Elite Swim Coach Joins CBay Team

Internationally-recognised swim coach Roly Crichton joins the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre team in July as swim programmes head coach.

Mr Crichton has guided numerous top-ranked competitive swimmers across national junior, age group and open levels as well as placing athletes in New Zealand national teams competing internationally.

He is the personal coach of Sophie Pascoe, current world champion, double world record holder and triple gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Para-Olympics and was also swim coach to Andrea Hewitt, New Zealand 2012 Olympian and world number one ranked tri-athlete.

Timaru District Council recreation facilities manager Gary Easthope says he is “absolutely delighted” to announce Mr Crichton’s appointment.

“Timaru and the greater district is extremely fortunate to have attracted someone of Roly’s skill and experience to contribute to the CBay swimming development programme,” Mr Easthope said.

“Roly will have involvement throughout all the programmes, not only working with competitive swimmers, but also with CBay squads focused on other swim-related sports and general fitness.”

Mr Crichton will be coming to Timaru from his Christchurch City Council position as head coach of the QE2 swimming team for the last 11 years. In that time he has built that club to the number one junior club in New Zealand winning the distinction at this year’s national event, as well as leading the club in securing the club’s numerous medals at New Zealand national age group championships over the years.

He is the current New Zealand Paralympics team swim coach and winner of the New Zealand Coach of the Year award in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He was also shortlisted for the Halberg Awards in 2012.

Mr Crichton said today he was “really excited to be involved in such an exciting grassroots programme in a town with so much potential”.

“With such a fantastic complex in CBAY to base out of and with such a high quality learn to swim programme now being delivered by Jane (programme team leader Jane Sullivan) and the CBAY Learn 2 Swim team, the possibilities for swimming growth and success in the district are unlimited,” Mr Crichton said.

He will take up his position from July.

ENDS

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