Top-class swim coach fills gap for director

SWIM IRELAND’S search for a permanent High Performance Director will continue despite the appointment of English coach Terry Denison as an interim consultant.

Denison, who coached Olympic gold medallist Adrian Moorehouse, has accepted the role as High Performance Consultant to Swim Ireland as the search continues to find a full-time coach to fill the Director’s role.

Swim Ireland has been looking for a High Performance Director since Australian Barry Prime accepted the post last April and then decided against taking the role.

Swim Ireland’s Chief Executive, Sarah Keane admitted that the process was proving slower than envisaged.

“In order to meet the current needs of Irish Swimming, we have sought to implement an interim measure to help progress performance swimming in this country,” she said, adding that: “we are delighted that Terry has agreed to be involved in Irish swimming in this capacity.”

Denison is hopeful that he can assist Irish swimming in the short term.

“Swim Ireland’s CEO, Sarah Keane, has a clear vision for advancing the standards of Irish swimming and is being well supported by the Irish Sports Council,” he said.

“I feel honoured to have been asked to help with this project for the coming months and I am looking forward to working with the Irish coaches and swimmers in creating the right environment for swimming excellence in Ireland.”

Denison, a past Head Coach of the City of Leeds club, is chairman of the British Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association, and has worked with Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic medallists.

He was the British Swimmer’s Coach Association Coach of the Year on ten occasions and in 1998 he received the British Swimmers Coach and Teachers Association award of Coaching Excellence. He has also received an MBE for Services to British Swimming.

Denison has worked in the past with Leinster Swimming and, according to Swim Ireland is eager to work with Irish swimmers and coaches to help create a professional environment nationwide.

According to Swim Ireland Chairman, Tony Farrell, the organisation is delighted Denison has agreed to work with Irish swimming with the aim of moving Irish performance swimming forward and assisting in the creation of a more structured approach to the development of our athletes.

“However, I will emphasise that the appointment of a full-time Performance Director is still a key priority for Swim Ireland,” he added.