SUNRAYSIA Academy of Sport swimmers have gained insights into their development thanks to an Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete.
Former Australian swimmer and renowned coach Josh Beaver spent last weekend in Mildura working with 19 academy swimming members and other invited youngsters for the final coaching clinic of the current program.
Beaver won 200m Backstroke silver, 100m Backstroke bronze, and 4x100m Medley relay silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, before adding another bronze in the 200m Backstroke in 2018.
The 32-year-old was the previous head coach at Bayside Swimming Club, and now works as an assistant in the Swimming Australia High Performance Hub at MSAC and assistant coach at Caulfield Aquatics.
The two-day clinic run by Beaver and SAS swimming coach Josh Barila included multiple sessions in the pool adjusting techniques, including diving training and tactical stroke work, as well as multiple education sessions.
Academy executive officer Zac Pullman said it was an exciting weekend for all involved.
“For our last clinic session to conclude the program we always want to try and do something a bit bigger and get an extra coach there,” he said.
“All credit goes to Josh Barila who was able to bring Josh Beaver down, and he was brilliant.
We had all 19 swimming program athletes and we invited a few others to take part as well. There were four sessions in the pool, as well as couple of education sessions which also covered more about his journey and the path he took to be a member of Olympic and Commonwealth games teams.
“Our program always leads into nationals time which is in a couple of weeks so while there’s still some gym sessions to go, the pool program is finished up.
“It was also great to see a number of parents there as well being involved and taking on board what Josh had to say. A number of them are either helping coach or looking to do so.
“His enthusiasm is at such a high level and he really engaged with the athletes and he got a lot out of them.”
For more information on the Sunraysia Academy of Sport, email eo@sunraysiaacademyofsport.com.au.
