Announcement of the members forming the Coaching Review Working Group
We are pleased to announce the Working Group members who will provide valuable insights throughout the Coaching Review to take place over the coming months.
As previously announced when seeking expressions of interest to be involved, the review has been designed to seek insights and feedback to help Swimming New Zealand provide greater support for coaches, whilst utilising a collective approach where coaches are involved in what support they need.
The scope of the Working Group includes:
Engagement, collaboration and communication platforms between coaches, regions and Swimming New Zealand
Clear pathway for coaches to get involved and develop throughout the sport
Education, safeguarding and qualifications to be a swim coach within New Zealand
Continual development for coaches within New Zealand
Recognition of coaching achievements at international, national, club and local levels
Systems to provide feedback to Swimming New Zealand and local regions
Challenges that coaches face in the current climate
You can learn more about the Coaching Review in the Terms of Reference.
The Working Group consists of ten coaches and four SNZ staff, with a diverse group selected that has a range of experience levels, rural/metro blend, different age squads and multi-class swimmers coached, gender and spread across the country. As part of the selection process, we were grateful to the coaches who voted on who they would like to represent the coaching community during the review, as this was crucial to forming the Working Group, in conjunction with ensuring we achieved the diversity stated in the Terms of Reference.
The Working Group is listed in the table below:
Name | Organisation | Appointed Role |
Willy Benson | Heretaunga Sundevils | Coach |
Tracy Breuer | Kiwi West Aquatics | Coach |
Greg Cummings | Liz van Welie Aquatics | Coach |
Alison Fitch | Hamilton Aquatics | Coach |
Glenn Hamblyn | Comet | Coach |
Brigitte Mahan | North Canterbury | Coach |
Ash Rankin | Alexandra & Cromwell | Coach |
Emma Smith | Aquagym | Coach |
Graham Smith | St Paul's | Coach |
Aidan Withington-Edwards | Swim Rotorua | Coach |
Cameron Leslie | Swimming NZ | Disability & Para Swimming Participation Manager |
Simon Mayne | Swimming NZ | Paralympic Programme Lead |
Graham Hill | Swimming NZ | Head Coach - Olympic |
Dale Johnson | Swimming NZ | Chair - Head of Participation, Competitions & Engagement |
Swimming NZ's Head of Participation, Competitions & Engagement, Dale Johnson, is looking forward to the review getting underway.
"We know that coaches have the biggest impact upon the participant experience in swimming. We have identified the need for this review to help us increase our support for coaches across the country, and I think this Working Group has a great range of experiences and perspectives that will benefit the discussions."
Johnson acknowledged those who have expressed interest to be involved.
"Thank you to the 18 coaches who expressed interest to be in the Working Group. Whilst we couldn't have everyone involved in the meetings, there will be opportunities for feedback provided to help us increase the support provided to our coaches moving forward."
The Coaching Review will be taking place over the coming months. We ask coaches to please keep an eye out for updates and ensure they get involved in providing feedback when the opportunity arises.
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