Legendary Australian coach to guide swimming in South Island

The man who guided Australia to swimming glory will now set his sights on steering the sport in the South Island.

Swimming New Zealand, in partnership with the Academy of Sport South, has appointed renowned Australian coach Don Talbot to a 12-month contract to mentor coaches in the South Island.

Talbot, who has coached swimmers to more than 100 Olympic medals, will help coaches in the South Island to develop age group talent and to nurture the best through to higher honours.

Swimming New Zealand believe there is considerable talent in the South Island that is not being realised. There is currently no South Island swimmers in the 10-strong team to compete at this year’s World Championships and there were none in the Beijing Olympics swim team.

Back in the 1970s and 80s, swimmers from Canterbury and Otago were the strength of the sport with the likes of Danyon Loader, Lydia Lipscombe, Anna Simcic and Jaynie Parkhouse among several others who led the country.

SNZ’s general manager performance and pathways, Jan Cameron believes Talbot will offer invaluable guidance for coaches in the South Island.

She said the regions in the South had a similar talent spread as the North but few swimmers have progressed beyond age-group level.

"The talent is there, but we need to provide mentoring and assistance for the coaches," Cameron said. “We know from our age group results that there are pockets of excellent swim programmes throughout the South Island.

“Our coaches need help and support to guide the swimmers so they can clearly see the pathway from age group through to open competition and on to international level and ultimately the Olympics.

“I believe there are swimmers currently in the South Island who could be on the New Zealand team for the 2016 Olympics.

“We are extraordinarily fortunate to have someone of Don’s proven ability to provide the guidance for coaches and their swimmers in the South Island.”

Talbot is a legend in swimming having coached Australian swimmers to Olympic glory and world records for more than 20 years before moving to Canada to take up a role as national coach after becoming disillusioned with the lack of funding for the sport in Australia. He led Canada to their greatest success in the 80s before returning to take up the position of head coach of Australia following their demise.

Talbot led the Australian revival to their golden period throughout the 80s and 90s that included the establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport programme in 1980. He was head coach through to 2001 when Australia topped the gold medal tally at the world championships for the first time.

He will take up his post next month.