The Ottawa Redblacks have created two new positions on their medical and training staff as part of a reinforced focus on keeping athletes healthy and available throughout the season.
Beginning in 2026, Gerry Townend will join the team as director of medical services, while Chris Schwarz has been appointed as the new director of high performance. Both men have extensive experience in the field and have previously worked for the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
“With incredible support from our ownership, I’m proud to welcome Gerry and Chris to our organization in these newly created roles. We’re always looking for ways to evolve and enhance the support we provide our players, and feedback is an important part of that process,” vice president of football operations Shawn Burke said in a statement. “These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in top-tier medical and performance resources. Gerry and Chris bring tremendous experience that will help us continue to build an environment focused on player care, availability and long-term success throughout the season.”
Townend has been with the Senators for 23 years and is currently the team’s director of sport medicine after previously holding the title of head athletic therapist. The Brock University graduate also has previous CFL experience, having spent 10 seasons as the head athletic therapist for the Toronto Argonauts from 1992 until 2002. He co-owns the Sports Medicine Centre alongside Hockey Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson, which offers various medical services to athletes in the Ottawa area.
In his new role, Townend will lead the club’s medical operations with a primary focus on player health and medical care, helping ensure players receive the best available care through the integration of athletic therapy and physician services. His focus will be on ensuring the organization is delivering consistent, informed and proactive care that supports player availability throughout offseason preparation and the CFL season.
Schwarz worked for the Senators for 13 seasons from 2009 until 2022 as the club’s strength and conditioning coach, after previously holding the same title for two seasons with the New York Islanders. He is currently the owner of Fitquest, a high-performance training organization with locations in Kanata and Ottawa.
In his new role, Schwarz will work with the strength and conditioning staff to design and implement comprehensive offseason and in-season training programs. His responsibilities will also include supporting return-to-play protocols and rehabilitation planning, with an emphasis on optimizing performance while reducing injury risk over the course of the CFL season.
The Redblacks had the second-most man-games lost to injury in 2025 with 281, a total which included franchise quarterback Dru Brown being limited to nine starts. After the season, Burke told the media that the team would closely examine all aspects of the organization in order to facilitate greater availability.
Ottawa finished fourth in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Dru Brown went 2-7 over nine starts at quarterback, throwing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Dustin Crum went 2-4 over six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Redblacks ranked sixth in net offence, fifth in net defence, and ninth with a turnover differential of minus-16. The club’s leading rusher was William Stanback with 698 yards, the leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and the leading tackler was Adarius Pickett with 84 tackles. Ottawa finished eighth in attendance with average crowds of 18,136, which was a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous year.
