Two Bath-based coaches are amongst the first selections for the Gold Coast 2018 swimming support team for Team England, chosen to head out to the Commonwealth Games in April next year.
Jol Finck (Photo courtesy of Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com) and Dave McNulty
Dave McNulty and Jol Finck, who both coach at Bath National Centre, have been selected to accompany the swimmers heading out to the Commonwealth Games in April.
They will be joined by Bath-based physiotherapist Jane Carre and sports scientist Claire Lobb.
For McNulty, this will be his fifth consecutive Commonwealth Games selection for Team England, having coached for every Games since Manchester 2002. At Glasgow 2014, his group of swimmers from Bath won 15 medals.
He is arguably one of the most successful British Olympic coaches, with five swimmers winning six medals over the last three Olympic Games.
Commenting on his selection, McNulty said: “It’s always a huge honour and a privilege to represent England at a Commonwealth Games.
“To not only take on the very best athletes in the Commonwealth, but to also go head to head with Australia on their turf, makes this one a great competition to look forward to and relish. This is really what it’s all about.”
Finck will be heading into his second Commonwealth Games, after making his debut coaching appearance at Glasgow 2014. He coaches one of the top swimmers in the world, Olympic and World medallist James Guy, who has thrived on the international stage over the last few years.
Finck commented: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to once again support the Swim England team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as a member of the coaching team.
“Given the success of our English swimmers at the recent World Championships and Olympic Games, we will head out to Australia next year with high hopes for success. As always, the Games will be conducted in a competitive, yet friendly manner, and I look forward to supporting the team towards their goals”.
Carre’s role on the Gold Coast will be Lead Physiotherapist. She currently works as an EIS (English Institute of Sport) Senior Physiotherapist, and also works at the National Centre with the GB team.
She has good experience of supporting athletes at this level, having worked on the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as a physiotherapist.
Lobb will act as Lead Sports Scientist for the Team England swimming team. She is an integral part of the British Swimming team and has performed the role of Sports Scientist at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as well as numerous World and European Championships.
Although she has a wealth of experience supporting GB internationally, this will be her first Commonwealth Games.
McNulty, Finck, Carre and Lobb are four of the nine support staff that have been announced. This comes off the back of the announcement of the first 15 swimming athletes earlier this month.
The remaining coaches and athletes will be selected following the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017 taking place between the 13th-17th December. The final team will be announced later this year.
Commenting on the coach selections, Head Coach Kevin Renshaw said: “I am delighted with the first coaching selections we have made for the Team England swimming team heading to the Gold Coast next year.
“They are coaches that have very good experience behind them and all know what it takes to win medals at the highest level. All are strong characters who exhibit all the characteristics and behaviours required to help Team England achieve their goals on the Gold Coast in April.”
Sports Science and Medicine Lead Diane Elliot added: “The team we have appointed brings together a wealth of experience in swimming, and also from other sports.
“The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will provide a great opportunity for staff currently working within the Swim England Talent pathway to develop themselves, and learn about the team behaviours that are required at a major multi-sport event.”
