Press Release courtesy of Swim England
Swim England has announced the first four coaches who will head out to the Gold Coast in April for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Dave McNulty, Graeme Smith, Mel Marshall and Jol Finck will join Team England swimmers on the plane in spring.
This comes following the announcement of the first 15 athletes to make the swimming team earlier this month.
A wealth of experience in world-class performance
For McNulty, this will be his fifth consecutive Commonwealth Games selection for Team England. He has coached for England at every Games since Manchester 2002.
At Glasgow 2014, his group of swimmers from Bath won 15 medals. He is also one of the most successful British Olympic coaches, with five swimmers winning six medals over the last three Olympic Games.
Commenting on his selection, McNulty said: “It’s always a huge honour and a privilege to represent England at a Commonwealth Games.
“To not only take on the very best athletes in the Commonwealth, but to also go head-to-head with Australia on their turf, makes this one a great competition to look forward to and relish. This is really what it’s all about.”
Marshall and Finck will be heading into their second Commonwealth Games, after making their Team England coaching debuts at Glasgow 2014. They are coaches to two of the best swimmers in the world at the moment, Adam Peaty and James Guy.
Finck commented: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to once again support the Swim England team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as a member of the coaching team.
“Given the success of our English swimmers at the recent World Championships and Olympic Games, we will head out to Australia next year with high hopes for success. As always, the Games will be conducted in a competitive, yet friendly manner, and I look forward to supporting the team towards their goals”.
Smith to coach Para-Swimming team
Smith is the British Para-Swimming National Coach, based at the National Performance Centre in Manchester.
He is an Olympic bronze medallist and has played athlete support roles at the Olympic Games. Smith has also managed athletes such as Rebecca Adlington and Keri-anne Payne. This gives him an intimate knowledge of supporting athletes as well as a proven track record of high-performance coaching.
Smith said: “It’s a great honour and I’m proud to have been selected as one of the swimming coaches for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“I look forward to working with the rest of coaches, support staff and athletes to best prepare the team both prior to and during the meet.”
Commenting on the coach selections, Head Coach Kevin Renshaw said: “I am delighted with the first coaching selections we have made for the Team England swimming team heading to the Gold Coast next year.
“They are coaches that have very good experience behind them and all know what it takes to win medals at the highest level. All are strong characters who exhibit all the characteristics and behaviours required to help Team England achieve their goals on the Gold Coast in April.”
Finck, McNulty, Smith and Marshall are four of nine members of the support team announced today.
