New Zealand coach Power answers SOS

JOHN HAWKINS/Southland Times

BRAIN-STORMING: Swimming Southland development manager Aiden Withington talks with former New Zealand Swimming head coach Clive Power at Splash Palace.

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Clive Power has run the microscope over Southland's swimming clubs as the former New Zealand coach has answered an SOS to help boost the sport in the south.

Southland swimming coach Jeremy Duncan kick-started the initiative to bring in Power to help.

The retired coach last night spoke with various club officials outlining what he has done previously and also quizzed the Southland clubs on their current procedures.

From last night's brain-storming session Power will put forward some recommendations to the clubs regarding various systems they could trial.

Duncan said it was important that outside knowledge was brought in to help with ideas to both grow the participation numbers and upskill coaches.

"The clubs are run by volunteers and they do a great job with the limited resources they have. We need to do what we can to help them," Duncan said yesterday.

Duncan was coached by Power during his days as a competitive swimmer and Power also conducted a review of Duncan's coaching systems three years ago.

The Southland swimming coach said this experience with the former New Zealand head swimming coach prompted him to call on Power.

One aspect to the Southland Swimming setup that Duncan would like changed was the date the Southland swimming championships were held.

At the moment the meet is held in early February, which Duncan felt hindered the performance and participation of many youngsters, who may not have had a great buildup because of Christmas and New Year holidays.

Meanwhile, Duncan and five Southland swimmers will depart Invercargill today to take part in the New South Wales championships in Sydney.

Richard Harris, Natalie Wiegersma, Lisa Pankhurst, Adam McDonald and Michael Findlay will get the chance to test themselves against some of Australia's best.

The Southland quintet will return on Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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