me because the para-cycling programme is something I’ve grown from the ground-up and has been a huge part of both my life,” Cameron said.

“But a key part of that work has been to establish the high performance programme to provide pathways for para-cyclists, bring expertise into the system and to ensure a succession plan.

“There is never a perfect time for these things, but this opportunity to take up this new challenge was too good to pass.”

Cameron has a huge pedigree in the sport for the past three decades, competing in the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympics before becoming personal coach to Sarah Ulmer, culminating in her Olympic gold medal at Athens 2004.

Cameron is the only cycling coach in New Zealand history to have personally coached both a Paralympic and Olympic gold medallist. Although he is stepping down, Cameron will continue to coach and support the tandem pairing of Emma Foy and Laura Thompson as they target the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“Not only has Brendon produced Paralympians and world champions, he has also ensured the long term success of the para-cycling programme with the numerous para-athletes who are now part of our development squads and working towards becoming future Paralympians,” Malcolm Humm, PNZ’s high performance director, said.