Swimming NSW Coach Connection

Coach Ron McKeon has lived and breathed swimming from a very early age. He is a 2 time Olympic athlete that transferred his talents to coaching. His journey starts as a scholarship coach at the AIS with Master Coach Bill Sweetenham and extends through establishing his own swim school in Wollongong, coaching the West Illawarra Club, placing swimmers on to Australian Teams (and himself) and the Father/Coach relationship with his son David and daughter Emma...and lots in between!

Part 2: We are taken on Australian Coach Shannon Rollason's journey as he prepares his athletes for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games where his athlete Jodie Henry wins the ultimate prize - Gold. He discusses the up's and down's of the preparation and having two athletes on the team that win Gold - Alice Mills and Jodie in the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay and Jodie winning the Women's 100m Freestyle and how this can relate to Club coaching.

In this episode world renowned coach Simon Cusack talks about his early days and how he got involved in coaching. Coming from a coaching family of three generations Simon worked extremely hard to earn the success he has accumulated. His work with Cate & Bronte Campbell from a very early age has been a remarkable journey for all...albeit not always a smooth one...overcoming obstacles at every turn. From his early days as a Junior Coach at the Indooroopilly Swimming Club in Brisbane to success at the Olympic Games... A three time ASCTA and Swimming Australia Coach of the Year his story is far reaching and one I know you will enjoy!

Coach Shannon Rollason chats with Ben, Jon and Robby about his coaching career with a focus on when he started coaching and his early days. Shannon talks about his years as Head Coach of Chandler SC (1993-2004) that he turned into a powerhouse. Some of the awards he earned during this time were:

• Brisbane Club Champions 1996, 98, 99, 2004;
• Australian Open Club Champions 1996;
• Australian Age Club Champions 2002;
• Australian Age Coach of the Year 1999, 2001, 2002;
• Australian Coach of the Year 2004

With so much experience and knowledge to share this will be the first of three episodes with Shannon...

In this episode Coach Matt Brown chats with Coach Shannon Rollason and Coach Simon Cusack about his development as a coach from his early days as a swimmer and on his progression into the coaching ranks. Matt talks about his journey thus far, his early days as a coach, his 18 years at Trinity Grammar School then making the decision to change and take up his new position at the SOPAC Swimming Club.