Swimming New Zealand names new head coach

Kiwi swimmer Lauren Boyle.

American Jerry Olszewski has been appointed Swimming New Zealand's new head coach.
He takes over the role from Clive Power, who has been acting head for the last year, in September.

Olszewski is currently head coach and chief executive of the Arizone Gold swimming organisation he founded, and is former head coach at Scottsdale Aquatic Club and King Aquatic Club near Seattle.

Olszewski has focussed primarily on the development of swimmers through to college level, and has been responsible for identifying and developing a significant number of swimmers to Olympic trials, US and other national teams and to Olympic medals.

There were five swimmers from his club in the recent US Olympic trials, one on the American team and two others on foreign national teams.

"We believe Jerry's credentials ideally fit the needs for high performance swimming in New Zealand," said SNZ chief executive Christian Renford, who added that they had received more than 30 applications for the position from around the globe and New Zealand.
"Jerry has significant success creating and building programmes, and implementing a performance culture where they have prospered to international level.

"He also has a great understanding of the high performance environment needed to make this happen, and is hugely passionate about swimming and nurturing young people to reach their full potential."

Olszewski said he is excited to take on the role and move to New Zealand.
"It's a real honour but I am under no illusions that it is a significant challenge and I hope to bring some of the things that have been successful for me into the New Zealand environment," he said.

His five key mantras are team culture, expectation, consistency, work ethic and attention to detail.

"I want to set the expectation of what the group brings to each individual and what each individual brings to the group. I will be setting expectations and not settling for anything less than their best.

"Obviously I am looking forward to working with some great staff and also with swim clubs and coaches around New Zealand to help create an environment where we can develop successful swimmers and good young people for years and Olympiads to come."