AFTER 38 years of coaching, Nyah Two Bays Swan Hill Swimming Club’s Shirley Swan will officially hang up her whistle in the next few weeks.
With nearly four decades of experience, the treasured coach has decided it was time to take a step, allowing swimmer Hayden Collins to take on the top job.
Over the years, Swan has seen the club, and region, transform many times.
From having a training pool built on a farm to relocating to the Leisure Centre, Swan has been there to see it all.
“Yes, I am sad to be stepping down, but I think it is time,” she said.
“I have seen some swimmers come from learn to swim classes and stay up until they were teenagers.”
It is this bond with her swimmers which has made the club a tight knit unit.
Swan remembers when it was established as a family club, with five in particular standing out.
She worked with them to teach the youngsters of the region how to swim to their best.
“Some had lots of potential and it was good working with them, taking swimmers to different carnivals,” she told The Guardian.
“It was all about the kids. I loved it … I am proud of the fact I never poached any swimmers, I always had them come to me.
“(It was simple) the harder the swimmers trained, the faster they would go.”
Swan will give the reins to new-comer Collins who will put his swimming experience to use as head coach.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (June 10, 2016).
