Zac Stubblety-Cook is beginning the new Olympic quad with a move from Brisbane to the Gold Coast to train under Mel Marshall’s group at Griffith University, according to Australian journalist Ian Hanson.
Marshall, who’s making a move for the quad herself, is best known for coaching Adam Peaty. After the 2024 Olympics, she left her Lead Coach position in Loughborough, UK, to coach down under.
Stubblety-Cook told SwimSwam that he feels he needs a change. For his last two Olympic cycles, he swam under veteran coach Vince Raleigh in Brisbane. Under Raleigh, he won his first Olympic gold medal in the 200 breaststroke in Tokyo. In 2022, he broke the 200 breaststroke world record, swimming a 2:05.95.
This summer at the Paris Olympics, he captured a silver medal in the 200 breaststroke despite a neck injury leading up to the games and catching COVID-19 in Paris.
Although he’s had consistent success in the 200, he didn’t compete in the 100 or the men’s medley relay in Paris after placing 3rd at Australian Olympic Trials. His new coach, Marshall, has a lot of credibility in sprint breaststroke from Peaty’s career. Additionally, Marshall has experience coaching Australian Olympians from her head coach position at the London Roar. The now-defunct ISL team had several Australian athletes.
Stubblety-Cook will be joining the likes of Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon and Lani Pallister at Griffith University.
May see a (few) Dutch breaststroker(s) head there soon…
Anyone know how long Boxall is on a break for?
Given it was unlikely that ZSC was leaving QLD, this seems like a logical move. The Griffith squad will look very different though – sounds like Lani is looking at some overseas options currently and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her end up in the states somewhere. Kaylee may also look for other options too.
I think Ceccon will also go to Australia in January and it is very likely that it will be with this group.
He Will be here about six months.
Why is Australia employing all of our GB coaches? Ben Higson, Mel Marshall, Dave McNulty? We didn’t have the greatest Olympics. But the Aussies did! Are the coaches looking for sunshine then retirement? I’m all for that!
Dave mcnulty?!
Yes. He flew down there last week. Sydney I think.We will have no coaches left
He won’t be joining Emma McKeon at Griffith – she has retired.
I think she’s had her last Olympics but don’t think she’s actually retired just yet
https://swimswam.com/australias-most-decorated-olympian-emma-mckeon-announces-retirement/ Looks pretty retired to me
Pretty sure Aus swimmers have to pretend the intend to swim for a bit after the Olympics for financial reasons.
It’s why a lot stay on for an extra comm games.
maybe thats what Emily Seebohm has been doing?
You think “financial reasons” will force Emma to keep swimming?
Just pretend she’s not retired until trials next year so she can collect the medal bonus
So is that comm games actually happening lol
Oh yeah haha good point.
Yep, Glasgow, Scotland are now hosting.
They are! In Scotland.