That elite status is something the man replacing Mutsaers has personally achieved.

Former Australian kayaker Glenn Singleton — who paddled to first place in the K2 1000m at the 2003 World Cup — started his role as the academy’s new executive officer yesterday.

“I’m just looking forward to the challenge of it and looking forward to helping the kids get the best out of themselves and their life,” he said.

Singleton is a former Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athlete.

He is still involved in the VIS as a mentor, a volunteer position.

“It’s just working with any athletes day to day, being like a big brother to them,” he said. “The door’s always open for me there.”

Yesterday the door was left open at the academy for Mutsaers, now a business development officer, as he helped Singleton settle into his new role.

Mutsaers said family and timing led to him stepping down from the position.

The new executive officer, a keen surf lifesaver who is approaching his 18th season with Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club, said he was looking forward to becoming involved in the south-west community.

He is already familiar with several residents in the region, such as former national kayaker Mark Rantall.

The academy — which has catered for almost 300 promising young athletes — has just received applications for cycling, golf and table tennis.

Applications for tennis and athletics are submitted later in the year.

Mutsaers became the executive officer in 2006 after two years of voluntary work as a member of the board of management.

He is looking forward to having more time to watch his own children play sport.